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Vaginal Discharge

All women experience vaginal discharge. It is the way the vagina keeps itself clean and expels bacteria. Some women may experience discharge that is abnormal and this could indicate an infection or other problem. It is important that women know what is normal in terms of vaginal discharge, and what could suggest a problem.

Normal vaginal discharge is typically clear and has a thin consistency. It is excreted by glands in a woman’s cervix, and is constantly discharged from the vagina to keep it clean. During sexual arousal, glands in the vagina excrete a clear, wet discharge to lubricate the vagina for intercourse. It is normal for healthy vaginal discharge to sometimes leave a slightly yellow stain. Some women will experience vaginal discharge that is slightly thicker than normal, and that is white. If this discharge has no smell, it is probably normal and shouldn’t be a cause for concern.

If a women experiences vaginal discharge that is thick and white and is accompanied by an itchy vulva, this is a good indicator that the woman is suffering from thrush. This is an infection that is caused when a certain bacteria begins to grow and is not stopped by the helpful bacteria that exist in the vagina. It is caused by a variety of things, and can be treated relatively easily. The vaginal discharge excreted when a woman is suffering from thrush has no smell.

If the vagina is producing discharge that is consistently thick and smelly, this could indicate a number of causes. Many women have these symptoms if they have left a tampon for longer than normal. The tampon may have been forgotten, and after a while it will cause the vagina to secrete an unpleasant-smelling discharge. This discharge will go away once the tampon has been removed and the helpful bacteria in the vagina destroy any remnants left behind.

Smelly vaginal discharge could also suggest trichomoniasis or gonorrhoea. Trichommoniasis has become less common in recent years, but can potentially be dangerous if the infection spreads to the ovaries. This is the same for gonorrhoea; if the infection spreads to the ovaries it can cause infertility. If a woman is experiencing vaginal discharge that is thick and has an unpleasant odour, it is important that she consults her GP or gynaecologist as soon as possible to find out what the problem is. It is important that these conditions are diagnosed and treated early on.