OBGYN Blogs

   

Abnormal Discharge

Vaginal discharge is perfectly normal, but if you notice a change in color, consistency or smell, then there could be a problem. Abnormal discharge is usually an indication of vaginal infection or disease.

White:

White discharge is usually present throughout your menstrual cycle, especially at the start and end of your period. However, if it has a thick, curd-like consistency and is accompanied with any type of vaginal irritation such as itching or redness, you may have CANDIDIASIS (more commonly known as a yeast infection) or a fungal infection.

Yellow or Green:

If you have a thick, cottage cheese-like yellow or greenish yellow discharge with an unpleasant odor, you may have bacterial vaginosis (BV), which is a disease of the vagina caused by bacteria. However, if are also experiencing any type of pain (most likely in the abdomen area) during sex, you may be suffering from an STD called trichomoniasis, or pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which entails inflammation of your fallopian tubes, ovaries and uterus.

Brown:

This kind of discharge is not uncommon, as it can usually appear when your period is late. However, if your brown discharge comes with unexplainable pain or any other type of vaginal irritation, it could mean something far more severe, such as cervical cancer, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), menopause, or even STDs like chlamydia, gonorrhea, or vaginal warts.

Itching or Burning

Vaginal itching could mean something as mild as a skin irritation from the chemicals in the products you use, but if you are experiencing it in conjunction with other symptoms such as dryness, pain during intercourse, or abnormal discharge, you may be suffering from a vaginal infection or disease. You may have a yeast infection, bacterial vaginosis, or STDs such as genital herpes, chlamydia, gonorrhea and more.

Swelling

When you experience swelling on your entire vaginal area, you could be suffering from some type of allergy or skin irritation. Swelling can also occur due to inflammation, edema, infection, or an STD. But if it is confined to just a certain part of your genitals, then the swelling may be due to cysts or abscesses.

Painful Intercourse

Painful intercourse, which is medically known as dyspareunia, is one of the main signs that you are suffering from a vaginal infection or disease. But actually, that’s not always the case. Pain or discomfort during and after intercourse could also be caused by skin irritation around the vaginal area (from chemical irritants), or it could be due to injury or damage to the vagina—either internal or external. However, if you are also experiencing any of the aforementioned symptoms, the occurrence of pain during sex could be due to a yeast infection, an STD, vaginismus (involuntary spasm of vaginal muscles) or even vulvar or cervical cancer.

If you are experiencing any of the mentioned symptoms, set an appointment with your doctor right away.