Health Desk- Vaginal discharge of women and girls entering puberty from adolescence is the hallmark of womanhood. Normal discharge is a sign of good health of the female vagina. But in some circumstances the same discharge may be abnormal which indicates their poor health and may indicate a latent disease.
Let us know in detail-
When a girl enters puberty from adolescence, her body undergoes many changes. These changes are also visible in the form of some secretions along with the development of body parts. In the absence of sex education, adolescent girls are unable to understand whether this discharge is normal or abnormal even after standing on the stage of puberty. Along with this, she also does not understand how to recognize normal and abnormal vaginal discharge?
So today we will try to explain in detail about normal and abnormal vaginal discharge through this article, how normal and abnormal vaginal discharge can be recognized?
What is vaginal discharge?
When every girl enters puberty from adolescence, her private body and genitals begin to develop. In the process of this development, the development of the internal organs of the girl and along with it, fluid secretion from these organs also starts. At that stage many girls get worried and try to find the reason for the discharge. Actually, this discharge is the normal discharge coming out of the vagina of the girl, which is called vaginal discharge.
The flexible and round tube-shaped part from the mouth of the uterus to the cervix is called the vagina. To maintain the health of this vagina and keep it flexible, it contains a natural fluid which is produced and controlled by a hormone called estrogen.
What is normal discharge?
Vaginal discharge is a normal process. Therefore, if there is no other problem with it, then it is considered as a normal discharge. Actually, this secretion is the natural process of the woman to keep herself healthy and clean internally by the body. This discharge is odorless, white and watery liquid. When this discharge from the vagina releases eggs from the ovary, then there is a little more secretion which is called ovulation discharge.
Sometimes this secretion flows in excess due to excessive exercise, due to stress or even after taking birth control pills. But this is also considered as normal secretion because if the above is controlled then the amount of secretion automatically decreases.
What is the hallmark of normal vaginal discharge?
Did you know that recognizing vaginal discharge is as important as breast self-exam? A self-examination can help you detect abnormal vaginal discharge earlier. With which you can soon turn to the treatment of abnormal discharge. In this case, the discharge coming out of the vagina is abnormal. For this you need to know the identity of normal discharge.
How to know vaginal discharge is normal?
1. Colour and Fluidity-
The normal discharge from the vagina is very clear and watery. It is also transparent. It can come out anytime after you do heavy exercise. If there is any difference in the color and fluidity of your discharge then this discharge may be abnormal.
2. Quantity of secretion-
Under normal circumstances, the discharge coming out of your vagina is slightly higher till just before ovulation or the start of menstruation. At the same time, after a day or two, it starts decreasing. Apart from this, your vagina may produce a little more discharge than normal even at the time of arousal during sexual intercourse. This is a completely normal discharge. There is no need to worry about this in any way.
3. The smell of discharge-
The hallmark of healthy and normal discharge coming out of the vagina is that it does not have any special kind of smell, in other words, normal discharge does not have any smell. The discharge that accompanies the odor is not normal and can be in excess.
What is abnormal vaginal discharge?
Abnormal vaginal discharge is when there is a change in any or all of the color, smell and quantity of vaginal discharge. Abnormal vaginal discharge indicates that there is a problem or infection in your genitals or uterus. Along with this, if you have complaints of itching and excessive discharge in your vagina, then in such a situation you should immediately get a vaginal examination done by a qualified doctor.
How to distinguish normal and abnormal vaginal discharge?
There are several methods to distinguish between normal and abnormal vaginal discharge. You can find out by trying this like-
1. What is the colour of the discharge?
Abnormal vaginal discharge is not caused by soap coming out of the vagina and due to them any of the following can happen like
- Dark-coloured or brownish-
This colour discharge from the vagina occurs when menstruation is irregular or there is a problem like cancer in the uterus or stomach. Along with this, there is also pain in the genitals, then it can definitely be a matter of trouble.
- Yellow discharge-
When there is any kind of infection in the bladder, yellowish discharge comes out from the vagina. Along with this, pain in the genitals, the problem of frequent urination and bleeding in between after menstruation can also be due to infection.
- Yellowish, green discharge with foul smell-
If while urinating, pain and itching in the vagina along with yellow and greenish-smelling discharge is happening, then it may be an infection of the vagina and bladder.
- Pink discharge-
Normally this type of discharge occurs only after delivery which means that the wall of the uterus is flowing out through the vagina.
- Clotted white and cheesy white discharge-
This type of discharge occurs at the time of infection in the vagina. Along with this, there may also be symptoms of pain and itching in the vagina and pain during physical relationship.
- Gray, green or yellow discharge
It is caused by some kind of bacterial infection in the vagina.
2. What is the fluidity of the secretion?
How much liquid viscous or cheese-like is the discharge coming from the vagina. None of these discharges may be normal. This could be due to yeast infection.
3 What is the amount of secretion?
If the discharge from the vagina is so much that you need to apply sanitary pads. Then it can be considered as abnormal discharge.
4. What is the smell of discharge?
When vaginal discharge smells fishy, metallic or has a strange smell, it is considered abnormal discharge.
This type of smell indicates an infection in the vagina. If you are experiencing an unusual smell along with the discharge then it could possibly be a problem. Thin and liquid discharge with a strong and foul odor may be a sign of bacterial bhedonosis. Therefore, it is important to pay attention to it in time.
What are the possible causes of abnormal vaginal discharge?
Abnormal vaginal discharge can occur when there is a decrease in the amount of good bacteria and an increase in the amount of bad bacteria. So let’s try to understand some of the possible causes of abnormal vaginal discharge.
Abnormal vaginal discharge can be due to the following reasons:
- Bacterial vaginosis.
- Consumption of birth control pills.
- Yeast Infection.
- Cervical cancer.
- Chlamydia.
- Gonorrhoea.
- Diabetes.
- Sexual activity.
- Use of antibiotic or steroid drugs.
- Hormonal changes.
- Pelvic infection after surgery.
- Pelvic Inflammatory Disease.
- Trichomoniasis.
- Vaginal atrophy.
- Vaginitis.
When do you need to see a doctor?
If you experience a change in your vaginal discharge then you should visit a doctor in such a situation. If you notice a change in the color, smell or consistency of the discharge or have other symptoms such as burning and itching, you should contact your doctor immediately.
Conclusion-
When there is any kind of problem or disease in the body, that organ gives its own signal. Understanding that sign and without panic, try to overcome that problem by contacting the doctor. Treat vaginal discharge as a normal physiological process and adjust your lifestyle accordingly. But if you have felt abnormal discharge from the vagina in your examination, then without delay you should try to overcome this problem by meeting the doctor, because it can prove to be fatal for you too.
Note- This article has been written for general information, if you find any symptoms related to the above abnormal discharge, then you should contact the doctor. Because by properly diagnosing your disease, only a doctor can tell you the way to deal with it. Thank you.
