Are you worried about your Vaginal Discharge?
If your vaginal discharge has changed recently, it may be a sign of infection or a symptom of an underlying, undiagnosed condition. If you are sexually active, it is particularly important to seek medical advice as sexually transmitted diseases are highly contagious and if left untreated can cause more serious complications, such as, infertility as it spreads to the uterus, ovaries, or fallopian tubes, it also puts you at greater risk of ectopic pregnancy or contracting HIV. It is particularly important for pregnant women to seek treatment for a suspected STI because bacterial infections like gonorrhoea and chlamydia can be passed to the child sometimes causing blindness, scalp sores or infections.
Vaginal discharge is a natural process and is not necessarily a cause for concern. It is, however, beneficial to keep your body clean and monitor your genitals for any changes that may warrant further investigation. Listed below are some helpful tips to help keep your vagina healthy.
- Wash the skin around your vagina regularly with clean water. Do not use perfumed soaps or gel products
- Regularly change your underwear
- Avoid using scented hygiene wipes
- If you are sexually active, visit a sexual health clinic
- Do not wash the inside of your vagina
- If required, try over the counter medication to treat thrush
Abnormal vaginal discharge may be unpleasant and disconcerting for those who experience it, but it is a common problem, and, in most cases, it is often explained by minor issues which, can be corrected with the right treatment. However, sometimes, the discharge may be a sign of a more serious problem such as, sexually transmitted diseases like gonorrhoea, genital herpes, or chlamydia and in some cases, it could be a sign of cervical cancer. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms below it is recommended that you consult your doctor.
- The discharge has an unpleasant, fishy, odour (Bacterial vaginosis)
- The discharge is thick, white and resembles cottage cheese (Thrush)
- If the discharge is yellow or frothy (Trichomoniasis)
- If the discharge is accompanied by pelvis pain or bleeding (Chlamydia / Gonorrhoea)
- If you have blisters or sores on your genitals (Genital herpes)
- You experience itching or soreness
- You have a burning sensation when you urinate
- You have any unexplained pain in your lower abdomen
Here at VIDA we have expert clinicians on hand to help diagnose and treat your condition. To find out more about these services, we recommend visiting the following pages:
- Bacterial vaginosis
- Certain hygiene practices
- Cervical cancer
- Cervicitis
- Chlamydia trachomatis
- Forgotten (retained) tampon
- Gonorrhea
- Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
- Pregnancy
- Trichomoniasis
- Vaginal atrophy
- Vaginal cancer
- Vaginal fistula
- Vaginitis
- Yeast infection (vaginal)