27/05/2025
VAGINAL DISCHARGE
7-important things the features of your discharge will tell you.
Pay a very close attention to this signs so you will know when to contact your physician. Please, DON’T SKIP. READ CAREFULLY and drop your questions at the comment section.
1) White homogeneous discharge or gray white or thick yellow fishy smelly discharge may indicate BACTERIA VAGINOSIS (BV)
2)Purulent va**nal discharge could suggest the presence of AEROBIC VAGINITIS which could be STREPTOCOCCAL or STAPHYLOCOCCAL INFECTIONS
3) Frothy yellow/green discharge may suggest TRICHOMONIASIS
4)Curdy white discharge that adheres to the walls of the Va**na; Could suggest CANDIDIASIS
5) Thin milky discharge usually occurs during pregnancy
6)Brownish/Red discharge could be linked with hormonal activities or issues such as endometrial or cervical cancer, cervical polyp, cervical infection, menstruation
7) Clear/ white discharge is healthy discharge in most times
Now, we are going to discuss these conditions sequentially. But then, I have to advise that it’s necessary a proper confirmatory laboratory diagnosis is made by your physician before initiating a treatment/Therapy course.
BACTERIA VAGINOSIS(BV): This is an infection that occurs in the va**nal area of the woman body which involves pathogenic (harmful) strains of bacteria. Usually, an unpleasant smell is perceived coming from the Va**na especially after sexual activities. This infection is treatable but when left untreated could result to many severe consequences.
For instance, the following could happen if BV is not treated or poorly managed;
- Increased risk of HIV if they have in*******se with the carriers.
- Increased chances of getting Chlamydia and other STIs.
- Pregnant women with BV are more likely to give birth to a baby with low birth weight
- Vaginitis (Va**nal inflammation) also known as BACTERIA VAGINITIS, and URETHRITIS can occur as a result of untreated BV with symptoms of pains and frequent urination, burning sensations when urinating and irritations in the va**na.
However, many patients with BV may be asymptomatic (not having any noticeable symptoms) and some symptoms maybe mild.
RISK FACTORS OF BV
The exact cause of BV is unknown but there are known risk factors that may trigger imbalance between protective bacteria and the harmful ones. Let’s look at the following activities;
1) New or Mulitiple sexual partners
2) Douching
3) Use of IUD
Others include hormonal fluctuations during menstruation and pregnancy or during menopause, smoking, over use of antibiotics, semen exposure.
The above activities can cause imbalance in the va**nal microbiome, where good va**nal bacteria are replaced by the harmful bacteria.While the exact mechanism of this imbalance is not fully understood, it’s thought that certain bacteria may create a biofilm that provides a favorable environment for other bacteria to proliferate.
When the natural balance of bacteria in the va**na like Lactobacilli that maintains a healthy va**nal pH is disrupted with harmful bacteria like Garnerella vaginitis and anaerobic bacteria overgrow.
Other pathogens overgrowth implicated in BV include;
-Prevotella spp (Bacteroides)
-Mobilincus spp
-Megaspahera spp
- Sneathea spp
- E. coli
- Mycoplasma hominis
To be continued in the comment section
