Female discharge is worried about the weaker sex with each appearance. This intimate topic makes ladies surf the Internet again and again. They are trying to understand what normal female discharge may be and what is considered a pathology.
In order to take action in time and consult a doctor, you need to deal with these issues.
What it is?
The vagina and cervix are made up of many tissues and mucous membranes. Glands that produce secrets function in it. They include beneficial bacteria and fungi. They protect these organs from the penetration and development of dangerous organisms.
If normal female discharge stops, then we can already talk about the developing pathological process, which will lead to inflammation and other diseases.
From 12-14 years, the appearance of secretions is already considered the norm. Girls by this age should already be aware of this. Mom’s task is to explain in which case it is necessary to pay attention to them and whether it is necessary to consult a specialist.
Normal limits
Gynecologists note that before the appearance of the first menstruation in girls, there should not be any discharge. If they appear, then we can talk about the development of pathology.
In an adult woman, the discharge should be scarce, odorless and transparent. They should have the following characteristics:
- daily volume not more than 5 ml; on a daily laying spot is not more than 1.5 cm in diameter;
- consistency should resemble egg white;
- without inclusions and lumps;
- the smell is a little sour or absent.
What color should female discharge be normal? The answer is very simple: from transparent to light yellow. If a woman is not bothered by anything other than discharge, then such shades of them should not frighten her.
She must monitor her hygiene and perform the necessary manipulations on time. In this case, the risk of "bad" secrets is reduced several times.
Why is the secret and its components important?
Normally, every woman should have a discharge. They contain:
- dead cells of the uterine mucosa, in this way its purification occurs;
- mucus from the cervical canal, which protects it from the penetration of pathogenic microbes;
- bacteria and fungi from the vaginal mucosa, which in a small amount do not pose a danger to the body;
- white blood cells - up to 10 pcs. in smear is considered the norm.
These secretions carry out their positive functions that protect the female reproductive system:
- purification of internal organs from dead cells;
- normalization of microflora;
- natural hydration during sex;
- the fight against pathogenic microorganisms;
- protecting the fetus from bacteria during pregnancy.
Therefore, if during the examination the gynecologist does not have any complaints about the discharge, then there is no need to fight them, even dangerous. With their complete disappearance, the protection of the reproductive system will be terminated, and any dangerous bacteria and infections can get into it.
The effect of the cycle on the allocation
Each woman experiences some changes during the month due to the onset of menstruation. The quantity and color of the discharge also depend on the cycle period.
Vaginal pH changes depending on such periods. For example, acidity rises at the beginning of a cycle. Then it decreases slightly, and during menstruation, alkaline reactions generally occur.
Also, hormonal levels affect female secretions. If estrogen predominates in the blood, then the secret becomes transparent and even watery.
With an increase in progesterone, it becomes quite thick and cloudy and can subsequently completely disappear, which is not a good sign. The following characteristics can be distinguished depending on the day of the cycle:
- from 1st to 12th - in a small amount with a slightly sour smell, transparent; in some women, after menstruation, they generally disappear;
- during ovulation, the secret has the consistency of egg protein, a transparent or slightly whitish hue; blood splashes indicate successful fertilization;
- the second phase - thick discharge creamy consistency with a beige tint;
- a few days before menstruation - a brownish secret, in which there is no pain and discomfort.
Such indicators for secrets are considered the norm, but not required for every woman. During pregnancy, a woman should be guarded by blood and dark discharge. The rest can appear against the background of a hormonal surge and internal changes in the body.
White discharge
Such a secret without a characteristic odor and inclusions is considered the norm, but if a woman has other complaints along with them, then it is necessary to undergo an examination by a gynecologist.
The following symptoms with white discharge should alert the girl and indicate pathology:
- itching and redness in the area of the external genitalia;
- sour smell of discharge in women;
- curd texture.
These signs may be the cause of development:
- candidiasis;
- colpitis;
- inflammatory processes in the vaginal mucosa.
And also often this secret arises against the background of hormonal changes, poor hygiene and a sedentary lifestyle.
With blood
In gynecology, female discharge with such manifestations is considered a dangerous sign if they are not observed immediately before menstruation. A secret with blood may indicate the development of:
- oncology;
- cervical erosion;
- polyps;
- endometrial inflammation.
Such diseases require urgent treatment and most often in a hospital setting.
Yellow and beige
This shade of secret indicates most often the development of an infectious disease. Women with similar symptoms most often experience trichomoniasis, gonorrhea, and vaginal inflammation.
This type of discharge in women is accompanied by severe itching, pain and even fever. Such infections are very dangerous and are transmitted during intercourse to a partner.
When treatment is started on time, they can be quickly dealt with. If they go into a chronic form, then therapy can last for several months.
Thrush
This is the most common pathology among women of different ages. This disease is caused by fungi of the genus Candida. It has distinct signs:
- secret of curdled consistency;
- severe itching in the external genitalia;
- pain during urination;
- discomfort during intercourse.
Diagnosis is by analysis of a smear performed by a gynecologist and based on the patient's complaints. Most often, the cause of itching and discharge in a woman is the development of Candida fungi.
Treatment
Now on the pharmaceutical market a lot of drugs against this disease are provided. Modern medicines make it possible to cope with the pathology in a few days.
For example, Livarol suppositories perfectly inhibit the growth of these yeast fungi. Their disadvantage is addiction to the drug. They can perfectly cope with thrush for the first and second time, but then fungi develop resistance to this remedy.
Clotrimazole is most commonly prescribed by gynecologists in such situations. It is effective in acute and chronic form. Its use is prohibited in the first trimester of pregnancy.
"Pimafucin" is well tolerated by patients and has a good effect in the fight against fungi. It is approved for use in pregnant women. Its significant drawback is its high price.
"Nystatin" copes well with fungi, but does not affect bacteria. May cause dysbiosis and chills. Effective in the initial stages of the disease. It has a minimum cost.
Folk remedies
These methods were used by our grandmothers, because the drugs were not available to everyone and their list was limited. Various herbs cope well with the symptoms of thrush.
Decoctions can be drunk, and also used as douching. Well proven:
- chamomile;
- St. John's wort
- succession;
- calendula.
These plants contribute to the removal of itching, redness, tissue healing, restoration of the vaginal mucosa. How to brew a daisy for douching? The recipe is quite simple.
Need 1 tbsp. l pharmacy plants pour 250 ml of boiling water. The broth is infused for about an hour. Then, with the help of a medical small pear, douching is carried out 2 times a day.
From these plants, you can make decoctions for oral administration. And also very effective fees from such herbs. They can be purchased ready-made at the pharmacy or assembled on their own in the fall season.
Such decoctions can be added to the water for washing. After the first procedures, noticeable relief will come. The sour smell of the discharge in women will go away, and the itching will stop.
Medical tampons
Previously, ladies made such devices on their own, but it was inconvenient and even dangerous. Often a thread came off from such tampons, and they had to be pulled out by a gynecologist.
Now the issue can be resolved very simply. Ready-made swabs are sold at any pharmacy. They can be soaked with medicinal tinctures and used to combat thrush.
- Honey is considered an excellent antibacterial and antifungal agent. It is impregnated with a tampon and inserted into the vagina for three to four hours. Treatment lasts up to two weeks. This method is contraindicated in the presence of allergies.
- In the broth of oak bark. The moistened swab is inserted for 15 minutes, the procedure is repeated up to five times a day. The course lasts one week. The broth can also be used when thrush appears in the mouth to wipe the mucosa.
- In sea buckthorn oil. The procedure is performed once a day, preferably at night. The swab is inserted for 30 minutes within 7 days.
- In a solution of tincture of chamomile and a few drops of onion juice. An impregnated swab is used at night. The tool is used no more than two weeks.
These methods can be used simultaneously with drug treatment. They will help to cope with the disease faster.
Abundant female discharge
This secret is characteristic of several dangerous diseases:
- Colpitis occurs against a background of microflora in the vagina. The cause of this process may be poor hygiene and frequent douching. In this case, the discharge is beige and smell very bad. With advanced forms, purulent inclusions may appear.
- Cervicitis develops in the epithelium of the cervix. The discharge has a pinkish tint. This is due to the ingress of blood from vessels damaged by infection.
- Endometritis is characterized by brown discharge, especially 2-3 days before menstruation. Clots of clotted blood may appear in them. This leaves dead cells of the uterine mucosa.
- Oophoritis is a strong inflammatory process in the ovaries. The secret is characterized by yellow color and a very strong unpleasant odor. Impurities of pus may be observed in the discharge.
- Sexually transmitted diseases cause the secretion of yellow secretions. It is accompanied by pain in the lower abdomen. Over time, pus begins to be secreted, and the woman's body temperature rises.
How to treat discharge in women? First of all, the lady should consult a gynecologist. Because the secret is not always necessary to treat. If white discharge is observed in a woman without itching, then they do not need to be fought.
The remaining conditions require drug therapy. Often, antibiotics from a broad-spectrum group, anti-inflammatory vaginal agents, and various douching are used for treatment.
To avoid the appearance of such unpleasant symptoms, each woman must adhere to certain rules:
- washed daily with special intimate gels or baby soap;
- change underwear often;
- consume sweets less - they contribute to the development of thrush;
- Do not use flavored bathing products.
You should not often change sexual partners, especially if unfamiliar men play their role.
Every woman should understand that she is responsible for her health. In some cases, she can also affect the condition of her partner. Because "bad" discharge may be the result of sexually transmitted diseases.