Every woman has vaginal discharge. This is a natural process of the female body. Vaginal secretion is produced by glands in the mucous membrane of the vagina and cervix, is a natural lubricant and helps to remove dead cells and bacteria. A small amount of milky, white and clear discharge with no odor is normal.
Change in the amount, color, consistency and smell of the discharge, as well as the appearance of itching, irritation and burning in the vagina indicates a pathology. Abnormal vaginal discharge is the most common complaint among women at the gynecologist's office.
Types of discharges
Secrets are distinguished by the following characteristics:
- Structure: watery, jelly-like, frothy, slimy, cheesy.
- Color: milky or grayish white, yellow, green, bloody.
- Smell: fishy, sour, rotten, smell of acetone, ammonia.
- Amount: abundant, insignificant.
Glands in the cervix andThe walls of the vagina usually produce secretions in the form of clear mucus. On different days of the menstrual cycle, due to fluctuations in the level of hormones, the nature of the discharge may change. In the middle - transparent, stretching, mucous, abundant, liquid. After ovulation in the second half of the cycle - more viscous and insignificant. Before menstruation, creamy white or light beige. During menstruation - bloody in various shades.
Causes of pathological discharge
Various factors and diseases can change the pattern of discharge in women. These include:
- taking antibiotics;
- taking oral contraceptives;
- cancer of the cervix, vagina, uterus or fallopian tubes;
- allergic reactions to chemicals in hygiene products, fabric softeners, feminine sprays, ointments, creams that can irritate the vagina or surrounding skin;
- skin diseases;
- bacterial vaginosis;
- vaginal yeast infections caused by a fungus;
- sexually transmitted infections: chlamydia, gonorrhea trichomoniasis;
- menopause and low estrogen;
- a forgotten tampon or foreign bodies in the vagina.
Discharge that is pathological in nature, characterized by a change in color, the presence of an unpleasant odor, the appearance of symptoms such as itching, irritation or burning.
Etiology of green secretions
Why do they arise? The answer to this question is simple: most often, due to bacterialinfections or sexually transmitted diseases. In addition to the characteristic color of various shades from light to dark green, this discharge may be accompanied by discomfort during urination, pain in the pelvic area.
The main causes of green vaginal discharge are sexually transmitted diseases (gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, chlamydia), pelvic inflammatory disease, bacterial vaginosis or a foreign body in the vagina.
STDs are usually caused by viruses and bacteria that are passed from one partner to another. And the likelihood of getting infected increases with the number of sexual partners.
Gonorrhea
Gonorrhea is one of the main causes of green, odorless discharge in women. The disease is transmitted by oral, anal or vaginal forms of sexual contact, is the transmission of microorganisms (gonococci).
Signs of infection appear within 2 to 10 days. Can be expressed in the following symptoms:
- pain in the lower abdomen;
- burning in the vagina;
- pain when urinating;
- appearance of yellow or green vaginal discharge;
- bleeding between periods.
Trichomoniasis
Trichomoniasis is the most common sexually transmitted infection. Symptoms usually appear within 7 to 21 days. With a latent course of trichomoniasis, the disease can manifest itself only after a few years. Color of vaginal discharge caused bytrichomoniasis, yellowish green. Vaginal discharge has an unpleasant odor.
In addition, a woman with trichomoniasis may experience discomfort during urination or sex, itching in the genital area, and even mild pain in the pelvic area. A third of patients have no symptoms.
Chlamydia
This is the most common sexually transmitted disease. According to statistics, 78 percent of cases are asymptomatic. The infection can live in the human body for years without any manifestations, but with a decrease in immunity, microorganisms begin to multiply actively.
Symptoms of the disease can be expressed in the appearance of cloudy, yellow-green discharge from the vagina with an unpleasant odor, slight bleeding after intercourse or between periods. There may be pain during urination and in the lower abdomen.
Inflammatory diseases
Pelvic inflammatory disease caused by bacteria is characterized by yellow or green vaginal discharge. In some cases, the infection can spread to the ovaries, uterus, fallopian tubes, and other surrounding organs and cause salpingitis (inflammation of the fallopian tubes) or cervicitis (inflammation of the cervix).
Bacterial vaginosis
Bacterial vaginosis is also the cause of green (in some cases greyish-white, yellowish) vaginal discharge. However, the most distinguishing feature of this vaginal infection is the presence of an unpleasant odor of rotten fish.
The appearance of this disease is due to an imbalance of bacteria in the vagina. Bacterial vaginosis is not a sexually transmitted infection. In addition to discharge and odor, symptoms such as burning during urination and unbearable itching appear.
Thrush
Thrush is not sexually transmitted, it is a fungal infection. But often it can occur due to the frequent change of sexual partners. Also, the causes of the appearance of curdled discharge are antibiotics, stress, decreased immunity, diabetes and even HIV.
Usually, with vaginal candidiasis (thrush), the discharge is white and curdled. But in the case when a woman postpones visiting a doctor and delays in treatment, the disease can worsen. A bacterial infection joins, as a result of which the vaginal secretion changes its color to green.
In addition to cheesy discharge, thrush is accompanied by itching, burning, redness of the genitals and pain during and after sexual intercourse.
Foreign body
The presence of foreign objects in the vagina for a long time (such as tampons) can lead to the onset of an inflammatory process. Usually, inflammation is accompanied by an increase in vaginal discharge, which later turns green, an unpleasant odor, fever, and pain and discomfort.
Green discharge during pregnancy
A woman experiences many changes during pregnancy, including unusual discharge. Due to hormonal changes, she may find an increase in clear vaginal discharge characterized by the absence of any odor. The cause of green discharge in women during pregnancy is bacterial infections. It can also be sexually transmitted diseases.
If a green discharge without odor appears, you should immediately consult a specialist. This condition can be caused by leakage of amniotic fluid, the discharge in this case becomes yellowish-green.
Treatment of specific discharges
If green discharge of any consistency and shade appears, you should immediately consult a doctor. Postponing the consultation of a specialist and, accordingly, treatment can adversely affect the he alth of a woman as a whole.
Treatment for green discharge is to take antibiotics. Another option is to use a vaginal cream or gel suppository. During treatment, you should stop having sex.
Prevention of pathological discharge
To avoid the appearance of green discharge in women, the following recommendations should be followed:
- Observe the rules of hygiene. Wash the genitals and wipe after bowel movements correctly: from front to back.
- When toileting the genitals, avoid using soap, rinse with water alone to cleanse.
- Do not use wet wipes or scented toilet paper.
- Stop douching. Many women feel cleaner after the procedure, but it can actually make symptoms worse because it removes the beneficial bacteria that line the vagina. These bacteria help protect against infection.
- Take warm (not hot) baths, dry thoroughly after baths.
- Use of hygienic sprays, bubble baths, perfumes, or powders in the genital area should be avoided.
- Use pads instead of tampons when treating inflammatory diseases and infections. Replace them in a timely manner.
- If you have diabetes, avoid high blood sugar.
- Wear loose clothing, underwear and no tights.
- Wear cotton underwear (not synthetic), or underwear that has a cotton lining in the crotch. The material increases airflow and reduces moisture buildup.
- If possible, refuse to wear underwear, for example at night.
- Wash hands thoroughly before and after using the bathroom.
- Always practice safe sex, use condoms to avoid contracting or spreading infection.
In closing
It is important to remember that when a specific green discharge appears from the vagina, a visit to the doctor is mandatory. After examining, the specialist will determine the specific cause of the symptoms and prescribe the most appropriatetreatment.
Vaginal infections should always be treated to avoid serious complications. In some cases, in order to exclude re-infection, it is recommended that the partner be treated as well.
The best way to prevent specific secretion is to take care of your sexual he alth. You should remember about proper protection, avoid promiscuity. After unprotected sex, you should undergo a series of examinations, be tested for sexually transmitted infections. In addition, proper intimate hygiene will help reduce vaginal infections as well as avoid green vaginal discharge.
