What is vaginal discharge?
Nearly every woman will experience vaginal discharge at some point in life. Vaginal discharge is a fluid or semisolid substance that comes out of the vagina. A small amount of clearish vaginal discharge with no odor is absolutely normal, usually a reflection of the body's normal cleansing process. Some women experience normal changes in their vaginal discharge based on where they are in their menstrual cycle. However, a vaginal discharge that is discolored, that has a strange or different consistency, or that smells strange should be something you should watch out for, especially if it's associated with certain symptoms such as significant itching, burning, irritation or other uncomfortable symptoms. Changes in normal discharge can occur for many reasons, including your menstrual cycle, stress, nutrition, pregnancy, usage of medication (including birth control pills), and sexual arousal.
Most often, vaginal discharge is normal and does need no treatment, and sometimes it's just the first pregnancy sign, but there can be other causes that require medical treatment. Bacteria are present in the vagina at all times, but sometimes the bacteria can build up and cause a bacterial infection. When harmful bacteria grow, it can lead to bacterial vaginosis. This type of discharge will be white and have a faint fishy smell. Prescription creams and antibiotics work well to clear up the infection and stop the vaginal discharge. A common cause of vaginal discharge is a yeast infection. Women can suffer from a yeast infection for various reasons including, but not limited to, taking antibiotics, suffering from diabetes, or being pregnant. It’s important to differentiate why you may be experiencing an abnormal vaginal discharge so see a doctor if you have any concerns.