Each woman should carefully monitor her health and be friends with such a branch of medicine as gynecology. White discharge, lower abdominal pain and other symptoms should be the reason for contacting the appropriate doctor.
Vaginal discharge can be normal and with pathology, but first we’ll figure out what is included in their composition:
- Slime. It is secreted by glands located along the cervical canal.
- Microorganisms. There is always a certain microflora in the vagina, and it is represented by numerous species: from 5 to 12. In a healthy woman, these are mainly lactic acid bacteria. White discharge in women can appear just because of them. In addition, there are other microbes, the presence of which does not yet indicate a disease.
- Cells. They are desquamated from the walls of the cervical canal, vagina.
To begin, consider the normal discharge. Certain white discharge in women may be the norm, but for girls, there should be practically no white discharge before the onset of menstruation. With the appearance of menstruation, being on the panties of certain substances is associated with age, the nature of sexual life, hormonal status, as well as the menstrual cycle itself.
In the first 12-13 days of the cycle, a woman notes an abundant, watery or mucous discharge of a whitish or yellowish hue. They have a uniform consistency, odorless or slightly sour. The next 1-2 days, approximately in the middle of the cycle, ovulation occurs. The nature of the discharge also changes. They are abundant, viscous and slimy, their shade may be beige.
In the following days, the amount of discharge is gradually reduced, it has a creamy or jelly-like character. But a couple of days before the end of the menstrual cycle, the amount of discharge increases again.
Such a cycle is observed throughout the woman's reproductive age. However, ladies should know that there are many factors that can change the nature of the discharge. This is normal, and do not be scared. Let's consider them in more detail. Firstly, the beginning of sexual activity or a change of partner leads to the fact that microorganisms unfamiliar to this place get into the woman’s vagina, which you need to get used to. In connection with this, abundant white discharge may appear, their usual consistency may change. Secondly, sexual intercourse also has some influence. If unprotected sex has taken place, then after it there are clot-like discharge, which is then replaced by more fluid. Hormonal contraceptives, pregnancy also have their effect. During it, the discharge is abundant and liquid.
Now consider the pathological side of the issue. There are a number of diseases that are accompanied by various changes. It can be white discharge in women, a strange and unpleasant smell, an unusual texture. The most likely causes of such changes are genital diseases. The noted manifestations may be a reason to think, because a diagnosis can only be made using the survey data.
Abundant white discharge in women can be associated with diseases such as trichomoniasis, candidiasis, or thrush, bacterial vaginosis. Discharge with these pathologies can be not only white, but also yellowish, greenish. In addition, they can vary in smell, texture. That is why a professional examination is so important. With some pathologies, discharge with an admixture of blood is observed. Sometimes they can be harmless, but still you should contact a gynecologist, as they can talk about irregularities in the menstrual cycle, be a manifestation of a disease such as vaginitis.
Thus, vaginal discharge is normal, but do not forget that they can serve as a clue for a woman, paying attention to which she will go to the doctor and not get an unpleasant surprise at the most inopportune moment.