Most women bother about the condition of vaginal discharge however hesitate to talk it with the doctor. It is normal to have clear to whitish discharge. Actually, it is the way through which a woman’s body gets free of dead cells and bacteria in the vagina and maintains it clean.
The amount of vaginal discharge during the menstrual cycle varies based on the phase of your menstrual cycle. If the vaginal discharge is of unusual color or odor, it is advisable to consult your doctor. Burning and itching sensation around the vaginal region or any kind of blood-stained discharge could be a sign of a disease or infection in the reproductive organs.
The color and consistency of your vaginal discharge may vary from whitish and sticky to clear and watery between the menstrual cycle. Also, most women experience vaginal discharge during their pregnancy period.
What causes vaginal discharge during menstrual cycle?
If you experience abnormal vaginal discharge during the menstrual cycle, it can be a sign of bacterial vaginosis, yeast infection or menopausal symptom. These can be highly uncomfortable in your regular lifestyle. Sometimes, sexually transmitted diseases can also cause abnormal vaginal discharge. In rare instances, these can spread to your uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries. Cervical cancer can also produce blood tinged or brownish vaginal discharge.
How to diagnose abnormal vaginal discharge?
To identify the abnormal vaginal discharge, your doctor will perform a pelvic exam to manually observe your reproductive organs. A pelvic exam is usually suggested as a part of your regular checkup or if you notice any unusual discharge or pain in your pelvic region. During the procedure, your doctor observes your vagina, cervix, vulva, uterus, pelvis, and rectum, along with the ovaries for abnormal growths or other abnormalities. Pap test is also performed to check the existence of cervical cancer.
There are various conditions that can cause abnormal vaginal discharge, such as:
Cervicitis:
It is an inflammation of the cervix. Sometimes cervicitis doesn’t cause any signs and symptoms. Most common signs and symptoms that you may notice include changes in your vaginal discharge and bleeding between your menstrual periods. This condition can result from sexually transmitted diseases or from some noninfectious causes.
Vaginitis:
It is an inflammation of the vagina. The symptoms of vaginitis include abnormal vaginal discharge, intense itchiness, and vaginal irritation. This infection affects your vagina or the tissues at the opening of the vulva.
