Is Normal Vaginal Discharge Green or Yellow - What is the Cause of the Itchy Smelling Discharge?
Posted: Sunday, January 11, 2009
by Kacycarr
http://www.spotthepimple.com
Would I be right in saying why you are here is you probably have a problem with vaginal discharge and would like to discuss with someone about your concerns. If your worries includes that you feel abnormal, - then it shouldn`t because vaginal discharge is a natural body secretion. Although every woman has discharge, it does not mean their discharge is the same as yours. It can show different in color, consistency and appearance. Vaginal discharge is a great pointer for doctors to determine particular vaginal infections, just by looking at the matter, or from its smell. Not nice sounding but that`s how it is. Bacterial vaginosis is an infection that we connect strongly to that of the fishy odor from discharge.
Not many women are aware of why they have vaginal discharge but carry on regardless and accept it, whereas others panic getting themselves into an unnecessary frenzy. Ladies let me tell you, it would be unhealthier, if you did not release vaginal secretions. It is a sign saying the body is in proper working order. The only time for concern is if you see a change in its appearance or it causes you to have an itchy vagina.
Vaginal discharge is the result of secretions produced from small glands in the lining of the vagina and the cervix. When consulting with your GP and you do not understand some medical terms used for your condition, be sure to ask for an explanation. Discharge normally shows a couple of years before puberty and ending after the change of life (menopause.) Every woman is different and some may see plenty of change in discharge between periods, while other don`t. A question that pops up regular is how much discharge is normal? Once again this is a question which has several answers because of many factors.
The amount of discharge varies from woman to woman. Different women probably also have different opinions of what is normal, but best not to fight over, till what is normal is proven. Signs that show something`s not right is when having to wear panty liners, if this is the case then your vaginal discharge is probably heavier than what is deemed as normal The amount of discharge you lose is often influenced by hormonal changes.
What color is normal discharge? Well I am not sure to use the word normal because if a woman notices a difference in her discharge, it may fear her into thinking she is "abnormal", so I re-phrase and say – that a "customary," physiological, vaginal discharge is usually clear, creamy or slightly yellow.
Seek medical advice if you have the symptoms below
- Excessive loss of discharge.
- If discharge changes color from yellow-whitish to brownish, reddish or even green.
- If discharge is unpleasantly smelly.
If you see any of these changes, it doesn`t have to be all three, go to your doctor, who will take samples of the discharge in order to detect infection. The samples of discharge will be sent on for further investigation.
If you believe discharge change is caused by a sexually transmitted disease and not a vaginal infection like vaginitis then you need treating, because an STD will not go away otherwise. Talk to someone at the family planning clinic, GUM clinic or gynecologist. Why we say it is normal to have some vaginal discharge is because the vagina stays moist as part of its self-cleansing mechanism. The vagina is also an odorless organ; the normal moist discharge clears dead cells and bacteria from the vagina. It comes mainly from glands in the cervix, and is slightly acidic, which helps keep infections from occurring. The acidity results from lactic acid, formed by 'friendly' bacteria as they break down sugars. Vaginal discharge if exposed to the air can turn brownish-yellow.
Abnormal discharge, oh how I hate the word, abnormal" to me says other things, however it is one used by medics so it stands while I explain. Normal discharge doesn't smell, and does not cause irritation or itching. A discharge is likely to be abnormal if:
- it smells fishy
- it's thick and white, and curdy
- green and smells unpleasant
- there's specks of blood
- it's itchy
- a show of genital sores or ulcers
- abdominal pain or pain during sexual intercourse
Possible causes
- bacterial vaginosis
- vaginal thrush infection
- unchanged tampons
- Poor hygiene
- gonorrhea
- trichomoniasis
Don't assume that a discharge is necessarily due to thrush; bacterial vaginosis is more common and easily determined by the fishy-smell. Thrush is caused by the yeast Candida albicans. Hormones in the vaginal secretions and the 'friendly' vaginal bacteria keep the chances of thrush developing to a minimum. Normally we see vaginal issues rise when this natural balance is upset, and the Candida masses. Possibilities for it happening:
- While pregnant
- On a course of antibiotics
- if you have diabetes
- Wearing tight, non-porous underwear
- if the vulva or vagina is sore for any other reason, particularly if you scratch (because damaged tissue is more susceptible to Candida)
- Illness
- Drugs, such as steroids, which lower the body's resistance to infection
It is rumored that the contraceptive pill causes thrush. Medics still debate over this as there is no solid proof to say that it does. You do not have to be sexually active for thrush to infect. Candida yeasts are already in the vagina, and they cause thrush when the body's natural balance is disturbed.
Gonorrhoea is one of the most infectious sexually transmitted diseases. All VDs are serious but are treatable and curable. Gonorrhoea is a serious infection caused by the Gonococcus bacterium. Without appropriate medication this particular STD can spread upwards to the fallopian tubes, and cause infertility. Infected women see a greenish-yellow and nasty-smelling discharge. About one-fifth of females have vague symptoms, such as a slight increase in discharge, pain on intercourse or lower abdominal discomfort. And about one-fifth of women have no symptoms at all.
Trichomoniasis is caused by a tiny amoeba-like (protozoan) organism called Trichomoniasis vaginalis. It used to be a regular condition, but is strangely becoming less so common over the last decade. England and Wales's figures have dropped immensely from 17 000/ dropping to 5000/annually. Trichomoniasis secretion is usually frothy and yellowish-greenish, and loose and scarce - also smelly and the vulva sore. It can cause pain when weeing and is not a life threatening condition.
If discharge appears thick white and itchy, thrush could be the issue, so nip along to your chemist and pick up a tube of anti-thrush cream or tablets or call into a Gum clinic for a check-up. GUM clinics carry out on-the-spot tests for most vaginal discharge concerns, and you don`t need to be referred and everything is kept private about your privates by the person who is treating you.
Durin december i was on my periods for almost da whole month i went to the doctor nd they gave me trisequens, cyklokapron, ferrous sulphate and primolut and now m having green discharge they are not smelly bt they make me insecure. What must i do please help me
Hi as I am not a doctor I am afraid I am not in a position to suggest treatments or other - but I think I qualify because being a woman I can understand and relate to your worries, however you maybe worrying over little or nothing. When you first experienced problems you went to your doctor - which was sensible thing to do. Now do the sensible thing again and go back. Don`t panic yourself and keep wellKacy
This is my first pregnancy and i've got a yellow greenish discharge i dn't itch or anything im 17 weeks about 5 weeks ago it first started turning this color with odor and itching but now its just the color i am a diabetic but reading all this stuff makes me think i've got an stdHi Megan there can be many changes happen in pregnancy, and because its your first baby most changes might well be new if not strange to you, however because of your condition its best to be sure that the discharge you show is connected with you being pregnant and not something other.Megan I suggest that you dont worry and speak to your doctor to get to the bottom of this.Sorry I couldnt be more helpfulKeep well and come back if you need meKeep wellKacy
Great article!
Now my question is,
What if its an odorless thick itchy (very itchy) discharge. Its very uncomfortable. I used a tampon today because yday the discharge was heavy and milky looking but today I felt some pain so when I took out the tampon, it hurt really bad on the opening of my vagina and I could see the discharge was in fact greenish.
Please help with ideas of what it could be? Or some home remedies for the itch! I don't have time to go to the doctor today but I really feel miserable. I am going to try to go tomorrow.
I was thinking it ws an allergic reaction to a condom or could have had a yeast infection that I scratched and made develop into a rash, but since the tampon thing with green, I'm terrified! This has only been happening for a few days.
Help please!Hi your not to panic because all vaginal concerns are treatable. Although you mention no odor, thick discharge is not usually normal, however as you mention, it could be a result of irritation or an allergy. Nonetheless green discharge is something nearly always something to do with infection. Still not to worry. Nip along to your doctor to get a proper diagnosis for this happening and peace of mind
Sorry I couldn't be more helpful
Keep well
Kacy
I Just Notice Like A Week or 2weeks Ago, I had A Yellowish Discharge A bit Smelly & A Slight light Green not A lot Just a Little, No Burning, No itching, No Pains Or Anything. Im So Scared Can Someone Tell Me What Could This Possibly Be.