Vaginal discharge: Difference between revisions
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[[File:Vaginal_discharge.jpg| | {{SI}} | ||
{{Infobox medical condition | |||
| name = Vaginal discharge | |||
| image = [[File:Vaginal_discharge.jpg]] | |||
| caption = Normal and abnormal vaginal discharge | |||
| field = [[Gynecology]] | |||
| symptoms = [[Vaginal discharge]], [[itching]], [[odor]] | |||
| complications = [[Pelvic inflammatory disease]], [[infertility]] | |||
| onset = [[Puberty]] | |||
| duration = Varies | |||
| causes = [[Infection]], [[hormonal changes]], [[foreign body]] | |||
| risks = [[Sexual activity]], [[poor hygiene]], [[antibiotic use]] | |||
| diagnosis = [[Pelvic examination]], [[microscopy]], [[culture]] | |||
| differential = [[Bacterial vaginosis]], [[yeast infection]], [[trichomoniasis]] | |||
| prevention = [[Safe sex]], [[proper hygiene]] | |||
| treatment = Depends on cause; may include [[antibiotics]], [[antifungals]] | |||
| medication = [[Metronidazole]], [[fluconazole]] | |||
| frequency = Common | |||
| deaths = Rare | |||
}} | |||
The term '''Vaginal Discharge''' refers to the normal or abnormal secretions from the [[vagina]]. The vagina and the cervical glands produce mucus that is naturally discharged, particularly during the reproductive years. However, changes in color, consistency, volume, or odor of these secretions can indicate various health conditions. | The term '''Vaginal Discharge''' refers to the normal or abnormal secretions from the [[vagina]]. The vagina and the cervical glands produce mucus that is naturally discharged, particularly during the reproductive years. However, changes in color, consistency, volume, or odor of these secretions can indicate various health conditions. | ||
==Physiology of Normal Discharge== | ==Physiology of Normal Discharge== | ||
Normal vaginal discharge helps keep the vaginal tissues healthy, provides lubrication, and protects against infection and irritation. The amount and consistency can vary throughout the menstrual cycle, often becoming thinner and more copious during ovulation. | Normal vaginal discharge helps keep the vaginal tissues healthy, provides lubrication, and protects against infection and irritation. The amount and consistency can vary throughout the menstrual cycle, often becoming thinner and more copious during ovulation. | ||
==Abnormal Discharge and Causes== | ==Abnormal Discharge and Causes== | ||
Abnormal vaginal discharge may differ from normal discharge in color, consistency, volume, or odor. It often indicates an infection or other medical condition: | Abnormal vaginal discharge may differ from normal discharge in color, consistency, volume, or odor. It often indicates an infection or other medical condition: | ||
* '''Infections:''' Infections such as bacterial vaginosis, [[Neisseria gonorrhoeae|gonorrhea]], [[Chlamydia trachomatis|chlamydia]], [[Trichomonas vaginalis|trichomoniasis]], and [[Candida albicans|candidiasis]] can cause changes in vaginal discharge. | * '''Infections:''' Infections such as bacterial vaginosis, [[Neisseria gonorrhoeae|gonorrhea]], [[Chlamydia trachomatis|chlamydia]], [[Trichomonas vaginalis|trichomoniasis]], and [[Candida albicans|candidiasis]] can cause changes in vaginal discharge. | ||
* '''Foreign Bodies:''' Forgotten tampons or other foreign bodies can cause a foul-smelling discharge. | * '''Foreign Bodies:''' Forgotten tampons or other foreign bodies can cause a foul-smelling discharge. | ||
* '''Cancer:''' Though less common, cervical or vaginal cancer can also cause changes in vaginal discharge. | * '''Cancer:''' Though less common, cervical or vaginal cancer can also cause changes in vaginal discharge. | ||
==Symptoms and Diagnosis== | ==Symptoms and Diagnosis== | ||
Alongside changes in discharge, symptoms like itching, burning, pelvic pain, and dysuria often occur. Diagnosis involves history taking, physical and pelvic examination, and laboratory testing of the discharge to identify the causative agent. | Alongside changes in discharge, symptoms like itching, burning, pelvic pain, and dysuria often occur. Diagnosis involves history taking, physical and pelvic examination, and laboratory testing of the discharge to identify the causative agent. | ||
==Treatment and Management== | ==Treatment and Management== | ||
Treatment depends on the underlying cause. Antibiotics are typically used for bacterial infections, while antifungal medications are used for yeast infections. Regular gynecological check-ups can help detect and treat any changes early. | Treatment depends on the underlying cause. Antibiotics are typically used for bacterial infections, while antifungal medications are used for yeast infections. Regular gynecological check-ups can help detect and treat any changes early. | ||
==See Also== | ==See Also== | ||
* [[Bacterial vaginosis]] | * [[Bacterial vaginosis]] | ||
* [[Candidiasis]] | * [[Candidiasis]] | ||
| Line 29: | Line 37: | ||
* [[Pelvic inflammatory disease]] | * [[Pelvic inflammatory disease]] | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
<references/> | <references/> | ||
{{stub}} | {{stub}} | ||
Latest revision as of 19:32, 8 April 2025
Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
W8MD medical weight loss NYC and sleep center NYC
| Vaginal discharge | |
|---|---|
| |
| Synonyms | N/A |
| Pronounce | N/A |
| Specialty | N/A |
| Symptoms | Vaginal discharge, itching, odor |
| Complications | Pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility |
| Onset | Puberty |
| Duration | Varies |
| Types | N/A |
| Causes | Infection, hormonal changes, foreign body |
| Risks | Sexual activity, poor hygiene, antibiotic use |
| Diagnosis | Pelvic examination, microscopy, culture |
| Differential diagnosis | Bacterial vaginosis, yeast infection, trichomoniasis |
| Prevention | Safe sex, proper hygiene |
| Treatment | Depends on cause; may include antibiotics, antifungals |
| Medication | Metronidazole, fluconazole |
| Prognosis | N/A |
| Frequency | Common |
| Deaths | Rare |
The term Vaginal Discharge refers to the normal or abnormal secretions from the vagina. The vagina and the cervical glands produce mucus that is naturally discharged, particularly during the reproductive years. However, changes in color, consistency, volume, or odor of these secretions can indicate various health conditions.
Physiology of Normal Discharge[edit]
Normal vaginal discharge helps keep the vaginal tissues healthy, provides lubrication, and protects against infection and irritation. The amount and consistency can vary throughout the menstrual cycle, often becoming thinner and more copious during ovulation.
Abnormal Discharge and Causes[edit]
Abnormal vaginal discharge may differ from normal discharge in color, consistency, volume, or odor. It often indicates an infection or other medical condition:
- Infections: Infections such as bacterial vaginosis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, trichomoniasis, and candidiasis can cause changes in vaginal discharge.
- Foreign Bodies: Forgotten tampons or other foreign bodies can cause a foul-smelling discharge.
- Cancer: Though less common, cervical or vaginal cancer can also cause changes in vaginal discharge.
Symptoms and Diagnosis[edit]
Alongside changes in discharge, symptoms like itching, burning, pelvic pain, and dysuria often occur. Diagnosis involves history taking, physical and pelvic examination, and laboratory testing of the discharge to identify the causative agent.
Treatment and Management[edit]
Treatment depends on the underlying cause. Antibiotics are typically used for bacterial infections, while antifungal medications are used for yeast infections. Regular gynecological check-ups can help detect and treat any changes early.
See Also[edit]
References[edit]
<references/>
