What does discharge in women indicate?

Discharge in women: what they can signal

Discharge in women is a normal physiological process that helps cleanse the genital tract and protect the body from infections. However, when the discharge begins to change color, smell and cause discomfort, this may indicate the presence of various diseases.

Normal discharge in women

Normal discharge in women is clear, odorless and has a slightly viscous consistency. They help cleanse the genital tract and protect the body from infections. The amount of discharge may increase during the period of ovulation, during pregnancy, and, on the contrary, decrease when taking oral contraceptives.

What does the color of the discharge say?

Any changes in mucous discharge: color, quantity, presence of impurities and odor may indicate the presence of various diseases.

Light yellow, not abundant, but cloudy or white-streaked discharge at the end of the first half of the cycle may indicate an inflammatory process in the cervical canal (cervicitis) or its erosion in the initial stages. If the discharge is cloudy, more liquid and streaked with blood, this may indicate the appearance of neoplasms (polyp, cancer) on the cervix.

Yellow-green, mucous, profuse discharge with an unpleasant odor is often a sign of gardenellosis (bacterial vaginosis). This is vaginal dysbiosis, i.e. a condition in which the ratio of microorganisms normally living in the vagina is disrupted.

Thrush (vaginal candidiasis) is characterized not by mucous, but by flaky or curd-like discharge. They are white in color and have a sour odor.

Discharges due to inflammation of the uterine cavity, tubes and pelvis are mucopurulent in nature, with an unpleasant odor.

Discharge in women that is pink in color, looks like ichor, with an unpleasant odor that appears before or after menstruation may indicate the presence of chronic endometritis or endocervicitis.

The appearance of thin, watery discharge after or before menstruation, which takes on a dirty color on the pad, indicates chronic endocervicitis or chronic endometritis.

When should you contact a gynecologist?

If a woman’s discharge becomes unusual in nature, causes discomfort, has an unpleasant odor, or causes itching and burning, she should consult a gynecologist. The doctor will conduct an examination, identify possible causes of changes in the nature of the discharge and prescribe the necessary treatment.

It is also worth contacting a gynecologist if a woman’s discharge is accompanied by other symptoms, such as pain in the lower abdomen, fever, bleeding, etc.

It is important to remember that timely contact with a gynecologist helps prevent the development of possible diseases and preserve women's health.

Conclusions

Discharge in women is a normal physiological process that helps cleanse the genital tract and protect the body from infections. However, changes in the color, smell and nature of the discharge may indicate the presence of various diseases, so it is important to contact a gynecologist if any unusual symptoms occur. Regular visits to the gynecologist help maintain women's health and prevent possible diseases.