Is vaginal secretions normal?

Written By The HealthMeth Team - Updated On Wednesday, February 16, 2022 3:00 PM

Is vaginal secretions normal?

Yes, the glands inside the uterus and cervix make simple secretions. These secretions come out from the vagina every day, carrying with them the old cells covering the vagina, and this is the body's way of maintaining the health and cleanliness of the vagina.

These secretions are usually clear or milky and odorless, and the secretions of the uterus and fallopian tubes reach their peak during ovulation.

In addition, the uterine glands increase their secretions during pregnancy, as a result of the use of contraceptives (pills containing estrogen and progestin) or as a result of regular vaginal baths that irritate and stimulate the cervix to secrete.

The color and thickness of vaginal secretions change with the menstrual cycle, as the secretions are more abundant at the time of ovulation, during breastfeeding, or when sexual arousal.

What are the signs of a pathological change

  • Changes that may be a sign of the disease are an increase in the amount of secretions or a change in color or smell,
  • The presence of itching or burning in or around the vagina, which is called vaginal infections.
  • Secretions associated with blood other than the menstrual cycle may be a sign of a problem, so the doctor should be informed when any of these problems occur.

Steps to prevent vaginal infections

1. When using the bathroom, always wipe from front to back to prevent germs from spreading from the anus to the vagina.

2. Wear cotton underwear (cotton clothing helps breathability).

3. Avoid wearing tight underwear or clothes that contain nylon.

4. Replace detergents if they cause you an allergy.

5. Some of the methods used to control pregnancy, such as condoms, may cause allergies, and they must be replaced by condoms that are not coated with lubricants that cause allergies.

6. Bathe daily and dry the pubic area well.

7. Wash the towel used for drying daily or use paper towels to dry the pubic area.

8. Avoid using perfumed materials, perfumed or colored tissue paper, or soaking in bubbles.

9. Avoid using vaginal lotion.

What are fungal infections?

Usually there are few fungi in a healthy vagina, but if it grows too much, this leads to the occurrence of fungal infections.

Signs of fungal infections

  • White cheesy discharge.
  • Swelling and pain around the vaginal opening.
  • Severe itching.
  • Pain during sexual intercourse.

Fungal infections usually do not come as a result of an infection from the husband, but you may be more susceptible to fungal infection when you use antibiotics, or if you are pregnant and have diabetes, or if you sit more often in hot and humid places for long periods, as some types of food such as yeasts can increase the possibility of these infections. Some women develop persistent fungal infections for no reason.

How do you treat fungal infections?

Fungi are usually treated with a drug that is placed inside the vagina or taken by mouth.

What are bacterial infections?

The cause of bacterial infections of the vagina types of bacteria, the cause of which is not known, and often it is not transmitted through sexual intercourse.

Signs associated with this disease:

  • White vaginal discharge that tends to be yellowish or greenish-gray in color has a musty smell similar to the smell of fish and is stronger after sexual intercourse or washing with soap.
  • Itching or burning.
  • Slight redness or swelling of the vagina or vaginal opening.

How do you treat bacterial infections?

  • It is usually treated with antibiotic pills.
  • Bacterial infections are usually associated with pelvic infections, which may cause infertility, pelvic adhesions, ectopic pregnancy, or cause pregnancy problems such as premature birth or low-weight babies.

What are trichomoniasis?

It is caused by the Trichomonas bacteria, and you may be infected with this bacteria for a long time without becoming aware of it.

Some of the signs of this disease:

  • Watery, bubblegum secretions that tend to be yellowish or greenish.
  • Uncomfortable smell.
  • Pain and itching when urinating.
  • They appear more after the cycle.

Trichomoniasis is transmitted from an infected person through sexual intercourse without the use of any condom.

Treat it:

It is usually treated with antibiotic pills. This type of infection may cause premature births or low birth weight babies.

Other infections

There are two types of venereal diseases that are transmitted through sexual intercourse, and they are:

Chlamydia and gonorrhea (gonorrhea), both of which cause bacterial infections in the cervix, may be the signs associated with this disease is an increase in vaginal secretions only.

How to treat it:

Both of these diseases can be treated with needles or antibiotic pills

Dr. Abdel Raouf Riad