The female reproductive system is designed in such a way that the presence of vaginal discharge is the norm. Depending on the day of the menstrual period, their volume may vary. The quality and volume of the secret is also affected by:
- sex life with a partner;
- taking hormonal drugs;
- pregnancy.
In this case, there should be no discomfort, discomfort, pain, redness of tissues, itching.
Characteristics of normal secretions
Normal selections have:
- color from whitish to milky with a yellowish tinge;
- faint sour smell;
- consistency of the secret liquid watery or in the form of mucus.
Associated characteristic signs of discharge with pus. Species
The appearance of purulent discharge in women is characterized by:
- drawing pains in the lower abdomen;
- tissue hyperemia (severe redness);
- itching in the vaginal area.
Selections can be:
- thick, frothy, cheesy;
- color from deep white to yellow-green, sometimes with blood spots;
- with a strong smell, pronounced sour or putrid, sometimes (rarely) odorless.
All this indicates the presence of inflammatory processes and requires immediate treatment. Why does purulent discharge appear in women? What are their causes and how to treat them? More on this later in the article.
Causes of inflammation
The structure of the female reproductive system is such that the infection spreads rapidly upward. It penetrates the uterus, fallopian tubes and appendages. It is extremely dangerous for a woman to run such diseases. The infection can cause ectopic pregnancy, various complications during childbirth, and even infertility.
What causes purulent discharge in women? The reasons may be different. Consider the most common:
- candidiasis colpitis, common thrush;
- vulvitis (inflammation of the external genitalia);
- cervicitis;
- vulvovaginitis - inflammation of the vulva and vaginal mucosa;
- endometritis - inflammation of the endometrium;
- colpitis, vaginitis - inflammation of the vaginal mucosa;
- salpingitis;
- oophoritis - inflammation of the ovaries.
Doctors divide all diseases into two types: specific and non-specific.
Specific - those that are transmitted only sexually. Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs),can cause purulent discharge in women with an unpleasant odor. Such ailments include: gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, chlamydia.
Non-specific - diseases transmitted by household. Occur as a result of non-compliance with personal hygiene, trauma to the genital organs. Through the genitals in case of violation of the rules for processing instruments inserted into the vagina during examinations, procedures and manipulations (abortions and curettage, when installing spirals).
Purulent discharge occurs with vaginal cancer. At the same time, the excreted secret contains a large number of bloody inclusions, has a strong putrefactive odor. Vaginal cancer is diagnosed in older women over 60 years of age. This disease is treated with surgery. Radiation and chemotherapy treatments are also often used.
Symptoms of ailments
Purulent discharge in women is the main sign that an inflammatory process is underway. In addition to uncharacteristic discharge, other symptoms are present:
- Pain in the ovaries, pulling pains in the lower abdomen, discomfort when urinating. The pain may be mild, aching, sometimes sharp, sudden.
- The menstrual cycle is disturbed. Bleeding may begin earlier than expected or much later. Discharge during menstruation changes color, becoming dark, sometimes almost black. The amount of blood released may increase or disappear altogether.
- There is discomfort during intercourse. There is excessive dryness of the vagina, painsensations directly during the act, spotting after it.
- Fever, nausea accompanied by vomiting.
Purulent discharge in women with odor appears when:
- thrush;
- colpitis;
- vaginal dysbacteriosis caused by taking antibiotics, a general decrease in immunity;
- STDs;
- STD.
Cervicitis. Causes
Vaginal discharge without smell in the presence of an inflammatory process is very rare.
Purulent discharge in women without smell may indicate cervicitis. The cause of this disease are:
- sexual infections;
- hormonal disorders;
- mechanical injury.
As the disease progresses, other signs appear. For example, it can be severe or sharp pains in the lower abdomen, unpleasant sensations that bring discomfort during intercourse, frequent urge to urinate.
Any of these signs is a reason to urgently consult a gynecologist. It should be remembered that the sooner the diagnosis is made and treatment is started, the greater the chances of a full recovery.
Diagnostic methods (photo)
Purulent discharge in women occurs for various reasons. How to determine the true? How is the diagnosis carried out? In order to establish what was the cause, the doctor prescribes tests:
- Vaginal swab for virus detection,fungal flora, bacteria.
- Bacterial culture from the vagina, cervical canal - to determine the bacteria that cause inflammation.
You may need a blood test from a vein, a swab for laboratory testing using PCR and ELISA. Such research methods make it possible to choose a more effective treatment regimen.
When taking a smear from the vagina a day before the material is taken, sexual contact should be excluded. It is undesirable to douche with any means before analyzes, use soap. All of these can affect test results and distort study data.
Ultrasound is also prescribed, in some cases it is required to undergo examinations such as colposcopy, x-rays of the pelvic organs. They are necessary to identify the focus of inflammation.
Treatment
What are the known methods of treating purulent discharge in women? In the presence of an inflammatory process, complex drug therapy is necessary. Home medicine in these cases is often powerless. Alternative methods are applicable as an adjunct to drug therapy, for the prevention and maintenance of the immune system. It should also be remembered that self-medication will not only not alleviate the situation, but will also lead to unwanted pathologies. Self-administration of antibacterial drugs can provoke the growth of bacteria. Then the disease will turn into a latent chronic form.
How is purulent discharge in women treated? The reasons must be established first. Treatment is selected individually. The following applies in such cases:
- antibacterial drugs;
- anti-inflammatory therapy;
- immunostimulators and immunomodulators (the reception is aimed at strengthening the resistant functions of the body).
Topical therapy
Topical therapy is given using:
- vaginal suppositories (suppositories), tablets;
- gels;
- ointments;
- antiseptic solutions (for douching).
What else is used in treatment?
Probiotics, dietary supplements containing bifidobacteria are used to normalize the microflora of the vagina.
At the time of treatment, you should stick to a diet. Foods high in sugar and yeast, carbonated drinks, alcohol, spicy, smoked and spicy foods should be excluded from the diet.
When taking antibiotics, it is also necessary to connect adaptogens and vitamin complexes.
If the menstrual cycle is disturbed during the course of the disease, hormone therapy is prescribed.
The last resort for a running inflammatory process is surgical intervention.
Prevention of inflammatory diseases
In order to prevent inflammatory diseases of the genitourinary system, a woman should:
- Avoid casual sex, use barrier contraception (condom). It is important that the partner uses a condom from the very beginning of sexual intercourse, and not before ejaculation.
- Properly conduct intimate hygiene of the genitalsorgans, especially during the days of menstruation, when the female body is especially vulnerable.
- Avoid hypothermia.
- Seek prompt medical attention if an infection occurs.
- Keep a he althy lifestyle.
- In case of hormonal disorders, adhere to therapy.
- Take antibacterial drugs only as prescribed by doctors, restore the microflora of the vagina and intestines with the help of probiotics.
- In the postpartum period, pay special attention to restoring the integrity of the genital tract.
- Eat well, get enough sleep, exercise regularly.
