Symptoms of abnormal vaginal discharge
Release time : 05/07/2025 09:30:01
The normality of vaginal discharge can reflect a woman's overall health. If there are symptoms of abnormal vaginal discharge, it is essential to seek medical attention promptly.
Healthy vaginal discharge is a thin, slightly acidic, and mucilaginous substance, appearing milky white and similar to egg whites. However, when women suffer from gynecological diseases, the discharge changes significantly, especially if it becomes watery or contains blood.
Abnormal vaginal discharge symptoms can reveal the physical condition of a woman.
Generally speaking, the vaginal discharge of a healthy female is a slightly acidic, sticky substance, with a small amount. The color is milky white or egg white-like and slightly foul-smelling. It moistens the genital area, excretes waste products, and inhibits the growth of pathogens.
What are the symptoms of abnormal vaginal discharge? 1. Purulent discharge: This type of discharge is yellow or green in color, with a mucous or foamy consistency and a foul odor. It is most commonly caused by vaginitis, with Trichomonas vaginalis being the most common pathogen, often accompanied by vulvar itching.
This is visible in conditions such as chronic cervicitis, geriatric vaginitis, endometritis, uterine myometrium effusion, or the presence of foreign bodies in the vagina.
2. The presence of curd-like or bean curd-like vaginal discharge, often characteristic of fungal vaginitis, is typically accompanied by severe itching in the external genitals.
3. Hemoccult vaginal discharge, which contains blood, should alert to the possibility of malignant tumors such as cervical cancer and endometrial cancer.
However, benign lesions such as cervical polyps, cervical erosion, submucous myoma, dysfunctional uterine bleeding, and urethral caruncle can also cause vaginal discharge with blood.
Additionally, vaginal bleeding with a small amount of blood associated with intrauterine devices is also relatively common.
4. Yellow watery vaginal discharge typically occurs after persistent vaginal bleeding, with a large amount of purulent foul-smelling vaginal discharge being extruded. This condition should initially raise concerns for late-stage cervical cancer, endometrial cancer, or the presence of an uterine fibroid accompanied by infection.
Patients presenting with intermittent discharge should be vigilant for the possibility of ovarian cancer.
5. In the typical cystitis caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae, there is an increase in vaginal discharge and urinary symptoms.
Chlamydia-induced cervicitis exhibits a viscous, white, mucoid discharge from the cervix.
6. During pregnancy, the amount of vaginal discharge increases significantly compared to usual. This is because the blood flow in the vagina and cervix of pregnant women is augmented, leading to an increase in secretions.
The more months pregnant, the more vaginal discharge will be.
Many pregnant women often feel that their vagina is always wet, which is due to the influence of leukorrhea.
However, this is a normal phenomenon during pregnancy, and as long as you regularly use warm water to rinse the vulva and change your underwear frequently to keep them clean, everything will be fine.
7. The presence of a foul odor and foamy vaginal discharge is primarily characterized by increased vaginal discharge, which appears as white or yellow-green foamy, accompanied by a fishy odor.
Vaginal discharge with a foamy consistency is the primary characteristic of Trichomonas vaginitis. In addition to this, it may also present with symptoms such as burning and pain in the vagina, dyspareunia during sexual intercourse, and frequent scratching can lead to vulvitis, causing localized congestion and swelling.
Types of abnormal vaginal discharge After understanding the symptoms of abnormal vaginal discharge, let's explore how to identify it in women.
1. The nature of inflammation-induced leukorrhea varies depending on the pathogen causing infection, thus presenting with different characteristics. Based on the distinct appearance of the leukorrhea and associated symptoms and signs, it is possible to roughly identify the type of inflammation involved.
① Fungal vaginitis presents as a paste-like or curd-like discharge, with the vulva and vagina congested. In severe cases, there is erythema of the vulva and vaginal mucosa, with white membrane-like substances attached to the vaginal surface. Upon removal of these membranes, rough redness, swelling, and damaged erosion surfaces along with superficial ulcers are observed. Patients may also experience itching and burning sensations in the external genitalia.
In laboratory tests, microscopic examination shows ovoid spores that are joined into string-like or branch-like clusters.
2. Trichomonas vaginitis: This is caused by the Trichomonas parasite, characterized by a yellowish-white discharge with a thin consistency and frothy appearance.
Vaginal bleeding, even presenting with purplish-red spots resembling apricot pits.
Many women experience vaginal itching, and in the laboratory examination of vaginal discharge, trichomoniasis can be detected.
Pelvic inflammation, including cervicitis, endometritis, and adnexitis, is characterized by yellowish-brown vaginal discharge with a thick, sticky consistency and a foul-smelling purulent character.
Vaginal atrophy and erythema, cervical erosion, tenderness in the pelvis with adnexal enlargement.
At this time, women often feel lower back soreness and prolapse when they are tired or sexually active.
Laboratory tests reveal an abundance of contaminants and pus.
4. In elderly women with vaginitis, the vaginal discharge is abundant and yellowish-watery. There are often superficial ulcers on the vaginal wall, leading to the presence of blood in the discharge or a purulent appearance.
Vaginal mucosal congestion, with profuse bleeding and spots of hemorrhagic lesions presenting when the condition is severe.
I feel itchy and burning pain.
Under the laboratory examination microscope, pus balls and miscellaneous bacteria can be seen, sometimes accompanied by trichomonas and fungal infections
2. Non-inflammatory vaginal discharge is caused by pelvic organ congestion, resulting in an increase in vaginal discharge.
In some systemic diseases, with weakened constitutions, vaginal discharge often appears as clear or watery fluid. The patients may experience itching or burning sensations. When the condition is severe, there is a feeling of heaviness in the pelvic cavity, and the vulva is moist. The mucous membrane is congested, the labia majora are innervated by enlarged sebaceous glands that protrude and appear bumpy.
3. Foreign body vaginal discharge can be caused by the insertion of a contraceptive ring in the uterus, or the presence of foreign bodies in the vagina after childbirth or surgery, which can irritate the vagina and lead to inflammation, resulting in copious yellowish-green vaginal discharge with a strong odor and even bloody streaks.
4. Cancerous vaginal discharge generally appears as a meat-like liquid, with a strong odor and a copious amount, and presents with severe vulvar irritation.
5. Other causes of vaginal discharge, such as gonorrhea or syphilis-induced orchitis and ulcers, trichomonas-induced vaginitis, and vesico-vaginal fistula or recto-vaginal fistula, are due to increased secretion caused by the stimulation of the vagina by excrement.
Finally, if a woman wants to self-examine her vulva, she can do so by "looking" at the vaginal discharge.
"Observes," smells the odor exhaled from secretions, menstrual blood, or vulvar area.
The word "touch" should generally indicate smoothness and softness.
Treatment for abnormal vaginal discharge in women should involve regular examinations of the body. If confirmed to be an abnormal vaginal discharge, it is imperative to follow medical advice and use medication under the guidance of a physician, as this may exacerbate the condition.
In daily life, it is important to avoid wearing tight pants and sanitary pads as they can irritate the genital area
It is best not to use various drugs to clean the vagina, in order to avoid damaging the internal environment of the vagina and causing vaginitis.
In addition, it is important to exercise and enhance immunity
If there is abnormal vaginal discharge, how should it be treated? 1. Changing vaginal pH can be used to treat abnormal vaginal discharge
The most suitable pH value for the growth of Candida is 5.5. The weakly acidic environment of the vagina can maintain its self-cleaning function, with a normal range of 3.7 to 4.5. Therefore, using Ph4 weak acid formula female care solution is not only suitable for daily cleaning and maintenance, but also has an inhibitory effect on the growth and reproduction of fungi during treatment
When going to the toilet, use women's sanitary wipes to dry the vagina and keep it dry to inhibit the growth of candida.
2. Drug Therapy (1) Trichomonas Vaginitis
Cryptosporidia are present in the creases and ducts of the vagina, as well as in the urinary tract and intestines. Therefore, it is necessary to treat both internally and externally.
1. Oral administration of anthelmintic medication.
After treatment, a vaginal culture should be taken to confirm the absence of trichomonas. If negative, continue treatment for one course and consolidate the therapeutic effect.
Local simultaneous treatment.
(2) Candidal vaginitis.
Sodium bicarbonate solution can be used to irrigate the vulva, vagina or toilet. After wiping dry, a miconazole suppository is put into the vagina deep and a miconazole cream is applied on the vaginal wall, once every night or twice in the morning and evening, for 10-14 days.
(3) Nonspecific vaginitis.
If abnormal vaginal discharge belongs to this type, metronidazole can be taken orally or treated locally
(4) Geriatric vaginitis.
Can be used topically in the vagina.
To increase vaginal acidity.
In cases of severe inflammation, estrogen therapy may be supplemented.
Dietary Therapy for Abnormal Vaginal Discharge There are many treatment options for abnormal vaginal discharge. In cases of severe symptoms, medication is primarily used, including oral medications, topical ointments, and traditional Chinese medicines.
For those with mild symptoms, dietary therapy can be an option. Additionally, all patients with abnormal vaginal discharge should focus on their diet to aid in the recovery of the condition.
Below, MomNet Dictionary will introduce some dietary therapy methods for abnormal vaginal discharge.
1. Suitable for leukorrhea, suitable amounts of black fungus and brown sugar are required.
Soak the black fungus and grind it to a fine powder, then take it with sugar water.
Two times a day, 2 grams each time.
2. Suitable for excessive vaginal discharge: 100g of squid, 200g of lean pork, 10g of Chinese yam, and 4g of lotus seeds.
Squid and pork are chopped, mixed with Chinese yam and lotus seed to cook together.
Eat meat and drink soup.
Second: 200g fresh mung bean sprouts and 2 eggs.
Mulberry leaves are ground into a paste and the egg yolks are removed. The protein is mixed with the mulberry juice to form a mixture, which is then taken orally with boiling water, once a day.
Third: 90 grams of winter melon seeds, and 90 grams of rock sugar.
Mash the winter melon seeds, add sugar and boil with water. Take it twice a day in the morning and evening.
Fourth: half a bowl of lotus juice, 3 red cardamom flowers, decoct in water, add brown sugar to take orally twice daily.
Fifth: Adjust the amount of Chinese cabbage roots, one egg, and 10 grams of brown sugar.
Clean the leeks and boil them in water with a little sugar.
One dose per day, continued for 7 days.
Sixth: 250 grams of white lentils.
Soak white broad beans in water until they are soft, then grind them into a fine powder. Take 6 grams of this powder twice daily with rice soup.
Common Misconceptions in Treating Vaginal Discharge During the treatment of vaginal discharge anomalies, many people are influenced by some unscientific statements, which can affect the therapeutic effect. The self-care during treatment is also very important. Let's take a look at some common misconceptions in treating vaginal discharge anomalies.
Female friends who are troubled by vaginal discharge abnormalities, have you all used the correct methods to treat them? Misconception one: Preference for traditional Chinese medicine.
In China, the deep-rooted influence of traditional medicine has made many women accustomed to seeking herbal medicine when they experience symptoms such as abnormal vaginal discharge.
However, traditional Chinese medicines have a slow onset of action and lack specificity. As first-line treatments, they not only can lead to the spread of inflammation but also delay the diagnosis and treatment of the condition.
Misconception Two: Treatment is not adhered to the course of action.
When self-medicating, women often judge the efficacy of their treatment based on subjective feelings.
Many gynecological inflammations require strict treatment regimens, and it is essential not to stop treatment prematurely. Failing to adhere to the course of treatment may lead to a resurgence of symptoms.
Treating vaginal discharge abnormalities blindly is highly inadvisable.
Misconception Three: All gynecological inflammations are not differentiated.
Vaginitis and chronic cervicitis, although both are inflammations, differ significantly in nature; treatment must be tailored accordingly.
Although vaginal discharge abnormalities are common gynecological diseases, women must pay great attention to them and strictly follow medical advice.
Misconception Four: Ignoring the selection of detergents.
Many women buy feminine washes without much thought, but in fact plain water is the best. It doesn't disrupt the vagina's acid-alkaline balance.
*The medical information provided in this text is for reference only.
In case of discomfort, it is advised to seek medical attention immediately. The diagnosis and treatment should be based on the professional medical consultations conducted in person.