White discharge: Is it normal? Its types, causes, and treatment.
White discharge is a very common and regular phenomenon that can be seen in almost all women. Most of you also know it as a vagina discharge. But sometimes they can also indicate an infection. Abnormal discharge may be yellow or green, which may be due to women’s physical changes.
Bacterial infections and hormonal changes usually cause abnormal discharge. Consult your doctor when you have a discharge that looks unusual or smells bad.
What is white discharge?
Let’s first discuss what is it? White discharge is the lighter or heavier liquid which is constant presence in women who menstruate. It started few months before the first period comes.
According to Wikipedia
Vaginal discharge is a mixture of liquid, cells, and bacteria that lubricate and protect the vagina. This mixture is constantly produced by the cells of the vagina and cervix, and it exits the body through the vaginal opening. The composition, amount, and quality of discharge varies between individuals and can vary throughout the menstrual cycle and throughout the stages of sexual and reproductive development.
The facts which include the white discharge are –
- menstrual cycle
- hormones
- pregnancy
- infections
You should know more about white discharge like its causes, medical treatment and home care. Understand your physical changes and find out what is normal.
Although it may be normal, everyone doesn’t need to do so. Changes in your daily life give you information about it.
Different type of vaginal discharge
Vaginal discharge occurs in many different types, which are classified based on their colour and consistency, which you can easily compare and understand. Some types of discharge are common which you will see at normal hours. If you do not feel right, then you can take treatment.
Watery and clear
This type of discharge you can see in your daily life, discharge of clear water is completely normal. Usually, all women have experience this type of discharge in their daily life. It may be especially heavy after exercise.
White
According to doctors, it is normal for women to have white discharge at the beginning or end of menstruation. But if there is an itching-like problem with this discharge or it has a thick crust-like appearance, it is not normal and requires treatment. This type of infection is very fatal and affects your genitals and sexual life.
Stretchy
White discharge is a common phenomenon but if it is a stretchy rather than water, it indicates that you are likely ovulating. This is also the normal type of discharge.
Bloody brown
Brown or bloody discharge during menstruation is a common thing but the problem is when it is happening continuously. At the end of menstruation, this discharge may look brown instead of red. Women may also experience small amounts of bloody discharge between periods. This is called spotting. This is also quite normal and does not be worried about it.
If you have recently had sex without protection during spotting, it can lead to pregnancy. But spotting in pregnancy is a sign of miscarriage, it is not normal so consult your doctor.
Brown or bloody discharge endometrial may be a sign of cancer for you.
Light yellow with green shade
This may be unique to you, but it is not common if you have a yellow or green discharge, it is thick, or as an odour. This infection can be in the form of trichomoniasis. It usually spreads through sexual intercourse so always have safe sex and enjoy it with your partner to the fullest.
How to know whether discharge is normal or abnormal
Sometimes it become difficult to understand whether the white discharge is normal or abnormal. So, to overcome from this confusion, I made this table. With the help of this table you can easily classified which type of discharge is normal and which type of discharge is abnormal.
| Healthy white discharge | Abnormal white discharge |
| Clear and whitish is colour | Changes is consistency |
| Slight odor that isn’t strong smelling | Appears yellow, green or gray and also is brown or blood-stained. |
| Can leave a yellowish tint on your underwear | Resembles cottage cheese in color and consistency and you have vaginal itchiness |
| Changes in consistency throughout menstrual | Looks foamy or frothy and has strong smell of fish, yeast or another odor |
Reason of white discharge
Vaginal discharge is the function of a healthy body. Because it is a good way of cleaning and protecting the vagina of women. It is normal to increase discharge with sexual excitement because our vaginal exacerbations are very high at that time. Exercise, use of birth control pills and emotional stress can also cause discharge.
Trichomoniasis
Trichomoniasis is a very common infection; this infection is caused by a single-celled organism. Infections are caused by unusual sexual contact but can be prevented by cleaning springs. It causes yellow or green discharge with a foul smell. Pain, swelling, and itching are also common symptoms, but not necessarily with everyone.
Bacterial infection
Bacterial vaginosis is a bacterial infection that can occur to anyone. It is the cause of your vaginal discharge that has a strong odour that tells you a physical disorder. But it can be completely normal so that you do not have to face trouble. Women who have sexual intercourse or who have multiple contacts with multiple partners are at increased risk of getting this infection.
Cervical cancer
Cervical cancer infection from sexual contact is common, but if you contact more than one partner, then it causes it to spread.
It is a form of cancer which is responsible for carrying out bloody or watery discharge with an unpleasant odour. It is also known as HPV, this test can easily check for cervical cancer.
Doctor’s appointment when you need
If you are ever looking for abnormal vaginal discharge, you should do a pelvic exam. Tell your doctor about the symptoms, your menstruation and your sexual activity so that he/she can understand your discomfort better and give you quick relief.
Most doctors can take samples of your cervix to check for HPV or cervical cancer, as well as your discharge can also be examined under microscopy.
Home care must for you
Practising good hygiene keeps you away from infection as well as wear breathable cotton underwear that does not cause itching problems and make you feel comfortable.
Practice safe sex with your partner and always use condoms to avoid contact with STIs.
How to treated the abnormal discharge
The treatment of the vagina discharge depends on the what’s causing the problem. For example – If you are suffering from yeast infections then you are usually treated with antifungal medications. You have to insert this medicine into the vagina in cream or gel form.
In the same way, if you are suffering from bacterial vaginosis then you are usually treated with antibiotic pills or creams. Trichomoniasis is usually treated with the drug metronidazole (Flagyl) or tinidazole (Tindamax).
Along with these, here we give you some tips for preventing vaginal infections that can lead to abnormal discharge:
- You should always clean your vagina by washing it with the warm water. No need to use the soap.
- Never use scented soap feminine products or douche.
- Always wear 100% cotton underpants.