What does orange discharge mean in a woman and whether it needs to be treated. Possible causes of yellow discharge in women with photos. Deviations from the norm

Discharge from the genital organs is a natural process in a woman’s body and accompanies her throughout her life. The abundance, density, and shade of the secreted fluid can vary within established limits, and are due to the following reasons, such as the time of menstruation, breastfeeding, pregnancy, and hormone therapy. Yellowish vaginal discharge may also occur, but is this normal?

A significant number of women are bothered by yellow vaginal discharge. This is due to the fact that the shade of the discharge is predisposed to a natural shade and, on the contrary, talk about severe processes of inflammation, infections inside the vagina, spread through sexual intercourse.

The entire female half of society should learn to understand their secretions, when they are naturally yellowish in color, and where they are combined with pathological processes.

Experts prove that vaginal fluid has normal colors – transparent and white. This discharge is called leucorrhoea. It happens that discharge that is white takes on a yellow tint and is not associated with any inflammation. The basis for such changes are changes in hormones, the use of contraceptive drugs, and stressful situations.

When the discharge has no odor, it does not cause discomfort, and there is no itching, burning, or pain, then it is a natural shade of leucorrhoea. When these symptoms are disturbing, it means that an infectious inflammation has appeared, which passes during sexual intercourse and the inflammatory process.

It is considered natural that when, after sexual intercourse, the sperm remaining in the woman’s vagina is excreted in the form of yellowish clots.

Before menstruation, during pregnancy, during the period of ovulation, in a larger percentage of the female half, the excreted volume does not exceed the usual amount by much. It is worth paying due attention to the fact that when you are pregnant, you will need to be more careful about such changes, because the expectant mother’s body is significantly prone to infection during this period.

Pathology

1. An infection transmitted to each other through sexual contact is trichomoniasis.
2. The predominance of bacterial infection in the acute phase, for example, adnexitis, salpingitis - there is an infection on the uterine tubes.
3. The cervix is ​​affected by erosion, the course of adnexitis and salpingitis is chronic.
4. The disease gonorrhea is represented by yellow purulent discharge, which has a bad odor, a burning sensation in the genitals and itching, and the volume of discharge is significant.

Pathologies of an infectious nature that occur during sexual contact are awakened by various microorganisms. They contribute to the process of inflammation, burning, and discomfort. Trichomoniasis is quite common.

Trichomonas

Trichomoniasis is an infectious disease. During its penetration into the body, foamy, copious discharge appears. They have a yellow-green color and a pungent odor. The disease is also accompanied by severe burning, itching of the genitals, and irritation. During this period, the woman knows for sure that this is not normal discharge, and the success of treatment depends on the timeliness of seeing a doctor.

Gonorrhea

This is a disease in which the vagina discharges a moderate amount of yellowish-white fluid and has a bad odor. Often during this infection, severe aching pain is felt when emptying the bladder, the stomach hurts, and blood may leak. Discharge is often accompanied by symptoms of adnexitis and salpingitis.

Candidiasis

Thrush is a thick, profuse discharge from the genitals. They resemble curd lumps of white or yellowish color. Thrush causes severe itching, redness, and swelling of the vagina.

All women have “good” bacteria in their vagina. Due to their vital activity, microflora and acidity are maintained at the required level, and the body is protected from infections. Often, the quantitative composition of bacteria can change due to poor intimate hygiene, metabolic disorders, etc., which leads to the proliferation of candida, or thrush, as well as vaginosis.

Vaginosis

In a patient with vaginosis, the discharge is abundant, has a gray-white tint, there is a bad smell (rotten fish), the itching of the genital organs on the outside is slight, and appears from time to time. Symptoms intensify after sex. Long-term prevalence of the disease is characterized by sticky discharge, which has a yellow-green tint.

During the examination, the doctor will see an even distribution of discharge on the walls of the vagina. Vaginosis poses a threat to a pregnant woman, possibly fetal rejection or premature birth. Bacteria, passing into the uterus, can cause an inflammatory process in its mucous membrane.

Chlamydia

In a woman with chlamydia, abundant fluid formations appear infrequently from the genitals. The color of chlamydia discharge is yellow. Examining a woman, the doctor can see how fluid is released from the cervix and flows down the vaginal lining. A woman is tormented by painful sensations in the abdomen below, during emptying of the bladder, when the Bartholin gland is enlarged and painful.

Other pathologies

With colpitis, inflammation occurs due to the passage of various microorganisms into the vagina, which cause pain. These include Trichomonas, candida, streptococcus, chlamydia. Colpitis causes the following symptoms:

• foamy formations of the secreted liquid of a yellowish tint;
• they have a bad smell;
• the labia and vagina swell;
• in the perineal area the woman is bothered by a burning sensation and itching.

Various yellow shades of discharge can appear when the genital organs are swollen inside and outside. A frequent symptom is the formation of a fistula, which connects the genital tract with the intestines and urinary canal. An ulcer manifests itself from the formation of a low-quality tumor. A bad odor in the secreted fluid and a bright yellow tint is associated with a malignant tumor in the bladder.

It happens that yellow fluid appears due to erosion on the cervix. With erosion, an inflammatory process occurs. Often, after sexual contact, blood is released. Also, during the period of inflammation of internal organs, the characteristics of leucorrhoea may change.

These diseases should be treated immediately and can lead to serious problems and infertility.

Prevention and treatment

The main cause of bacterial damage to the genital organs is dysbacteriosis. It appears due to untimely or poor-quality hygienic care of the genitals, frequent douching, uncontrolled use of antibiotics and hormonal drugs, and sex without contraception.

Preventive measures for yellow discharge are aimed at:

• cure diseases in the female body;
• taking medications under the supervision of a doctor;
• high-quality hygiene of the intimate area;
• protection against infections transmitted through sexual contact;
• It is recommended that a woman wear loose underwear;
• wash off with a shower.

Scented sanitary pads and products used to treat the perineum should not be used. You should not walk around in things that are tight to your body.

Twice a day you need to wash your genitals with warm water. To eliminate itching and odor, you should use a liquid made from soda - dilute 1 tablespoon of soda with 1 liter of water. After finishing the procedure, you need to dry the perineum well with a towel.

Yellow discharge in women who do not change color for a long time indicates the presence of pathological processes of an infectious nature in the reproductive organs. At first, they may not be accompanied by discomfort in the perineum and may not have any foreign odor. As the disease progresses, itching, a burning sensation in the vagina, and pain in the genitals may appear.

Normal vaginal fluid

With a healthy vaginal microflora and the absence of pathological processes in the genital organs, the discharge can take on a color from transparent or light white to a yellowish tint. It depends on the period of the menstrual cycle.

The main signs of normal yellowish discharge:

1. The daily amount of liquid is no more than 5–6 ml. At the same time, an increase in volume is permissible during intimate relationships, before menstruation.
2. Lack of thickness and abundance of mucus. The exception is the period of ovulation, when the mucus becomes creamy.
3. No bright traces of liquid on underwear or bed. It is acceptable if the vaginal consistency becomes yellow, but does not leave bright marks.
4. Leucorrhoea without unpleasant odor and discomfort in the genitals. The presence of a sour odor with yellow discharge is acceptable, but it should be insignificant and disappear after ovulation.

It is worth noting that yellow discharge does occur, the main thing is that there is no discomfort (pain, itching, burning), odor or other negative manifestations.

Reasons for deviations from the norm

Vaginal fluid helps determine the presence of many infectious diseases. It is a change in vaginal mucus that signals the development of inflammation in the genitals. In the first stages of the development of the disease, there may be no significant signs; here it is worth paying attention to the abundance, duration and color of the discharge.

Causes of pathological yellow discharge:

It is worth noting that yellow discharge is abnormal if it occurs after sexual intercourse and is accompanied by pain and itching in the perineum.

The main symptoms accompanying yellow discharge, which should alert a woman:

• Swelling of the external genitalia, burning and itching in the perineum. In this case, the yellow discharge becomes a cheesy consistency, and a rotten smell is clearly present.
• An increase in the amount of discharge, the appearance of a yellowish tint and a fishy odor. There may be no itching. This condition indicates the development of trichomoniasis.
• Yellow mucus mixed with blood may indicate the presence of benign or malignant seals in the genital organs.

Such signs should force a woman to immediately consult a doctor. Otherwise, the disease will progress and ultimately lead to serious consequences.

The cause of yellowish discharge may be abortion. After artificial termination of pregnancy, yellow mucus can be observed for up to 3 months. An admixture of blood is also considered normal here, since microvessels could have been damaged during an abortion.

The presence of yellow discharge after an abortion is also explained by the fact that a decrease in immunity occurred in the body, as a result of which pathogenic bacteria (streptococci, staphylococci) could penetrate into the vaginal microflora.

As for yellowish discharge during pregnancy, its cause may be changes that occur in a woman’s hormonal background in the first trimester. They are odorless and completely safe and are considered normal. If the yellow color is accompanied by an unpleasant odor in the second and third trimester of pregnancy, you should consult a doctor. This condition may indicate inflammation in the uterine tubes and ovaries. The discharge may become bright yellow or orange.

It is worth noting that normal discharge, although it turns yellow, should not have any foreign odor. Without discomfort (itching, burning, difficulty urinating, pain in the lower abdomen) during sexual intercourse or visiting the toilet, they occur and are completely normal. But if any of the listed symptoms are present, you should immediately consult a doctor.

Yellowish vaginal discharge normally does not cause any discomfort to a woman. They do not cause pain, have no odor, do not interfere with sexual intercourse and do not cause difficulty urinating or a burning sensation during it. Therefore, it is necessary to listen to your body and, at the first signs of pathological processes, seek help from the hospital. This behavior will help not only to detect unpleasant diseases in time, but will also make it possible to avoid negative consequences in the future.

WHO SAID THAT IT IS HARD TO CURE INFERTILITY?

• Have you been wanting to conceive a child for a long time?
• Many methods have been tried, but nothing helps...
• Diagnosed with thin endometrium...
• In addition, for some reason the recommended medications are not effective in your case...
• And now you are ready to take advantage of any opportunity that will give you the long-awaited baby!

According to research, vaginal discharge is as physiological as the production of saliva, sweat or tears. They perform certain functions in the body and are found in absolutely healthy women. Heavy vaginal discharge is completely normal and contains cervical mucus, epithelial cells, and 5 to 12 types of microorganisms (normal).

Normal vaginal discharge is acidic, which is possible due to the presence of lactobacilli. But under certain conditions, the nature and composition of the discharge may change. In this case, we can talk about pathological discharge, indicating diseases of the genitourinary system.

Discharge after menstruation

Vaginal discharge after menstruation can be physiological and pathological. Normally, postmenstrual discharge is dark brown in color. This is due to increased blood clotting at the end of menstruation and its slow release. Physiological secretions are odorless.

An unpleasant odor accompanying vaginal discharge before and after menstruation indicates the possible presence of chlamydia, ureaplasma, mycoplasma or.

If discharge does not appear immediately after menstruation, but after a few days, then an uterine or ectopic pregnancy can be suspected. In this case, the woman needs to contact a gynecologist.

Normal discharge

Normal vaginal discharge comes in many varieties. This variety will depend on the woman’s age, sexual activity and hormonal status.

It is possible to determine which vaginal discharge is normal and which is pathological thanks to some general criteria:

• slightly sour smell or its complete absence;
• homogeneous thick consistency (liquid sour cream), lumps up to 3 mm are acceptable;
• transparent or with a white tint;
• the total amount of discharge does not exceed 1 to 4 ml per day.

Physiological discharge is never accompanied. However, when changing sexual partners, the amount of vaginal discharge may increase.

Types of vaginal discharge

There are many types of vaginal discharge, which can have both physiological and pathological origins. If the discharge has an unpleasant odor, purulent consistency, or is accompanied by a burning sensation, pain or other symptoms of discomfort, you should immediately consult a doctor.

We answered in more detail below the question about what types of vaginal discharge there are.

Watery discharge

Watery vaginal discharge may indicate inflammation of the fallopian tubes or cervical erosion. This is due to the fact that when the fallopian tube is inflamed, the secretion of cells through the uterine cavity enters the vagina.

Normally, liquid vaginal discharge may occur in pregnant women. The appearance of vaginal discharge like water is not an independent sign of the disease, but signals the presence of a pathological process in the body.

Purulent discharge

Purulent vaginal discharge may indicate inflammatory diseases, such as bacterial vaginitis, salpingitis, cervicitis, as well as some sexually transmitted diseases ().

The discharge becomes liquid or foamy, has an unpleasant odor and is yellow-green in color. They are often abundant.

Transparent selections

Transparent vaginal discharge accompanies the normal functioning of the genital organs. They are an indicator of cyclical changes in the body associated with the normal functioning of the ovaries.

Transparent mucous discharge from the vagina is a physiological fluid, which contains epithelial cells, lymph, mucus and microorganisms. Copious transparent vaginal discharge can become pathological only in girls under 10 years of age.

Mucus discharge

Mucous discharge from the vagina is normal in most cases; it is due to the nature of the uterine secretion. If vaginal discharge looks like snot, is accompanied by an unpleasant odor and is streaked with blood, then this may indicate cysts and erosions present in the body.

In addition, jelly-like vaginal discharge may indicate the presence of inflammatory diseases of the uterus and ovaries. Mucus discharge from the vagina mixed with blood can also occur during an ectopic pregnancy.

Bloody discharge

As a rule, small amounts of blood discharge from the vagina occur before and after menstruation. Also, spotting from the vagina may appear in women taking oral contraceptives in the first 2 months from the start of use.

If vaginal discharge with blood is not associated with the physiological cycle, it may be a manifestation of cervical cancer pathologies, endometriosis or advanced erosion. In this case, it is best to consult a gynecologist to find out the nature of such discharge.

White discharge

White vaginal discharge with a cheesy consistency almost always indicates... At the beginning of the disease, the discharge of leucorrhoea from the vagina is small, but if left untreated, it can become profuse. Often white thick discharge from, itching and.

Upon examination, the mucous membrane of the external genital organs is covered with a curdled or milky coating, which is easily removed.

Brown discharge

Brown vaginal discharge normally occurs at the end of the menstrual cycle and at the beginning of sexual activity. Pathological brown vaginal discharge occurs with thrush, trichomoniasis, or inflammation of the vagina.

Brownish vaginal discharge is also observed when the menstrual cycle is disrupted.

Yellow discharge

If yellow vaginal discharge has a faint yellow tint and is not accompanied by discomfort, then this is normal.

If the vaginal discharge is yellow in color and has a rich hue and is accompanied by itching, pain or an unpleasant odor, then we can say that this is observed with inflammation of the uterine appendages and sexually transmitted infections. In addition, yellowish vaginal discharge is also observed with cervical erosions.

Black discharge

Most often, black discharge from the vagina can occur during inflammatory diseases or when using hormonal contraceptives.

Pink discharge

Normally, pink vaginal discharge may appear during ovulation. If pink discharge from the vagina is accompanied by discomfort in the lower abdomen, then doctors may suspect cervical erosion.

Faint pinkish vaginal discharge, aggravated by pain, may indicate various.

Dark discharge

Dark vaginal discharge normally occurs before, after and in the middle of the menstrual cycle. If the discharge is accompanied by abdominal pain or other discomfort, then cervical erosion, pelvic inflammation, or the presence of sexually transmitted diseases can be suspected.

Orange discharge

Orange vaginal discharge that appears after unprotected sex indicates infection with trichomoniasis or. If there is no sexual activity, such discharge may indicate bacterial vaginosis.

Gray discharge

Serous vaginal discharge is considered normal if it is not accompanied by pain in the lower abdomen, itching, or unpleasant odor. If gray vaginal discharge is accompanied by pain, then one may suspect the presence of infections such as ureaplasmosis or mycoplasmosis. Consultation with a gynecologist is necessary.

Foamy discharge

Foamy vaginal discharge can be caused by stress, nervous fatigue, or recent unprotected intercourse. Most often, foamy discharge is accompanied by trichomoniasis.

Discharge flakes

Flaky vaginal discharge is most common with vaginal candidiasis (thrush). They also have a characteristic white color and sour odor.

Brown discharge

Typically, brown vaginal discharge is considered normal only at the beginning and end of menstruation. In other cases, these are pathologies, the causes of which are determined in the laboratory.

Creamy discharge

Quite often, creamy vaginal discharge can indicate pregnancy, and if there is discomfort, it can indicate pathological diseases of the genital organs.

Colorless discharge

Most often, colorless vaginal discharge that is not accompanied by physical discomfort or odor is completely normal. If you are also concerned about discomfort in the genital area, you should consult a doctor.

Cloudy discharge

Cloudy vaginal discharge is most common with bacterial vaginosis and sexually transmitted diseases.

Sticky discharge

Sticky vaginal discharge may indicate the presence of thrush or other genitourinary infections in the body. One way or another, the situation requires medical intervention.

Light discharge

Light-colored vaginal discharge—white, transparent, or slightly tinged with pink or yellow—is normal. However, it is worth remembering that normally their number is minimal, and any discomfort, itching or burning in the vaginal or labia area indicates the presence of infections, which requires contacting a gynecologist.

Green discharge

Green vaginal discharge indicates an increased level of white blood cells. Greenish vaginal discharge, therefore, indicates bacterial inflammation of the uterus and its appendages.

Treatment of discharge

Many women practice self-treatment of vaginal discharge. But this may not only be ineffective, but also harmful in itself, since with or chamomile decoction, beneficial microorganisms are washed out of the vagina. Therefore, treatment for vaginal discharge should be prescribed and monitored by a doctor.

If pathological discharge appears, you must contact a gynecologist to diagnose the disease that caused it. After identifying the cause, the doctor will prescribe treatment for the underlying disease, as well as procedures aimed at restoring the vaginal microflora and increasing the body’s immunoresistance.

Vaginal discharge in a child

Vaginal discharge in a child can be either a physiological process or a sign of a disease.

A girl should not experience vaginal discharge before puberty; it appears about a year before the start of menstruation. The causes of pathological discharge in children may be:

• diabetes;
• inflammation of the vagina;
• worms;
• upper respiratory tract diseases;
• antibiotic therapy;
• thrush;
• allergic reactions.

Vaginal discharge in adolescents who have sexual relations may indicate sexually transmitted diseases. Often the onset of sexual activity is normally accompanied by discharge that does not cause physical discomfort.

Discharge in newborns

Physiological vaginal discharge in newborns can occur in the first week of life during a hormonal crisis. This is due to the fact that their body gets rid of the mother’s hormones and begins to form its own hormonal background. If vaginal discharge in a baby is accompanied by pain or itching, you should immediately consult a doctor to determine the cause of these symptoms.

Causes of discharge

Basically, the causes of vaginal discharge are due to one of the physiological processes in the body, unless they are accompanied by itching, pain or an unpleasant odor. If they change their character and cause discomfort to the woman, then they are already talking about pathological discharge. They can occur with bacterial inflammation of the genital organs, erosion, polyps, polycystic disease, venereal and fungal diseases.

It is possible to reliably determine the reason why vaginal discharge suddenly changed its properties only by laboratory methods.

Discharge from a cold

When you have a cold, vaginal discharge can become fungal in nature. This is due to the fact that hypothermia and viral diseases disrupt the balance of normal microflora. Most often, thrush can develop against the background of a cold. It also manifests itself as cheesy vaginal discharge.

If an inflammatory process in the ovaries begins during a cold, the discharge becomes abundant and may even contain streaks of blood.

Discharge during menopause

Vaginal discharge during menopause is not normal. They may indicate inflammatory diseases, tumors and neoplasms in the breast and genitals. As a rule, discharge during menopause can be in the form of exudate, which indicates inflammation, or transudate - in diseases of a non-inflammatory nature.

The exudate has a mucous consistency and contains protein. It may be catarrhal, purulent, serous, fibrinous or hemorrhagic. The consistency of the transudate is liquid and does not contain protein. It is either straw-colored or transparent with an admixture of blood and other body fluids.

Discharge during defecation

It should be noted that vaginal discharge during defecation is a pathological process. Copious discharge with an unpleasant odor is observed mainly with. Bloody discharge indicates hemorrhoids or intestinal fistulas. If the discharge becomes purulent or mucous in nature, an inflammatory process or tumor disintegration can be suspected.

Taste of discharge

The taste of vaginal discharge largely depends on the nationality, the nature of the food consumed and the presence of certain diseases of the genitourinary system. In general, a healthy woman's discharge tastes like sour milk.

Salty discharge

Salty vaginal discharge appears when an alkaline environment forms in the vagina. This is a pathological phenomenon that occurs during bacterial infections and inflammations that require medical intervention.

Acid discharge

Acidic vaginal discharge is normal. If the sour taste becomes pronounced, this may indicate a fungal infection of the vaginal mucosa - thrush (candidiasis). In this case, you need to see a gynecologist and probably undergo a course of treatment.

By the color and nature of the discharge, the expectant mother can determine whether everything is in order with her body. Normally, after conception, mucus changes consistency, but not color: it should remain transparent. However, when carrying a baby, the secretion often becomes colored. What does yellow, pink, orange discharge indicate during pregnancy? Should you panic when you see “colored” mucus? When should you immediately consult a doctor, and when can a phenomenon be considered normal?

During pregnancy, you must follow your doctor's recommendations.

The nature of female secretion depends on the menstrual cycle. The maturation of the egg is accompanied by liquid, fairly abundant discharge. Before ovulation, the secretion changes. It becomes slimy and stretchy, but usually remains transparent. The viscous consistency facilitates the “meeting” of the egg and sperm. When the egg leaves the follicle, the secretion becomes thicker and turns white.

Mucus determines not only ovulation, but also the onset of conception. Discharge during early pregnancy is lingering. They owe this consistency to progesterone, which begins to be actively produced from the moment of fertilization. It is believed that such a secret can be used to early determine successful conception. Of course, this is an indirect sign, but often expectant mothers are guided by it, and the “interesting” situation is confirmed.

A plug is formed from the mucus. It is needed to protect the embryo from external influences and infections that enter the genital tract. When the cervix is ​​plugged, the discharge may vary. This usually happens after the 13th week. The secretion becomes liquid and is released in larger quantities. This means that the main function has now passed to estrogen.

The expectant mother needs to know what discharge is considered normal so as not to worry unnecessarily. The absolute norm is presented in the table:

But there are also variants of the norm. After conception, the expectant mother’s body undergoes hormonal changes, to which it can react in different ways. If you experience discharge that differs from what is considered normal, you should consult a doctor. This is the only way to play it safe and understand whether “colored” discharge is acceptable or whether its color indicates some kind of pathology.

Yellow mucus as a normal option

In the first half of pregnancy, a woman may experience yellowish discharge. This color of mucus is considered a normal variant; if there is no specific smell, there is no feeling of discomfort. If the secretion of a yellowish tint in the 1st trimester does not indicate a disease, but appears as a result of hormonal changes, then it has a viscous consistency. Thickness and viscosity are due to the active production of progesterone, a hormone responsible for the normal course of the “interesting” situation. After the 12th week, yellowish discharge may also appear, but already abundant and liquid.

If you feel unwell, you should immediately consult a doctor

It is important to understand that only a light yellow secretion can be considered a normal variant (the yellowness of the mucus is light, barely noticeable). Such discharge is odorless and is not accompanied by itching or burning.

Often the secretion turns yellow due to the body's sensitivity to hygiene products. During pregnancy, reactions worsen; even the usual sanitary pads can become a strong irritant, causing itching and rash in the groin area. Even if nothing bothers the expectant mother, but she notices odorless yellow marks on her panty liners, the first thing she should do is change the hygiene product. It is worth choosing hypoallergenic pads created specifically for pregnant women. It is better not to hush up the appearance of “chromaticity” and report it to your gynecologist.

Sometimes yellow discharge is not discharge at all. The pad is stained yellow by drops of urine. Usually, slight incontinence appears at the turn of the 1st and 2nd trimester. The reason lies in changes in hormonal levels along with weakening of the pelvic muscles, which is natural during fetal growth. If yellow marks on laundry appear once, this is not a cause for concern. When the expectant mother sees them regularly, medical advice is indispensable.

Yellowness as an indicator of a problem

If the discharge turns yellow, changes structure and begins to smell, this is an alarming sign. Such a change in secretion indicates the penetration of infection and the presence of an inflammatory process. During the period of bearing a baby, the body is weakened, the vaginal microflora changes, which opens the way for pathogenic microorganisms, under the influence of which vaginal discharge is colored. The smell of secretion, painful urination, burning, itching sensations are clear signs of infection.

What secretion changes should cause alarm? The following discharge indicates a pathological condition:

• Abundant yellow. They signal an inflammatory process in the ovaries/fallopian tubes. Typically, such processes are accompanied by pain reactions (pain is felt in the lower abdomen); with tubal inflammation, an increase in temperature is also observed. If copious yellow mucus appears at the end of gestation, the mucus plug has moved away, and labor is approaching.
• Dark yellow. When the mucus resembles pus in color, tests usually reveal E. coli and staphylococci in the expectant mother.
• Yellow-brown/yellow-green. The secretion acquires this color in the presence of sexually transmitted diseases. If the discharge is bubbly, it is most likely gonorrhea or trichomoniasis.

If there are unpleasant sensations, the yellow color of the mucus is pronounced, then you should immediately consult a doctor. He will find the reason for the change in mucus color and select safe methods to eliminate the problem.

While expecting a baby, infections need to be treated in a timely manner. If this is not done, the lining of the uterus may suffer. This often leads to spontaneous miscarriage. Ideally, you should be tested for infections while you are planning your baby.

Orange discharge: causes and dangers

Often pregnant women experience orange discharge. They should alert you and force you to make an unscheduled appointment with your gynecologist. The secretion acquires an orange color if a sexually transmitted infection has entered the body of the expectant mother. It is not necessary that the infection occurred when the woman was already in an “interesting” position. Infections may not manifest themselves for a long time, and with the weakening of the immune system characteristic of pregnancy, they may progress sharply. It is important to check for sexually transmitted diseases before conceiving, and if they are detected, be sure to postpone planning until you have fully recovered.

Often the color of secretion can indicate pathology

However, orange discharge may appear even if treatment for sexual diseases was carried out before conception. This happens with improper therapy: if the disease has been treated, but the indicators have not been properly monitored. That is, orange discharge indicates that pathogens remain. They do not manifest themselves immediately after therapy. From the moment of fertilization, hormonal levels begin to change and metabolism is rebuilt. The remaining microorganisms lead to an exacerbation of the healed disease. In this case, pathological discharge is observed: usually it is orange, sometimes orange-yellow. Secretions that indicate infection always have an unpleasant odor. Its consistency changes: from liquid or viscous to thick.

Treatment of infections is a long process. And it’s always difficult, too. It is especially difficult to choose the appropriate therapy if the patient is pregnant: you need to choose medications that will not harm the baby. The selection of medications should be done by a doctor. First, tests are carried out that allow us to understand what disease the orange discharge indicates. Then the gynecologist prescribes drugs that are effective in each specific case. The doctor must take into account the period, because the same pills can be strictly prohibited in the 1st trimester, and are safe starting from the 2nd.

If the infection is treated in a timely manner and under the guidance of a competent specialist, then there are no risks for the expectant mother and the baby. Therapy cannot be delayed until after birth: infections prevent the baby from developing normally. Sexually transmitted diseases can cause miscarriage, so eliminating infections is a prerequisite for successful pregnancy.

Determine thrush by discharge

Being pregnant, many women “get to know” thrush. After implantation of the fertilized egg, the process of hormone restructuring begins. In the first months, progesterone is the main hormone. It has a unique ability to change the acidity in the vagina, thereby creating favorable conditions for the development of the fetus. Such changes, combined with a natural decrease in the protective functions of the pregnant woman’s body, provoke the proliferation of candida. The intensity of the process leads to the appearance of inflammatory foci.

The development of this fungal disease is undesirable during pregnancy. Infection can cause erosion, making pregnancy more difficult. The disease can be easily identified by its characteristic discharge. With candidiasis the following are observed:

• white secretion with a cheesy consistency (sometimes yellowish);
• intensive production of vaginal mucus;
• lumps, “flakes” in the discharge;
• specific “yeasty” (“sour”) smell.

Having seen such discharge, the expectant mother should not postpone a visit to her gynecologist. A fungal disease is indicated by discomfort, itching, burning in the perineum. If there is a specific smell, then it is definitely candidiasis. Only a doctor can confirm the diagnosis based on the results of smears. The task of a pregnant woman is to react in time to changes in the color and consistency of discharge and the appearance of odor.

Curdled discharge and discomfort must be eliminated. The gynecologist selects an effective treatment that has no side effects. When thrush makes itself known in the early stages, you have to wait until the 16th week. It is then that effective therapy can be carried out, which will definitely not harm the baby. At the beginning of pregnancy, candidiasis is combated exclusively by adjusting the diet. This allows you to return normal acidity to the vagina and prevent the subsequent proliferation of fungi - to take control of the disease until the moment when therapy is allowed.

The most dangerous secretions

A pregnant woman may experience “colored” discharge, which must be responded to immediately, otherwise the consequences will be serious. Dangerous ones include brown and bloody ones. If the secretion turns brown, this may indicate that:

• the fetus froze;
• the cervix is ​​damaged;
• implantation occurred outside the uterus;
• not enough progesterone is produced, which threatens spontaneous abortion.

Brown discharge during pregnancy in the second trimester almost always indicates danger. Whereas in the first they may be a variant of the norm. But only if it is not a lot of light brown discharge - “daub”. This phenomenon can be observed during menstruation at the beginning of pregnancy. After about six weeks from the moment of conception, the phenomenon disappears, less often it drags on until the end of the 1st trimester. You can find out whether the discharge is pathological or not only after visiting a gynecologist. It’s better to play it safe, because often dangerous conditions are manifested only by “colored” secretions and have no other symptoms. Especially at the beginning of pregnancy.

Expectant mothers are most afraid of spotting. And for good reason. They usually signal serious dangers for the baby. Blood impurities in mucus appear when:

• ectopic pregnancy;
• freezing of the embryo;
• high risks of self-abortion.

The expectant mother should rest if she is overly tired

In the early stages, such discharge is rarely accompanied by additional symptoms. If you notice blood on your underwear, you should immediately seek help. Sometimes whether the pregnancy will be saved depends only on a timely visit to the doctor. In the 2nd – 3rd trimester, spotting usually occurs in a complex of alarming symptoms: pain, spasm, fever, general malaise. Blood may indicate the onset of fetal rejection: the pregnancy cannot be saved, but timely measures will help minimize the risks to the patient’s health and eliminate the possibility of loss of reproductive function.

Bloody “daub” is observed during erosion. Whether treatment for this condition is necessary during pregnancy is determined by the doctor. If the erosion is significant, then ruptures may occur during delivery, so it is recommended to eliminate the pathological phenomenon.

Drops of blood can get into the secretion if the vaginal mucosa is injured during a careless gynecological examination. Droplets of blood turn the discharge pink. This phenomenon is not dangerous, everything returns to normal on its own.

What to do if you notice a deviation from the norm

While carrying a baby, you need to carefully monitor your body so as not to miss the signals it gives. If the discharge changes color, consistency, or becomes abundant, you should definitely contact your personal gynecologist. It is impossible to independently determine whether a “colored” secretion is a symptom of pathology. This is the doctor's task. The expectant mother needs to remember that orange, bright yellow, brown, red discharge and white “cottage cheese” are especially dangerous. They often indicate that a malfunction has occurred in the body. The unpleasant smell of secretion, the appearance of pain, burning sensation, and general malaise can help you suspect something is wrong.

The cause of the appearance of “colored” discharge can be determined by smears, blood tests, and ultrasound. When the preliminary diagnosis is confirmed, the doctor begins to select treatment. Some conditions require immediate correction, while for others expectant management is considered optimal - it all depends on the severity of the problem, the duration of pregnancy, possible risks, and the general health of the expectant mother.

The most difficult thing to deal with is the problems that arise in the 1st trimester. At this time, the embryo is just beginning to develop, the laying of organs and systems of the baby is taking place. When selecting therapeutic methods, it is important to use those that will not affect these processes. A specialist can choose the right treatment. The task of a woman in a position is to follow his instructions. If medications are prescribed, do not be afraid of them: there are drugs that can be used without risks to the fetus. Pharmacological medications should be taken according to the schedule drawn up by the doctor. Any “amateur activity” can end in failure. Some women prefer to treat thrush and sexually transmitted infections using traditional methods. In an “interesting” situation, all methods (even those that seem harmless) should be discussed with the doctor. Without knowing all the nuances, you can easily harm the baby.

If atypical discharge indicates termination of pregnancy, timely measures will help avoid infertility. Therefore, it is so important to immediately call an ambulance if blood is released from the vagina, brown discharge appears, changes in secretion are accompanied by nagging pain.

We reduce risks

It is almost impossible to predict how the body will react to pregnancy, to predict all the risks. Pregnant women often experience changes in the nature of their discharge, but if you adhere to certain rules, the chances that the secretion will correspond to the norm increase. The following factors play an important role:

• Daily hygiene. When carrying a baby, hygiene procedures are recommended to be carried out more often. You should not use scented gels for this: it is better to choose special products or use baby soap.
• “Correct” hygiene products. When choosing panty liners, you should pay attention to their hypoallergenicity. It is better to buy those without fragrances, because the body in an “interesting” position becomes sensitive to various kinds of irritants. It is forbidden to use tampons, even if the discharge has become profuse. They increase the risk of infection of the birth canal.
• Breathable underwear. Pregnant women should abandon panties made of synthetic fabric in favor of cotton underwear. It allows the skin to “breathe”, which reduces the risk of proliferation of pathogenic microorganisms. The underwear should not be too tight.

The best prevention of any complications is a conscious approach. You need to plan for conception by first checking your health. If planning doesn’t work out, then visiting a doctor in a timely manner, undergoing scheduled checkups, and carefully monitoring your well-being will help you bear a healthy baby.

Vaginal secretion performs a number of functions and is observed in all absolutely healthy women. Normal secretion has an acidic environment and consists of cervical mucus, epithelial cells, lactobacilli and other microorganisms. If the nature or color of vaginal discharge has changed, then this is a pathology that requires immediate treatment. Orange discharge should alert a woman.

Regulation of the menstrual cycle

Vaginal discharge in women of reproductive age is an absolutely normal situation, caused by hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle. It is known that menstruation is a rhythmic change in a woman’s body that ends in bleeding. The time of one cycle can vary individually within 21-35 days. Menstruation is determined by the ovarian and uterine cycles.

The ovarian cycle occurs in paired female organs, the ovaries. At the beginning of the cycle, one follicle begins to mature. The remaining follicles undergo atresia or reverse development. In the middle of the cycle, the follicle reaches a size of approximately 2 mm, after which it bursts and comes out. At this moment, pink or other bloody discharge is possible, since the release of the follicle is accompanied by rupture of small blood vessels.

At the site of the burst follicle, the menstrual corpus luteum is formed - a hormonally active formation that functions for 10-12 days. In the absence of fertilization, after 14 days the corpus luteum dies and transforms into the white body. This process is regulated by pituitary hormones: FSH and LH. FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) triggers the maturation of the follicle, and LH (luteinizing hormone) determines the hormonal functioning of the corpus luteum. The combination of these two hormones triggers the ovulation process.

The follicle itself is also a hormone-producing formation: estrogens are formed in it: estrone, estriol, estradiol. And progesterone is synthesized in the corpus luteum. In the case of fertilization of the egg, the menstrual corpus luteum is converted into the corpus luteum of pregnancy, ensuring the growth of the placenta and fetus throughout the gestation of the unborn child, but progesterone plays the greatest role in the first trimester. Progesterone relaxes the muscles of the uterus, and estrogens, on the contrary, cause uterine contractions, which has practical application in inducing labor.

The uterine cycle represents repeated changes in the lining of the uterus, the temporary cutoff of which is menstruation. The uterine cycle includes:

1. Proliferative phase - corresponds to the time of follicle maturation and lasts from 4 to 15 days from the beginning of the last menstruation: after the rejection of the old endometrium, the basal layer again begins to multiply intensively, increasing the layer of squamous epithelium.
2. Secretory phase - begins after ovulation and continues until the onset of menstruation: glycogen and glycosaminoglycans are formed in the glandular layer.
3. Menstruation - the triggering point is the death of the menstrual corpus luteum: in this case, desquamation of the uterine epithelium occurs, and then its regeneration.

Discharge is normal

Three days before menstruation, the number of leukocytes in the uterus increases and this corresponds to a thicker and richer vaginal secretion during this period. The nature of the discharge before menstruation is determined by the processes that occur in the uterine mucosa, namely, the beginning of epithelial rejection. A day or two before your period, you may have pink or light brown discharge. Similar pink mucous leucorrhoea is also discharged after menstruation, but not more than one day.

During the female cycle, vaginal discharge can change its characteristics and this is determined by the concentration of estrogen and progesterone in the blood.

At the beginning of the cycle, the discharge is light and transparent. At this time, the concentration of estrogen and progesterone is at a minimum. As the follicle begins to mature, it synthesizes various forms of estrogen. Estrogen promotes the accumulation of glycogen in the epithelial cells of the vagina (and uterus), which leads to the activation of the proliferation of lactobacilli, making the vaginal pH more acidic. At the same time, estrogen makes the discharge much more abundant, which makes sexual intercourse easier.

The environment created inside the vagina in the middle of the menstrual cycle promotes the survival of sperm, which then fertilize the egg. In the second half of the cycle, when the follicle bursts, it stops secreting estrogens and the menstrual corpus luteum takes over, which secretes progesterone. This hormone promotes the formation of thick mucus, the task of which is to protect the uterine cavity from infection if pregnancy occurs. If pregnancy has occurred, the mucus thickens even more, its volume increases and a dense mucus plug is formed in the cervical canal, isolating the embryo with its membranes from the external environment.

The normal color of the discharge ranges from transparent to white and yellowish. The yellowish color may be due to slight leukocytosis on the eve of menstruation and the admixture of red blood cells after ovulation in the middle of the cycle. Also, for the middle of the cycle, leucorrhoea of ​​a pinkish or light brownish color may be acceptable, since when the follicle ruptures, small vessels can be damaged.

The consistency of the discharge also changes from copious liquid with “stretchy threads” in the middle of the cycle to thick on the eve of menstruation. The smell is normal or absent, or there may be a slight sour smell.

Discharge due to pathology

In the life of every woman, it happens that the discharge has lost its characteristic properties and an unusual color, smell, and consistency are added to it.

If a woman has had a delay in her period, and after some time a bloody secretion is released from the vagina and there is pain on the right or left side, it makes sense to suspect an ectopic pregnancy. Its most common location is tubal, but it can also be in another anatomical area:

• cervical;
• ovarian;
• interstitial;
• isthmic;
• abdominal, etc.

If an ectopic pregnancy is suspected, hospitalization is indicated, since if the tube ruptures, bleeding will begin and the situation will become dangerous.

Sometimes a woman describes the discharge as a liquid with an unpleasant fishy odor. We are talking about bacterial vaginosis or vaginal dysbiosis. This disease is not considered infectious-inflammatory, but often requires antibiotic therapy. With this pathology, gardnerella bacteria multiply excessively, which look like pale cocci under a microscope.

These microorganisms displace lactobacilli from the vagina. At the same time, the environment becomes highly alkalized, creating the preconditions for infection to attach. In addition, a strong pH shift can be subjectively unpleasant and manifest as itching. The basis of therapy is the suppression of pathological microflora and encouragement of normal microflora to reproduce. It is also necessary to treat intestinal dysbiosis and strengthen the immune system.

If “strange” orange discharge appears, then this is a sign of an acute inflammatory disease of the genital organs, accompanied by the production of an excess number of leukocytes. The appearance of yellow-orange discharge indicates gonorrhea and trichomoniasis.

Trichomoniasis ranks first in prevalence among sexually transmitted diseases. Trichomonas vaginalis belongs to the protozoa of the class Flagellates. Among women who are sexually active, the incidence reaches 60-70%. Trichomoniasis is often combined with gonorrhea.

With trichomoniasis, a woman complains of itching and burning in the vagina, external genitalia, perineum, and yellow-green discharge of a foamy consistency with an unpleasant odor. On examination, redness, maceration of the external genitalia, and purulent discharge from the vagina are noted.

Collecting an anamnesis of the disease allows you to trace the cause-and-effect relationship with sexual contact, often with a new partner. Trichomonas lives in the male urethral canal and therefore two partners should be treated at once. During treatment, strict abstinence from sex and alcohol is indicated. They are treated with antiprotozoal drugs, which include: “Metronidazole”, “Fazizhin”, “Naksogin”, “Atrican”, “Tiberal”, etc.

The second most common cause of orange discharge is gonorrhea, an inflammatory disease caused by gonococcus. It can affect both the lower parts of the urogenital tract, causing gonorrheal urethritis, endocervicitis, bartholinitis, vulvovaginitis; Likewise, the upper parts of the genital organs cause endometritis, salpingitis, and pelvioperitonitis.

With gonorrhea, there is often such a phenomenon as a healed infection: this means that the pathogen is present in the body, but in a suppressed state after antibiotic therapy (incorrectly selected and administered). Sometimes, to diagnose gonorrhea, it is necessary to carry out a provocation. When consuming spicy, salty foods, an aggravation occurs, and gonococci are detected in a vaginal smear under microscopy.

Gonorrhea is treated with broad-spectrum antibiotics: cephalosporins, aminoglycosides, penicillins, macrolides, quinolones with metronidazole.

Therapy is supplemented with Pyrogenal and Prodigiosan. For healed gonorrhea, the urethra and vaginal mucosa are washed with a solution of potassium permanganate and then treated with Protargol. For endocervicitis, the cervical canal is also treated with Protargol. Gonorrhea is considered cured after smear microscopy does not reveal the pathogen after three menstrual cycles on days 2-4.

Chlamydia, which is characterized by scant symptoms and a latent course, is often combined with gonorrhea and trichomoniasis. However, this pathogen can lead to infertility, miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy. The woman does not complain of anything, but during a gynecological examination, serous-purulent discharge from the cervical canal is noted. Both sexual partners are treated with broad-spectrum antibiotics: Doxycycline, Tetracycline, etc.

Quite often, changes in vaginal secretion occur with candidiasis infections. As a rule, this disease is initiated by a decrease in immunity (especially T-cell immunity) due to stress, hypothermia, hard work, hypovitaminosis, etc. The discharge becomes milky white, thick with a cheesy consistency, and white flakes and films may be released. The smell of vaginal secretions becomes sharply sour.

A woman suffers from severe itching of the external genitalia, vagina, and perineum. Making a diagnosis is usually not difficult. Microscopy of a vaginal smear shows spores and filaments of fungal mycelium. They are treated with antifungal drugs (Flucostat, Clotrimazole, etc.). It is also necessary to strengthen the immune system, get enough sleep, take vitamins, and normalize sleep, work and rest patterns.

Every woman should clearly monitor the nature of vaginal discharge, especially in unusual situations: time zone changes, a new partner, delayed menstruation, exposure to stress factors. This will help to timely diagnose the emerging pathology, prevent possible complications, and sometimes save lives.

Vaginal discharge is divided into physiological, normal for a certain age and stage of the menstrual cycle, and pathological, associated with genital disease. It is impossible to make an accurate diagnosis and prescribe a course of treatment based on a single symptom, but the appearance of a discharge different from the norm gives reason to contact a gynecologist and undergo an examination.

Normal discharge consists of a mixture of mucus, dead epithelium and microbial cells, the secretion of the Bartholin glands located in the vestibule of the vagina. They contain glycogen, a nutrient for beneficial microflora, and lactic acid, a waste product of lactobacilli. Glycogen levels are highest on the day of ovulation. Normally, there is clear or whitish discharge, the consistency is mucous, with small lumps or homogeneous, without an unpleasant odor, in a volume of up to 4-5 ml per day.

Copious vaginal discharge or scanty, but atypical in character or smell, is called leucorrhoea. Leucorrhoea creates a constant feeling of wetness, burning and itching in the perineal area. The causes of heavy discharge are inflammatory processes (colpitis, adnexitis); infectious diseases of the urogenital organs, nonspecific or STDs; tumors or injuries of the internal genitalia; allergic reactions to latex, spermicidal lubricants, underwear and hygiene products for intimate areas.

By origin, vaginal discharge is distinguished, uterine and tubal (watery, large in volume) and cervical (thick, scanty).

Leucorrhoea with pus is a symptom of inflammation; bloody ones are often associated with the development of a tumor; curdled or white flakes are characteristic of thrush; orange and greenish with a putrid odor - for gardnerellosis (bacterial vaginosis); foaming ones appear with trichomoniasis.

Leucorrhoea may appear after long courses of contraceptives, after douching with antiseptics; for constipation and a static lifestyle, leading to stagnation of venous blood in the pelvis. Prolapse of the vaginal walls, microtrauma of the genitals after sexual intercourse, and ruptures of the perineum also cause the formation of leucorrhoea.

Mucus discharge is normal

The first mucous discharge is observed in newborn girls; the appearance of secretion is associated with residual amounts of maternal hormones. After 3-4 weeks, the discharge disappears and appears again by the age of 8-11 years, when the production of one’s own estrogens increases. Mucus is secreted periodically, similar to raw egg white or rice water, sour in smell, color - white with a yellowish tint.

Further, during puberty, cyclic vaginal discharge appears. The beginning of the cycle is considered the first day of menstruation; in the 1st half of the cycle and until its middle, which coincides with ovulation, there is less discharge. They are mucous or watery, homogeneous, possibly with small lumps. In the middle of the cycle - mucous and abundant, viscous in consistency, possibly beige or brownish in color.

After ovulation, the discharge is jelly-like, similar to jelly. The content of lactic acid, which is produced by lactobacilli, increases in them, and the discharge acquires a sour odor. Increased acidity protects the vaginal mucosa, which during this time period is more loose and vulnerable to infection. Before menstruation, the volume of mucous discharge increases again.

Discharge during pregnancy is thin and profuse, whitish or transparent. Before childbirth, the cervix dilates, and the cervical plug comes out in the form of a rather large clot of mucus, possibly mixed with scarlet blood. Usually the release of the plug coincides with the first contractions. If there is more vaginal secretion than usual, then you should go to the gynecologist: perhaps amniotic fluid is “leaking.”

The presence of liquid blood or bloody clots in the discharge suggests an ectopic pregnancy, a threat of miscarriage, an atypical position (presentation) or placental abruption. All options are dangerous; at any moment they can be complicated by bleeding and result in death. A pregnant woman who notices the appearance of scarlet blood from the vagina should immediately lie down, then immediately call an ambulance.

White discharge

During puberty, vaginal discharge may be a consequence of inflammation intestines, bladder, uterus or ovaries. These episodes include pain associated with urination, intestinal colic, or pulling sensations in the lower abdomen and lumbar region. The temperature may rise, a blood test will show signs of inflammation (leukocytosis, increased ESR): then treatment for inflammation will be needed.

10-12 months before the onset of the first menstruation, the vaginal mucosa reacts to hormonal changes and liquid, transparent or white discharge is formed, the color of highly diluted milk, odorless or sour. No measures need to be taken if there are no complaints of burning or itching in the perineum, and the discharge does not take on a cheesy appearance.

After the onset of sexual activity, the consistency and composition of the discharge changes, the reason is the addition of the partner’s microflora, which differs in composition from the vaginal flora. It takes time to adapt, different in each case, and the situation will return to normal again. During the adaptation period, the volume of secretion increases, the discharge becomes more liquid, with a pale yellowish or whitish tint. A change in sexual partner is almost always associated with a change in the nature of vaginal discharge.

After unprotected sexual intercourse, the discharge normally first takes the form of yellowish or white clots, and after 5-8 hours the secretion turns into liquid and abundant. After protected intercourse, white and thick discharge appears, resembling lubricant.

Taking contraceptives or breastfeeding reduces normal secretion: vaginal discharge is scanty and thick, white or yellowish in color.

Thrush (candidiasis) produces a white, curd-like discharge, abundant, sour in smell. Sometimes the discharge resembles yellowish curd lumps or white flakes. The disease is accompanied by itching and swelling of the genitals, irritation of the skin of the perineum. The development of candidiasis is a sign of decreased immunity.

curdled white coating in the vagina due to thrush

Thrush is often combined with STDs(genital herpes, ureaplasmosis, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis) and HIV infection, manifests itself in metabolic diseases (diabetes mellitus) and tumors. Candidiasis definitely requires treatment.

Video: vaginal discharge - norm and pathology

Yellow and green discharge

“Colored” vaginal discharge occurs with STDs, bacterial vaginosis (gardnerellosis), and nonspecific genital inflammation.

With STDs, leucorrhoea is always accompanied by itching, pain and burning associated with urination.

Chlamydia: when examining the vagina, yellow discharge is visible emerging from the cervical canal and flowing down the walls of the vagina. Leucorrhoea is accompanied by pain in the lower back and lower abdomen, and enlargement of the Bartholin glands. The diagnosis is confirmed by PCR analysis.

Trichomoniasis: leucorrhoea profuse, foamy, greenish or yellowish, with a pungent putrefactive odor. They can flow onto the perineum, inner thighs and cause skin irritation.

Gonorrhea: The volume of discharge is moderate, the color is yellowish-white. May be accompanied by bleeding that does not correspond to the cycle, pain of the “lowered belt” type - lower back, lower abdomen, inner thighs. With gonorrhea, a putrid smell of leucorrhoea is often encountered; a change in their color from grayish-white to yellow indicates the transition of the acute stage of the disease to the chronic stage.

Bacterial vaginosis: Leucorrhoea profuse, grayish-white, with the smell of rotting fish. Sticky, yellow-green and even orange discharge is typical for an untreated, long-term disease. The itching is not severe, it occurs periodically. All symptoms worsen immediately after sexual intercourse.

Nonspecific vaginitis(colpitis): with this disease, leucorrhoea is the main symptom. The type of vaginal discharge varies depending on the severity of the process. When the vagina is inflamed, the secretion becomes acidic in reaction, viscous and stretchy in consistency, or abundant and liquid, and loses transparency. A cloudy white tint is given by leukocytes, a yellowish-green color is due to the presence of pus, and a yellowish-pink color is due to blood. At the initial stages of inflammation, serous leucorrhoea is liquid, watery; then they transform into purulent ones - thick, green, with a strong putrefactive odor.

Salpingitis and adnexitis: inflammation of the fallopian tubes and ovaries. They may manifest themselves as specific complications caused by an ascending venereal infection with an STD, or “ordinary” inflammation of the internal genitalia. Discharge is always accompanied by abdominal pain; in the acute period - periodic, cramping and strong, in the chronic stage - medium and low intensity, constant, dull, pulling.

Let's summarize. Causes of yellow and green leucorrhoea:

• foamy discharge is a characteristic sign of an STD;
• copious discharge is typical for the acute stage of colpitis, adnexitis and salpingitis;
• scanty leucorrhoea - for chronic adnexitis and salpingitis.

Brown and pink discharge

Associated with the presence of blood in vaginal discharge; may appear for physiological or pathological reasons.

Physiological reasons:

1. Small brown, pink or scarlet discharge in the middle of the cycle: the laundry does not get dirty, the color is noticeable only on sanitary napkins or toilet paper. Secretion signals that ovulation has taken place, which helps plan pregnancy.
2. Pinkish and brownish discharge is the norm at the end of menstruation, when complete rejection of the endometrium has occurred and the proliferation phase (growth of new endometrium) begins.
3. Bloody discharge while taking hormonal medications. If they continue for more than three cycles, then it is worth changing the contraceptive and being examined by a gynecologist.
4. Discharge of cervical mucus mixed with bright blood - in pregnant women before childbirth.

Pathological causes

Pathological causes may be: sexually transmitted diseases (gonorrhea), endometritis, uterine tumors, endometrial hyperplasia, polyposis, cervical erosion, endometriosis.

For gonorrhea the infection rises from the vagina upward, affecting the uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries. The appearance of blood in the form of streaks among mucopurulent discharge and intermenstrual bleeding are signs of an ascending gonococcal infection. A confirmed diagnosis is made after PCR, which must be positive for gonorrhea, or after examining a smear and detecting gonococci in it.

Endometritis – inflammation of the functional uterine layer, which is updated after each menstrual cycle. Brown leucorrhoea associated with endometritis appears before and after menstruation; it is also possible to discharge brownish mucus in the middle of the cycle. Almost always, inflammation of the endometrium is combined with its hyperplasia (proliferation) and menstrual bleeding, often the cycle is shortened. Heavy bleeding leads to anemia, the hemoglobin content drops to 50-70 g/l (the norm for women is 120-140 g/l). The woman feels constant fatigue, shortness of breath and dizziness appear even with minor physical effort.

Endometrial hyperplasia is considered a precancerous condition.

To return the endometrium to normal, you must first cure the inflammation. The course of antibiotics lasts at least 3 months, drugs are prescribed for 3 menstrual cycles.

Endometriosis – overgrowth of glandular tissue (endometrium) in the cervix and muscular layer of the uterus (myometrium), fallopian tubes, ovaries, and abdominal organs. Endometrial cells end up in unusual places during abortion, during instrumental examinations of the uterus, during childbirth and during the return of menstrual mass. Endometriosis spreads, leading to numerous local inflammations and the formation of adhesions; a common complication is infertility.

Typical are nagging pains during menstruation, bloody discharge from all foci of endometrial growth. During colposcopy, small multiple nodules or cysts, bluish or red stripes are visible on the cervix. Bloody brown leucorrhoea becomes lighter after menstruation, its volume decreases during this period and increases again before the next menstruation. Endometriosis of the abdominal organs is a common cause of internal bleeding and subsequent surgery (laparotomy).

Cervical erosion: violation of the integrity of the mucous membrane; during examination, acetic acid, 3-5% solution, is used to determine the boundaries of erosion. After smearing the surface with acid, erosion is visible as a whitish spot on a pink background. When erosion occurs, small bloody discharge appears, and its amount increases after sexual intercourse.

Bloody discharge due to cancer

Endometrial hyperplasia accompanied by spotting brown or bloody discharge before and after menstruation. Acyclic uterine bleeding is possible: it lasts for a long time, up to several weeks or even months, and leads to anemia. The disease develops due to hormonal imbalance, problems with lipid and carbohydrate metabolism (obesity, diabetes), hypertension, after gynecological operations, with a hereditary predisposition, as a consequence of STDs - after inflammation of the uterus, with endometritis.

For treatment, combined estrogen/gestagen drugs are used, and for severe bleeding, endometrial curettage. A biopsy is required to assess the degree of cellular atypia and proliferation of glandular tissue. If cancer is suspected, the examination is repeated.

Polyps in the uterus- These are elongated growths of the endometrium; symptoms of polyposis are often brown discharge and postmenstrual bleeding. There may be discomfort during sexual intercourse, and immediately after it there may be spotting brownish discharge. The causes of the formation of polyps are considered to be an imbalance of estrogens and gestagens, inflammation of the endometrium and the cervical canal. Small polyps are discovered by chance; large ones (more than 2 cm) are manifested by pain in the form of contractions and increased menstrual blood loss. The main complication is infertility; the transition of polyposis to a malignant tumor has not been proven.

Tumors in the uterus in the later stages they manifest themselves as bleeding, in the early stages - spotting brown vaginal discharge. Uterine tumors are divided into benign (polyps, fibroids and myomas) and malignant (endometrial cancer and myosarcoma, cervical cancer). Leucorrhoea with pus and scarlet blood, possibly foul-smelling, is characteristic of the disintegration of a tumor; With cervical cancer, thick discharge appears, scanty, streaked with blood. Submucosal fibromatous nodes always produce severe bleeding, that is, they are clinically malignant. Cervical cancer quickly metastasizes, spreading to the pelvic lymph nodes, liver and lungs, and can spread to the vaginal walls.

Video: discharge in women, expert opinion

In addition to menstruation, during the menstrual cycle a healthy woman may experience other vaginal discharge associated with the maturation of the egg and its release from the follicle. Their appearance in the middle of the cycle becomes a signal of the onset of “dangerous” days, which will help avoid unwanted pregnancy. If, on the contrary, there is a desire to conceive a child, then by the nature of the discharge during ovulation one can determine how likely it is that pregnancy will occur. There are also pathological discharges associated with diseases and hormonal disorders.

• Changes in discharge during the menstrual cycle
• What does discharge in the middle of the cycle mean?
• Deviation options
• What influences the nature of discharge

What discharge is considered normal What discharge indicates pathology

• Examples of pathological discharge

Changes in discharge during the menstrual cycle

The menstrual cycle consists of several sequential processes:

1. The formation and maturation of eggs surrounded by protective capsules (follicles).
2. Ovulation is the rupture of the dominant follicle and the release of the egg into the fallopian tube.
3. The movement of the egg through the tube (within 1-2 days), when fertilization is possible.
4. Fixation of the embryo in the uterus, if fertilization has occurred, or death of the egg.
5. Rejection of the endometrium (menstruation) if pregnancy does not occur.

All these processes and the associated secretions during ovulation are regulated by hormones. Before ovulation, the main role is played by estrogens, and after it - progesterone, produced by the corpus luteum, which is formed in the ovary. There is a connection between vaginal discharge and the process of ovulation.

Dry period. Immediately after menstruation, a woman begins the so-called “sterile” (“dry”) period, when there is no discharge. The cervical canal of the cervix is ​​closed with a plug of thick mucus, which provides protection against infection entering the uterus.

Ovulation is approaching. As the eggs mature, the plug gradually liquefies and some of the mucus comes out. In this case, the woman experiences thick white sticky discharge.

Fertile period. At this time, the cervical mucus thins enough to allow sperm to enter the uterus. This happens 3 days before ovulation. At the moment when the egg leaves the protective capsule (follicle), it can be fertilized within 1-2 days. Before ovulation, the discharge changes in composition. At the same time, an alkaline environment is created in the uterus, which promotes the preservation of sperm.

During ovulation. Directly during ovulation, the discharge has a consistency similar to egg white.

Addition: If they are scanty during ovulation, then the likelihood of sperm entering the uterus is low. Thick mucus limits sperm motility. In order for fertilization to occur, the discharge must be watery and viscous.

If the cell is fertilized, then within 5-7 days after ovulation it is implanted in the endometrium. These days, spotting light brown discharge may appear. Such discharge may be a sign of pregnancy. In some cases they are very scarce or completely absent.

If fertilization does not occur, then 1-2 days after ovulation the egg dies. The mucus thickens, again forming a plug inside the cervical canal.

On the eve of menstruation, the discharge becomes liquid, as uterine mucus is added to it.

During menstruation, endometrial rejection is associated with damage to the blood vessels that penetrate it, which causes bleeding.

Video: On what days does pregnancy occur. Methods for determining ovulation

What does discharge in the middle of the cycle mean?

Such discharge can serve as a warning about the onset of “dangerous days” when an unwanted pregnancy occurs. From them you can find out about the onset of the fertile period, during which a woman has a chance to become pregnant.

The nature of the discharge during ovulation allows us to understand how possible fertilization is. Unusual color, smell, or consistency of discharge indicate pathology.

Deviation options

The absence of leucorrhoea in the middle of the cycle indicates that ovulation is not occurring. This condition occurs within 3 months after an abortion, within 1 year after childbirth, and also during premenopause. Sometimes completely healthy young women have normal cycles alternating with anovulatory ones. If the absence of ovulation is observed systematically, this is considered a pathology. The cause may be hormonal imbalances or improper metabolism.

If brown spotting does not disappear after ovulation, and menstruation occurs with a delay of up to 40 days or more, this is often the result of insufficient progesterone production. In this case, the fertilized egg cannot implant in the endometrium, since it does not mature to the required condition, and the pregnancy is terminated. The cause of insufficiency may be the use of hormonal contraceptives, certain medications, uterine curettage, menopause.

What influences the nature of discharge

Discharge during ovulation changes in appearance. Reasons for changes may be:

• infections of the internal and external genitalia;
• tumors of the uterus and appendages (fibroids, cysts, polyps);
• taking medications and hormonal contraceptives;
• thyroid diseases;
• cervical surgery;
• douching;
• lactation;
• the onset of menopause.

What discharge is considered normal?

Pinkish or yellowish discharge during ovulation (without blood) occurs due to rupture of the follicle. Spotting brown discharge about a week after ovulation is a sign of fixation of a fertilized egg in the uterus. Light yellow discharge without odor, itching, or burning is caused by an increased concentration of progesterone.

What discharge indicates pathology?

You should see a doctor if your ovulation discharge shows unusual signs. An unpleasant odor indicates the presence of diseases (such as trichomoniasis, chlamydia, gonorrhea) associated with a sexually transmitted infection, or inflammatory processes caused by opportunistic microbes (staphylococci, fungi). Such discharge appears during ovulation with cervicitis, endometritis, salpingoophoritis.

Video: Signs of pathological discharge in women

Examples of pathological discharge

Green or yellow purulent thick discharge appears with purulent cervicitis.

White, curd-like discharge after ovulation is a sign of thrush (candidiasis). They cause burning and itching due to the formation of cracks in the vagina. They have a sour smell.

Yellow or green copious foamy discharge during ovulation (with an unpleasant odor, painful sensations in the lower abdomen) occurs due to infectious diseases caused by pathogens of latent sexually transmitted infections (trichomoniasis, chlamydia). Due to inflammation, adhesions are formed. The tubes become obstructed, the egg cannot penetrate the uterus, and pregnancy is impossible. If the disease is not treated, infertility occurs. The result of inflammation can be an ectopic pregnancy.

Dark brown discharge. The reason for their formation is the use of an intrauterine device. But they can also be a sign of cervical erosion and even malignant tumors of the uterus or ovaries.

Grayish-white, light discharge during ovulation, which has the smell of rotten fish, is a sign of bacterial vaginosis (gardnerellosis), or vaginal dysbiosis. With this disease, the composition of its microflora is disrupted due to infection with Gardnerella and other opportunistic microbes.

According to research, vaginal discharge is as physiological as the production of saliva, sweat or tears. They perform certain functions in the body and are found in absolutely healthy women. Heavy vaginal discharge is completely normal and contains cervical mucus, epithelial cells, and 5 to 12 types of microorganisms (normal).

Normal vaginal discharge is acidic, which is possible due to the presence of lactobacilli. But under certain conditions, the nature and composition of the discharge may change. In this case, we can talk about pathological discharge, indicating diseases of the genitourinary system.

Discharge after menstruation

Vaginal discharge after menstruation can be physiological and pathological. Normally, postmenstrual discharge is dark brown in color. This is due to increased blood clotting at the end of menstruation and its slow release. Physiological secretions are odorless.

An unpleasant odor accompanying vaginal discharge before and after menstruation indicates the possible presence of chlamydia, ureaplasma, mycoplasma or genital herpes.

If discharge does not appear immediately after menstruation, but after a few days, then an uterine or ectopic pregnancy can be suspected. In this case, the woman needs to contact a gynecologist.

Normal discharge

Normal vaginal discharge comes in many varieties. This variety will depend on the woman’s age, sexual activity and hormonal status.

It is possible to determine which vaginal discharge is normal and which is pathological thanks to some general criteria:

• slightly sour smell or its complete absence;
• homogeneous thick consistency (liquid sour cream), lumps up to 3 mm are acceptable;
• transparent or with a white tint;
• the total amount of discharge does not exceed 1 to 4 ml per day.

Physiological discharge is never accompanied by itching in the vagina. However, when changing sexual partners, the amount of vaginal discharge may increase.

Types of vaginal discharge

There are many types of vaginal discharge, which can have both physiological and pathological origins. If the discharge has an unpleasant odor, purulent consistency, or is accompanied by a burning sensation, pain or other symptoms of discomfort, you should immediately consult a doctor.

We answered in more detail below the question about what types of vaginal discharge there are.

Watery discharge

Watery vaginal discharge may indicate inflammation of the fallopian tubes or cervical erosion. This is due to the fact that when the fallopian tube is inflamed, the secretion of cells through the uterine cavity enters the vagina.

Normally, liquid vaginal discharge may occur in pregnant women. The appearance of vaginal discharge like water is not an independent sign of the disease, but signals the presence of a pathological process in the body.

Purulent discharge

Purulent vaginal discharge may indicate inflammatory diseases, such as bacterial vaginitis, salpingitis, cervicitis, as well as some sexually transmitted diseases (trichomoniasis).

The discharge becomes liquid or foamy, has an unpleasant odor and is yellow-green in color. They are often abundant.

Transparent selections

Transparent vaginal discharge accompanies the normal functioning of the genital organs. They are an indicator of cyclical changes in the body associated with the normal functioning of the ovaries.

Transparent mucous discharge from the vagina is a physiological fluid, which contains epithelial cells, lymph, mucus and microorganisms. Copious transparent vaginal discharge can become pathological only in girls under 10 years of age.

Mucus discharge

Mucous discharge from the vagina is normal in most cases; it is due to the nature of the uterine secretion. If vaginal discharge looks like snot, is accompanied by an unpleasant odor and is streaked with blood, then this may indicate cysts and erosions present in the body.

In addition, jelly-like vaginal discharge may indicate the presence of inflammatory diseases of the uterus and ovaries. Mucus discharge from the vagina mixed with blood can also occur during an ectopic pregnancy.

Bloody discharge

As a rule, small amounts of blood discharge from the vagina occur before and after menstruation. Also, spotting from the vagina may appear in women taking oral contraceptives in the first 2 months from the start of use.

If vaginal discharge with blood is not associated with the physiological cycle, it may be a manifestation of cervical cancer pathologies, endometriosis or advanced erosion. In this case, it is best to consult a gynecologist to find out the nature of such discharge.

White discharge

White vaginal discharge with a cheesy consistency almost always indicates candidiasis. At the beginning of the disease, the discharge of leucorrhoea from the vagina is small, but if left untreated, it can become profuse. Often, white, thick vaginal discharge is accompanied by a sharp sour odor, itching and pain when urinating.

Upon examination, the mucous membrane of the external genital organs is covered with a curdled or milky coating, which is easily removed.

Brown discharge

Brown vaginal discharge normally occurs at the end of the menstrual cycle and at the beginning of sexual activity. Pathological brown vaginal discharge occurs with thrush, chlamydia, trichomoniasis or inflammation of the vagina.

Brownish vaginal discharge is also observed when the menstrual cycle is disrupted.

Yellow discharge

If yellow vaginal discharge has a faint yellow tint and is not accompanied by discomfort, then this is normal.

If the vaginal discharge is yellow in color and has a rich hue and is accompanied by itching, pain or an unpleasant odor, then we can say that this is observed with inflammation of the uterine appendages and sexually transmitted infections. In addition, yellowish vaginal discharge is also observed with cervical erosions.

Black discharge

Most often, black discharge from the vagina can occur during inflammatory diseases or when using hormonal contraceptives.

Pink discharge

Normally, pink vaginal discharge may appear during ovulation. If pink discharge from the vagina is accompanied by discomfort in the lower abdomen, then doctors may suspect cervical erosion.

Faint pinkish vaginal discharge, aggravated by pain, may indicate various sexually transmitted diseases.

Dark discharge

Dark vaginal discharge normally occurs before, after and in the middle of the menstrual cycle. If the discharge is accompanied by abdominal pain or other discomfort, then cervical erosion, pelvic inflammation, or the presence of sexually transmitted diseases can be suspected.

Orange discharge

Orange vaginal discharge that appears after unprotected sex indicates infection with trichomoniasis or gonorrhea. If there is no sexual activity, such discharge may indicate bacterial vaginosis.

Gray discharge

Serous vaginal discharge is considered normal if it is not accompanied by pain in the lower abdomen, itching, or unpleasant odor. If gray vaginal discharge is accompanied by pain, then one may suspect the presence of infections such as ureaplasmosis or mycoplasmosis. Consultation with a gynecologist is necessary.

Foamy discharge

Foamy vaginal discharge can be caused by stress, nervous fatigue, or recent unprotected intercourse. Most often, foamy discharge is accompanied by trichomoniasis.

Discharge flakes

Flaky vaginal discharge is most common with vaginal candidiasis (thrush). They also have a characteristic white color and sour odor.

Brown discharge

Typically, brown vaginal discharge is considered normal only at the beginning and end of menstruation. In other cases, these are pathologies, the causes of which are determined in the laboratory.

Creamy discharge

Quite often, creamy vaginal discharge can indicate pregnancy, and if there is discomfort, it can indicate pathological diseases of the genital organs.

Colorless discharge

Most often, colorless vaginal discharge that is not accompanied by physical discomfort or odor is completely normal. If you are also concerned about discomfort in the genital area, you should consult a doctor.

Cloudy discharge

Cloudy vaginal discharge is most common with bacterial vaginosis and sexually transmitted diseases.

Sticky discharge

Sticky vaginal discharge may indicate the presence of thrush or other genitourinary infections in the body. One way or another, the situation requires medical intervention.

Light discharge

Light-colored vaginal discharge—white, transparent, or slightly tinged with pink or yellow—is normal. However, it is worth remembering that normally their number is minimal, and any discomfort, itching or burning in the vaginal or labia area indicates the presence of infections, which requires contacting a gynecologist.

Green discharge

Green vaginal discharge indicates an increased level of white blood cells. Greenish vaginal discharge, therefore, indicates bacterial inflammation of the uterus and its appendages.

Treatment of discharge

Many women practice self-treatment of vaginal discharge. But this may not only be ineffective, but also harmful in itself, since when douching with a soda solution or chamomile decoction, beneficial microorganisms are washed out of the vagina. Therefore, treatment for vaginal discharge should be prescribed and monitored by a doctor.

If pathological discharge appears, you must contact a gynecologist to diagnose the disease that caused it. After identifying the cause, the doctor will prescribe treatment for the underlying disease, as well as procedures aimed at restoring the vaginal microflora and increasing the body’s immunoresistance.

Vaginal discharge in a child

Vaginal discharge in a child can be either a physiological process or a sign of a disease.

A girl should not experience vaginal discharge before puberty; it appears about a year before the start of menstruation. The causes of pathological discharge in children may be:

• diabetes;
• inflammation of the vagina;
• worms;
• upper respiratory tract diseases;
• antibiotic therapy;
• thrush;
• allergic reactions.

Vaginal discharge in adolescents who have sexual relations may indicate sexually transmitted diseases. Often the onset of sexual activity is normally accompanied by discharge that does not cause physical discomfort.

Discharge in newborns

Physiological vaginal discharge in newborns can occur in the first week of life during a hormonal crisis. This is due to the fact that their body gets rid of the mother’s hormones and begins to form its own hormonal background. If vaginal discharge in a baby is accompanied by pain or itching, you should immediately consult a doctor to determine the cause of these symptoms.

Causes of discharge

Basically, the causes of vaginal discharge are due to one of the physiological processes in the body, unless they are accompanied by itching, pain or an unpleasant odor. If they change their character and cause discomfort to the woman, then they are already talking about pathological discharge. They can occur with bacterial inflammation of the genital organs, erosion, polyps, polycystic disease, venereal and fungal diseases.

It is possible to reliably determine the reason why vaginal discharge suddenly changed its properties only by laboratory methods.

Discharge from a cold

When you have a cold, vaginal discharge can become fungal in nature. This is due to the fact that hypothermia and viral diseases disrupt the balance of normal microflora. Most often, thrush can develop against the background of a cold. It is manifested by itching in the genital area and cheesy vaginal discharge.

If an inflammatory process in the ovaries begins during a cold, the discharge becomes abundant and may even contain streaks of blood.

Discharge during menopause

Vaginal discharge during menopause is not normal. They may indicate inflammatory diseases, tumors and neoplasms in the breast and genitals. As a rule, discharge during menopause can be in the form of exudate, which indicates inflammation, or transudate - in diseases of a non-inflammatory nature.

The exudate has a mucous consistency and contains protein. It may be catarrhal, purulent, serous, fibrinous or hemorrhagic. The consistency of the transudate is liquid and does not contain protein. It is either straw-colored or transparent with an admixture of blood and other body fluids.

Discharge during defecation

It should be noted that vaginal discharge during defecation is a pathological process. Copious discharge with an unpleasant odor is observed mainly with genital warts. Bloody discharge indicates hemorrhoids or intestinal fistulas. If the discharge becomes purulent or mucous in nature, an inflammatory process or tumor disintegration can be suspected.

Taste of discharge

The taste of vaginal discharge largely depends on the nationality, the nature of the food consumed and the presence of certain diseases of the genitourinary system. In general, a healthy woman's discharge tastes like sour milk.

Salty discharge

Salty vaginal discharge appears when an alkaline environment forms in the vagina. This is a pathological phenomenon that occurs during bacterial infections and inflammations that require medical intervention.

Acid discharge

Acidic vaginal discharge is normal. If the sour taste becomes pronounced, this may indicate a fungal infection of the vaginal mucosa - thrush (candidiasis). In this case, you need to see a gynecologist and probably undergo a course of treatment.