Vaginal discharge
Alternative names:
discharge from the vagina, vaginitis
Definition:
Discharge of a substance from the vagina.
It may vary in consistency (thick, pasty, thin), color (clear,
cloudy, colored), and smell (normal, odorless, malodorous).
Considerations:
Some vaginal discharge is quite common for women of childbearing
age. Normally, cervical glands produce a clear mucus secretion
which drains downward, mixing with bacteria, discarded vaginal
cells, and Bartholin's gland secretions. These substances
may (depending on how much mucus there is) turn the mucus
a whitish color (leukorrhea) and when exposed to air, the
discharge turns yellowish. There are times throughout the
menstrual cycle that the cervical glands produce more mucus
than others, depending on the amount of estrogen produced
(see: menstrual cycle). This is normal.
Sexual excitement and
emotional stress have
both been associated with a normal vaginal discharge. This
discharge is a clear, mucus-like secretion.
Disease may be indicated if vaginal discharge is abnormal
in color, odor, or consistency, or significantly increased
or decreased in amount. Very often, when the abnormal discharge
is caused by a sexually transmitted disease (STD), or transmitted
through sexual intercourse, the sexual partner(s) may require
treatment as well.
Common causes:
- atrophic vaginitis
(common in older women)
- nonspecific vaginitis
- foreign bodies (such as a forgotten tampon)
- Monilia (white cheesy discharge caused by candidiasis)
a type of yeast infection
- Trichomonas (white, frothy discharge and intense itch)
- sexually transmitted disease (if discharge is cheesy,
smelly, or bloody)
- bacterial vaginosis
- drugs (some antibiotics and estrogen-containing drugs)
- irradiation of the reproductive tract
- sexual excitement
(normal discharge)
- emotional stress
(normal discharge)
- during ovulation
Note: There may be other causes of an abnormal vaginal discharge.
This list is not all inclusive, and the causes are not presented
in order of likelihood. The causes of this symptom can include
unlikely diseases and medications. Furthermore, the causes
may vary based on age of the woman, as well as on the specific
characteristics of the symptom such as quality, time course,
aggravating factors, relieving factors, and associated complaints.
Update Date: 02/09/00
Updated by: J. Gordon Lambert, MD, Associate Medical Director,
Utah Health Informatics and adam.com
editorial
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