Specific thick discharge in women can be a signal of serious illnesses, or it can be an ordinary physiological secret that does not carry any danger. In any case, if you are concerned about this delicate problem, you need to see a doctor.
In the article we will consider discharges of different colors and consistency, their causes and possible diseases, we will indicate what is the norm for the female body and what is not.
Physiological secret
What thick discharge in women can be considered the norm?
The vagina contains many lactobacilli, they form a ph-environment that is favorable for conception, and also prevent the formation and growth of harmful microorganisms. In other words, if lactobacilli predominate in the vagina, then female immunity is strong. It is a large number of these "beneficial" bacteria that provokes white, thick discharge in women without smell.
Mucic discharge is considered normal, it turns white on underwear due to the presence of epithelial cells. Such thick, odorless discharge in women is an excellent confirmation that the ovaries are working normally and the vagina is evenly cleansed throughout the day.
The phases of the menstrual cycle determine the color and consistency of the discharge.
Menstrual phases
- 1-7 days. In women, thick discharge of a pinkish or brownish tint, there may be clots. By the end of this phase, the amount of secret decreases.
- 5-14 day. In this phase, the maturation of the egg occurs, in women, white thick discharge can be observed.
- 14-15 day. Ovulation phase, the hormone estrogen is released in large quantities, and vaginal discharge increases.
- 16-28 day. Premenstrual phase, discharge decreases.
Factors of normal discharge
A woman need not worry if her discharge has the following characteristics:
- Transparent or white, slightly yellowish tinge possible.
- No scent.
- The consistency is liquid.
- No more than one teaspoon by volume.
- May be stronger before critical days, after sex or when sexually aroused.
When carrying a fetus
During pregnancy, the hormonal background is significantly rebuilt, while hormones can be at different levels in different trimesters. This is consideredthe norm. The rush of blood to the genitals increases, women have a white, thick, odorless discharge.
The causes of white thick discharge in women in early pregnancy can be different: this is the fixation of the fetal egg, and a sharp increase in hormones. But there is always one cause for concern - the he alth of the baby, so it is important to monitor your well-being every day and visit a gynecologist.
After the baby is born
Immediately after giving birth, for the first time, a woman has spotting, because the body has not yet had time to recover, the general state of he alth is weak, and the hormonal background is unstable. But after a few months, in newly-made mothers, the cycle and all processes in the body are restored, the usual transparent, and sometimes thick, odorless discharges appear in women. And this is the norm, the body began to function normally.
But if yellow thick discharge appears in women, this is an occasion to immediately contact a specialist for further diagnosis.
Immediately after the critical days
The presence of mucous discharge immediately after menstruation is considered the norm, but there is one pathology that is important to notice.
If immediately after the critical days there is a thick white discharge in women, this may be the first symptom of cervicitis. With this disease, inflammation occurs in the cervix. As a rule, cervicitis occurs when the banal rules of personal hygiene are not observed. The cause of white thick discharge in women can also be promiscuity andfrequent change of partners.
Classified by color
1. White, thick discharge in women, odorless.
White color is normal for the female body, as a rule, is not a pathology of the reproductive system. The amount of such secretions is small and depends on the phase of menstruation, such a secret is not an irritant to the mucous membranes and skin.
There are a number of functions that perform such selections:
- Moisture during intercourse. They prevent the occurrence of microcracks in the vagina, do not allow injuries.
- Exchange. The secret of the gonads destroys unnecessary cells in the vagina.
- Purification. The top layer of the epithelium peels off to form new cells.
- Protection and formation of immunity, increasing the body's resistance to external factors.
2. Yellow thick discharge in women.
They usually appear in the presence of pathogens that cause sexually transmitted diseases. In addition to discharge, a woman may experience itching and discomfort in the intimate area.
3. Greenish discharge.
Green is the first sign that the discharge contains dead white blood cells. This is how a bacterial infection manifests itself. This secret is called leucorrhea. Green discharge indicates an inflammatory process in the vagina, in the fallopian tubes or in the ovaries.
4. Purulent discharge.
This is a clear sign that there is a disease in the body that has not been given due attention. In other words, it is neglected or not cured in time.infection.
Thrush
Thrush (candidiasis) is one of the most common causes of thick discharge in women. This is a mucosal lesion that causes a fungus of the genus Candida.
In the vagina, these microorganisms are constantly present. The disease begins when their number becomes too large. The following factors provoke the active growth of fungal colonies:
- Unstable hormonal background.
- Taking hormonal drugs.
- Stress.
- Bad food.
- Pregnancy.
- Treatment with antibiotics.
The difference between discharge from thrush is their specific sour smell and curdled consistency.
For the prevention of thrush, it is important to eat right, maintain personal hygiene, maintain a proper sex life and regularly undergo preventive examinations at the gynecologist.
First signs that you have an infection
The thick discharge in women discussed above can be a sign of a serious sexual infection. If you have had unprotected intercourse or you suspect your partner of cheating, watch your body. We list the signs by which an infectious infection can be determined:
- Burning in the intimate area.
- Thick white discharge in women and itching.
- Painful intercourse.
- Eruptions on the labia.
- Dryness in the intimate area.
- Swollen lymph nodes (not necessarily just in the groin, maybe all over the body).
- Irregular menstruation.
- Foamy discharge.
- Frequent urge to urinate.
- Pain during urination.
List of sexually transmitted infections
Not all infections are transmitted only during sexual intercourse, many microorganisms can survive outside the human body, for example, on personal hygiene items. It is important to understand that you can get infected in various ways. To do this, it is useful to know what sexual infections exist and how they can be transmitted. Dangerous diseases include:
- Syphilis. The disease causes pale treponema, which affects the skin, mucous membranes and bones. It is transmitted sexually, through the blood and personal belongings of the patient. For example, it is easy to get infected by using a patient's toothbrush. First signs: rash on body and genitals.
- Gonorrhea. The causative agent is gonococcus, which spreads to the urethra and the walls of the vagina. The first manifestation is a white thick discharge in women with purulent clots, as well as a burning sensation during urination.
- Trichomoniasis. It is transmitted sexually and through everyday life, in women it manifests itself with abundant thick yellow discharge, there is pain during intercourse.
- Chlamydia. Chlamydia affects a he althy body, but for a long time almost does not manifest itself. This is a very dangerous disease, as it can become chronic and have serious consequences.
- Ureaplasmosis. It is transmitted not only sexually, but also during childbirth (from mother to baby). Passes without brightsevere symptoms.
- Gardnerellosis. Gardnerella displace he althy lactobacilli in the vagina, thereby causing bacterial vaginosis. The primary symptom is thick discharge in women and itching.
- Human papillomavirus (HPV). It is transmitted through sexual and domestic contact. Warts and papillomas may appear on the body - this is the primary manifestation.
- Cytomegalovirus. Domestic and sexual transmission, passes without symptoms, dangerous for pregnant women, as it affects the fetus.
All women know that it is necessary to visit a gynecologist every six months for a preventive examination. But, unfortunately, no more than 25-30% of the female population complies with this requirement.
Is there a need for such frequent visits to the medical office? Undoubtedly yes! After all, there are such diseases, the treatment of which will be productive only in case of timely treatment. But preventive examinations are not mandatory. This is every woman's choice. I would like to pay special attention to those cases in which a woman should go to the gynecological office.
When you need to see a doctor
Make an appointment with a doctor if you notice the following symptoms:
- Bleeding. If blood discharge suddenly appears between menstrual bleeding, this may indicate quite serious pathologies. It is impossible to postpone the visit to the antenatal clinic.
- Unaccustomed discharge. The female reproductive system is designed in such a way thatevery day she needs to renew the mucous membrane, so every woman has a small natural discharge. Usually, they are odorless, transparent or slightly hazy in consistency. The cause of thick discharge in women may be a banal climate change. But if you notice that the daily secretion has changed, an unpleasant odor has appeared, you need to urgently visit a gynecologist.
- Burning. Perhaps this is an allergy, or maybe some kind of "bell" that the body is affected by some kind of infection.
- Itching. If it appears after unprotected intercourse or you have changed partners, then you need to see a doctor for testing. If you live a habitual sex life, itching may appear from insufficient adherence to feminine hygiene.
- It hurts the lower abdomen. The reasons can be different, from banal hypothermia to internal bleeding. Don't hesitate to see a doctor.
- Sharp pain during intercourse. Such a symptom often signals the presence of diseases of the cervix or adhesive processes. It can also be a symptom of an infectious disease.
If something bothers you, you should immediately make an appointment with a gynecologist and conduct an examination! Any delay can cost a worsening of the condition, and the disease can become chronic.
Detecting a disease at an early stage will save a lot of time, nerves and money. Ignoring symptoms and feeling worse is a recipe for infertility, ectopic pregnancies and hormonal fluctuations.
How to make an appointment with a gynecologist
If you need a preventive examination, then your visit to the gynecologist is not an emergency. Therefore, you must first make an appointment with the doctor. You can contact the district antenatal clinic or a private medical center. Let us consider in more detail the appeal to the antenatal clinic.
You can sign up directly at the antenatal clinic itself at the reception window, and now almost every institution has the possibility of electronic appointment with a specialist - the monitor of a special device displays the work schedules of all doctors, different colors indicate whether the right time is busy or free. If the choice of a particular doctor is important, then you can make a selection by last name.
The most convenient way to register is through the online portal. You do not need to leave your apartment or work, just go to your personal account, select a medical institution, doctor and the nearest convenient time, and the system will display your data in the consultation registry. Time will be booked.
When an appointment with a gynecologist is not required
There are situations in life in which you do not need to make an appointment with a doctor in advance, this is an emergency. If you are worried about pain in the lower abdomen, painful urination, purulent discharge or bleeding that does not go away within a few hours, then you need to go to an appointment with the doctor on duty without waiting in line. The specialist is obliged to immediately respond to acute complaints, prescribe treatment or planned hospitalization.
If your he alth does not allowget to the nearest medical facility, you need to call an ambulance at home.
