User:Mr. Ibrahem/Vaginal discharge
Medical condition / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Vaginal discharge can be normal or abnormal.[2] Normal vaginal discharge occurs in most women and girls.[2] The amount, quality, and composition of discharge varies between individuals, throughout the menstrual cycle, and throughout the stages of sexual and reproductive development.[4] Normal vaginal discharge may have a thin, watery consistency or a thick, sticky consistency, and it may be clear or white in color.[1][2] Normal vaginal discharge typically does not have a strong smell, nor is it typically associated with itching or pain.[4] It may be large in volume, which occurs more often during pregnancy, when sexually active, or when taking birth control.[4][2]
Vaginal discharge | |
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Normal vagina and cervix during a medical speculum exam demonstrating IUD strings at the opening of the cervix and normal milky white vaginal discharge on the vaginal walls, cervix, and pooled in vaginal fornix. | |
Specialty | Gynecology |
Symptoms | Normal: Thin, watery, thick, sticky, clear or white[1][2] Abnormal: Change in color, increase in amount, foul smell, itching, burning, pelvic pain, abnormal vaginal bleeding, pain during sex[2][3] |
Types | Normal, abnormal[2] |
Differential diagnosis | Normal, bacterial vaginosis, yeast infection, trichomoniasis, chlamydia, gonorrhea, herpes[2] |
Normal vaginal discharge is a mixture of liquid, cells, and bacteria that lubricate and protect the vagina.[1] This mixture is produced by the cells of the vagina and cervix, and it exits the body through the vaginal opening.[3] Normal vaginal discharge cannot be prevented and douching is specifically not recommended.[2]
While most discharge represents normal functioning of the body, some changes in discharge can reflect infection or other problems.[5] Infections that may cause changes in vaginal discharge include vaginal yeast infections, bacterial vaginosis, and certain sexually transmitted infections.[6] Non infectious causes may include bubble bath or foreign objects.[3] The characteristics of abnormal vaginal discharge vary depending on the cause, with common features including a change in color, increase in amount, foul smell, or associated symptoms such as itching, burning, pelvic pain, abnormal vaginal bleeding, or pain during sex.[2][3]