A woman's body is unique in its structure and very complex. Until the end, even the most qualified doctor cannot understand it. However, many seemingly strange phenomena can still be explained. For example, clear discharge, which from time to time may appear on underwear or sanitary napkins. Should I be worried about them or is it a natural thing?
When is the situation okay?
An active he althy woman never sits still. She spends half of the day at work. At lunchtime, he runs to the nearest cafe, where he intercepts coffee and a salad with crackers. In the evening she can go on a date. Closer to the night - a session of physical education in your favorite gym or a "jog" in heels from the bus stop to the house. And then another watch at the stove and washstand. It would even be strange if, with such a lifestyle, a woman always remained clean and tidy. It is absolutely normal that every day there are traces of sweat andgrease stains on clothes. And on the underwear may remain transparent discharge from the vagina. However, their presence may cause the lady to ask the question “Is everything all right with me?”. Vaginal discharge has a classification. They are divided into physiological, normal for a certain age and stage of the menstrual cycle, as well as pathological, which signal some diseases of the genital organs.
If we consider the best option, then normal secretions consist of dead epithelium, microbial cells, secretion of Bartholin's glands, mucus, as well as glycogen and lactic acid. The last two "components" are a nutrient for beneficial microflora and a waste product of lactobacilli, respectively. The content of glycogen, by the way, increases greatly on the day of ovulation, so at this time the amount of discharge may vary. Normally, there should be no unpleasant odor.
Is there any reason to worry?
First of all, you need to understand that transparent discharge in women is normal. The vagina has a mucous membrane, the structure of which is constantly updated. Excesses of this process occur daily, so they simply have to go out. At the same time, there should not be a sharp smell or a clear color in the discharge. Sometimes they may contain pieces of the endometrium. Then the discharge becomes a little thicker than usual. During menstruation, the endometrium exfoliates and comes out with blood and mucus particles. So is it worth worrying about your discharge at all? Yes,you won't be able to relax completely. Any deviation from the norm is an alarming bell, after which it does not interfere with contacting a gynecologist. The smell can alert, which is typical for the appearance of so-called whites. In medical slang, this phenomenon is called leukorrhoea. At the same time, transparent discharges become plentiful or, on the contrary, scarce, but cause inconvenience in character or smell. Because of the whiteness in the perineum, there is a permanent feeling of moisture. Itching appears. Causes can be inflammatory processes, infections of the urogenital organs, STDs, various tumors and injuries of the genitals, as well as a banal allergy to latex, lubricants and underwear.
Deep into the subject
In simple words, any deviation from the norm can and should alert a woman who cares about her he alth. It must be remembered that any nuances can help determine the diagnosis of an acquired ailment. If whites with pus, then the symptoms of inflammation are obvious. But bloodiness indicates the possible development of a tumor. Curdled discharge with a sour smell is characteristic of thrush. They can sometimes resemble white flakes. If the discharge has an orange or greenish color and a putrid odor, then it is worth checking for bacterial vaginosis. It happens that the discharge foams. This is typical of trichomoniasis.
By the way, you can purely outwardly understand the origin of the discharge. If they are watery and rather plentiful, then they are uterine and tubal. And if thick and sparse, then cervical.
Action algorithm
Even transparentdischarge in women can be symptoms of ailments. It is important not to let everything take its course and pay attention to any little things. First of all, pay attention to the appearance of liquids. Then - for the presence of smell and its character. Next, you should be attracted to color. Finally, other symptoms and pain syndrome. If everything is present at once, then the situation is actually unpleasant. There is probably an infection. White discharge clearly indicates a fungus. All other colors suggest a variable outcome. If deviations from the norm continue for at least two days, then the visit to the doctor cannot be postponed any longer.
Let's walk through the reasons
Without a complete picture with personal analysis, it is difficult to say for sure, but still, transparent mucous discharge is a sign of self-purification of the body. Other types of leucorrhea have different reasons.
Worst of all, a woman feels in the process of a fungal disease, because she has itching, her genitals can become inflamed. And, of course, curdled discharge does not add joy. If they are still with pus, then it is worth checking for STDs. At the same time, they can proceed with a whole bunch of symptoms. If you “grab” the situation at the very beginning, then you can get by with “little blood” and be treated promptly.
Is everything so scary? Not at all. There are situations when abundant transparent discharge is caused only by an allergic reaction to improperly selected underwear, or they are the result of dysbacteriosis after antibiotic treatment without subsequent restoration of the microflora of the vaginal mucosa. From sothe same annoying, but innocent reasons can be called long courses of taking contraceptives, douching with antiseptics, constipation and a sedentary lifestyle, leading to stagnation of venous blood in the small pelvis. Of course, genital injuries cause leucorrhoea.
Depending on age
The first clear, odorless discharge appears in newborn girls. This is due to the residual amount of maternal hormones. After a few weeks, the discharge disappears, only to reappear ten years later, when the girl begins to produce her own estrogens. From time to time, the discharge is similar to raw egg white or rice water. They are sour in smell and white with a yellowish tinge in color.
At puberty, cyclical vaginal discharge or menstruation begins. These allocations can and should be tracked using a personal calendar. On average, the monthly cycle lasts 28-30 days, with the first day of the onset of menstruation being considered. In the first half of the cycle, daily discharge is small. They are slimy or watery and mostly uniform. In the middle of the cycle, the discharge is more plentiful and viscous in consistency. May change color to beige or brownish.
After ovulation, the discharge is jelly-like, reminiscent of jelly. This is due to the increased content of lactic acid, which produces lactobacilli. At this time, the vaginal mucosa is looser and more vulnerable to infections. Closer to menstruation, the volume of discharge will increase again.
At the best time
Women's biggest fear is when clear, odorless discharge occurs during pregnancy. Is this normal?
At this time, the female organs of the reproductive system are built to provide comfort to the child. The process of global hormonal restructuring starts. And one of the frequent manifestations of such changes is transparent, odorless discharge, like snot in appearance. When a fertilized egg attaches to the wall of the uterus, this process is accompanied by a viscous discharge from the vagina. Beli resemble raw egg white in appearance. They will accompany the expectant mother throughout the first trimester of pregnancy. Over time, the secretions form into the so-called mucous plug, which clogs the entrance to the uterine cavity and blocks it for infections. Toward the end of the period, the discharge becomes more and more yellowish.
To be continued
The resulting mucus plug will come out all at once or gradually. And after some time after pregnancy, transparent discharge like snot will disappear. However, if the whites change color and smell during pregnancy, then the woman should be examined for infections or inflammation. If the discharge has blood impurities, then the threat of premature detachment of the placenta is obvious, and this is bad for both the woman herself and the fetus.
When there is no way without a doctor
If the discharge has no smell, impurities of blood and pus, and in general the woman does not have a fever, no pain and discomfort, then everything is within the normal range. But the reason for a visit to the doctors can be a failure of the menstrual cycle, frequent and painful urge to go to the toilet, redness and a rash on the genitals. Do not tolerate aching sensations in the perineum, discomfort during intimacy and pulling pain in the lower back. Each of these signs individually and all together are the reason for a medical examination by a gynecologist or dermatovenereologist. If an infection is detected, the woman is prescribed a course of antibiotic therapy.
During pregnancy, the reason for seeking medical attention may be an abundance of vaginal secretions. Perhaps this is a sign of "leakage" of amniotic fluid. By the way, discharge with bloody clots can indicate an ectopic pregnancy, fetal presentation, or the threat of miscarriage. All options can be fatal. So the scarlet blood from the vagina is a signal to immediately call an ambulance.
Summarizing
In general, transparent, odorless discharge in women most often does not indicate any pathologies. They accompany a he althy woman throughout her life, changing only depending on the stage of the menstrual cycle. No need to strive with all your might to get rid of secretions. After all, the mucus in the vagina is a natural barrier to pathological microflora, infections and various pathogenic microbes. If you endlessly use wipes or vaginal sprays, then you can aggravate the situation, come to dryness in the vagina and get thrush. So on days of heavy flow, use a panty liner anddo not forget about personal hygiene. There is reason to see a doctor if the volume of vaginal discharge exceeds 5 ml daily.
In everyday life and not only
Don't be surprised by the fact that various factors can influence the nature and abundance of secretions. In particular, sexual arousal contributes to an increase in natural lubrication and secretions, respectively. It is also worth mentioning the change in the regularity of sexual activity. If there is a lull on the personal front or you have changed partners, then these are good reasons for transparent discharges. This includes the use of contraceptives and, of course, pregnancy.
Abundant discharge can occur when you are allergic to powder and soap, when using low-quality hygiene products and when hygiene is banal. An annoying reason for discomfort is the presence of foreign bodies inside the vagina, for example, toilet paper. Finally, helminthic invasions stimulate the production of fluids, which make themselves felt with a characteristic itching in the perineum. Excess moisture is added by cell fragments, cervical mucus, sweat and sebaceous glands. All these components can give the secretions a specific smell, which, by the way, is individual for each woman. This liquid has a protective function, as it cleanses the walls of the vagina from pathogenic microorganisms.
On my own
In each case, a woman's discharge signals something of her own, about malaise or stress. It would be a mistake to recommend general medicines for all. But here the treatment of folk remedies is quite acceptable. Some of the "grandmother's" medicines cancalm and relieve unpleasant symptoms quickly and easily.
If the discharge is clear as water, but the smell makes you cringe, then go to the pharmacy for acacia flowers, chamomile, calendula or sage. It is useful to drink these herbs for prevention, but douching helps with inflammatory processes. Such herbs can also be used for sitz baths. You can enhance the effect with cocoa butter and propolis. On this basis, make candles. Since propolis is considered a natural antibacterial agent, it will protect and restore the mucosa. By the way, honey can also cope with this task, which is advised to be applied to gauze and put such a tampon at night. But be careful here, because an allergic reaction can occur. With abundant discharge, douching with a solution of potassium permanganate will help.
