Reason of discharge

Vaginal Discharge: Causes, Treatments, and Colors

A fluid that helps keep the vagina clean and infection-free, vaginal discharge is completely natural. But its color, texture, and amount can differ, depending on your age and where you are in your menstrual cycle.

Some changes, however, can be a sign of an underlying health condition. These can include significant color or odor changes as well as a difference in consistency.

From types and causes to when it’s best to seek medical attention, here’s the lowdown on vaginal discharge.

Several types of vaginal discharge exist — often categorized by color and consistency.

White

White-colored discharge is common, especially at the beginning or end of your menstrual cycle. Typically, this discharge will be thick and sticky, too, with no strong odor.

Clear and watery

Around ovulation, discharge often becomes clearer and wetter. You may also notice more discharge like this when you’re sexually aroused or pregnant.

Clear and stretchy

When discharge is clear but stretchy and mucous-like, rather than watery, it indicates that you are likely ovulating.

Brown or bloody

Brown or bloody discharge can occur during or right after your menstrual cycle. You may also experience a small amount of bloody discharge between periods. This is called spotting.

Spotting that occurs during the usual time of your period and after recent sex without a barrier or other protection may be a sign of pregnancy. And spotting during early pregnancy can be a sign of miscarriage.

Yellow or green

Yellow-ish discharge may not indicate a health condition as it can naturally turn this color when exposed to air.

But darker yellow or green discharge — especially when it’s thick, chunky, or accompanied by an unpleasant smell — is a sign to see a healthcare professional.

Vaginal discharge is a healthy bodily function resulting from natural changes in estrogen levels. The amount of discharge can increase from the likes of ovulation, sexual arousal, birth control pills, and pregnancy.

The color, smell, and texture of vaginal discharge can be adversely affected by changes to the vagina’s bacterial balance. That’s because when the number of harmful bacteria increases, vaginal infections are more likely.

Here are some of the possible infections to be aware of.

Bacterial vaginosis

Bacterial vaginosis is a common bacterial infection. It causes increased vaginal discharge that has a strong, foul, and sometimes fishy odor. Discharge may also look gray, thin, and watery. In some cases, the infection produces no symptoms.

Although bacterial vaginosis isn’t transmitted via sexual contact, you have a higher risk of developing it if you’re sexually active or have recently gotten a new sexual partner. The infection can also put you at a higher risk of contracting a sexually transmitted infection (STI).

Trichomoniasis

Trichomoniasis is another type of infection caused by a parasite. It’s usually spread by sexual contact, but can also be contracted by sharing towels or bathing suits.

Up to half of the people affected have no symptoms. Those who do will often notice a yellow, green, or frothy discharge with an unpleasant odor. Pain, inflammation, and itching around the vagina as well as when urinating or having sex are also common signs.

Yeast infection

A yeast infection occurs when yeast growth increases in the vagina. It produces a thick and white discharge that looks similar to cottage cheese. This discharge doesn’t usually smell.

Other symptoms include burning, itching, and other irritation around the vagina along with soreness during sex or when urinating.

The following can increase your likelihood of yeast infections:

• stress
• diabetes
• use of birth control pills
• pregnancy
• antibiotics, especially prolonged use over 10 days

Gonorrhea and chlamydia

Gonorrhea and chlamydia are STIs that can produce an abnormal discharge due to infecting the cervix. It’s often yellow, greenish, or cloudy in color.

You may also experience:

• pain when urinating
• stomach pain
• bleeding after penetrative vaginal sex
• bleeding between periods

But some people may have zero symptoms.

Genital herpes

This STI can lead to thick vaginal discharge with a strong smell, particularly after sex. Sores and blisters can appear around the genitals along with bleeding between periods and a burning sensation when urinating.

However, it’s more common to have no or mild symptoms. If symptoms do occur, you may experience repeated outbreaks throughout your life.

Pelvic inflammatory disease

Heavy, foul-smelling discharge and pain in the stomach, after sex, or while menstruating or urinating may be signs of pelvic inflammatory disease.

This occurs when bacteria move into the vagina and up to other reproductive organs and can be caused by STIs that are left untreated like chlamydia or gonorrhea.

Human papillomavirus or cervical cancer

The human papillomavirus infection is spread by sexual contact and can lead to cervical cancer. While there may be no symptoms, this type of cancer can result in:

• bloody, brown, or watery discharge with an unpleasant odor
• unusual bleeding occurring between periods or after sex
• pain while urinating or an increased urge to urinate

In rare cases, brown or bloody discharge can also be a sign of endometrial cancer, fibroids, or other growths.

If you’re ever worried about your vaginal discharge, talk with a clinician as soon as possible. This is particularly true if your discharge changes color, smell, or consistency or if you’re noticing more of it than usual.

Other symptoms to watch out for include:

• irritation around the vagina
• bleeding between periods, after penetrative vaginal sex, or after menopause
• pain when urinating
• fever
• pain in the abdomen or during penetrative vaginal sex
• unexplained weight loss
• fatigue
• increased urination

If you don’t already have a obgyn, you can browse doctors in your area through the Healthline FindCare tool.

When you see a healthcare professional, they’ll likely perform a physical exam, including a pelvic exam. The clinician will also ask several questions about your symptoms, menstrual cycle, and general lifestyle. In many cases, an infection can be detected by a physical or pelvic exam.

If a healthcare professional is unable to diagnose the problem immediately, they may swab your vagina to get a sample of the discharge and examine it under a microscope or send it to a lab for further testing. They may also want to take a scraping from your cervix to check for human papillomavirus or cervical cancer.

Once the clinician knows the cause of the discharge, you’ll be given treatment options. These can range from a short course of antibiotics to surgery in rare cases.

As vaginal discharge is natural, it’s not possible to prevent it. But you can take measures to reduce the chance of infections.

Gently wash around your vagina with water, avoiding scented products and douches that may cause irritation. Drying the area thoroughly and wearing breathable cotton underwear can also help.

Additionally, consider using a condom or other barrier method during sexual activity and thoroughly clean sex toys to reduce your risk of STIs. And if you have a period, try to change the likes of tampons and pads frequently.

Keeping an eye on your vaginal discharge can help you track what’s typical for your body and notice changes as quickly as possible.

Anything out of the ordinary is a sign to talk with a healthcare professional. Remember that the quicker most infections are diagnosed and treated, the less chance there is of long-term complications.

Lauren Sharkey is a U.K.-based journalist and author specializing in women’s issues. When she isn’t trying to discover a way to banish migraines, she can be found uncovering the answers to your lurking health questions. She has also written a book profiling young female activists across the globe and is currently building a community of such resisters. Catch her on Twitter.

Vaginal Discharge Color Guide: What Is Normal?

Vaginal discharge is the fluid that naturally comes from your vagina. You usually don’t need to worry about discharge, but it’s best to check in with a doctor if it turns gray or green, or you have bloody discharge that happens outside your menstrual period.

Let’s be real: Many of us have experienced that moment when you pulled down your pants in the bathroom, saw a different color than usual, and asked, “Is that normal?”

This is often followed by questions like, “Is it the time of the month?”, “What did I eat this week?”, and even “How was the sex last night?”

Many of these colors are common and not a reflection of illness. But even if you know you’re in the clear, what do these colors actually mean?

Well, wonder no longer. We put together a color guide that’s not only medically accurate, but also fun to look at. And even though there’s usually nothing to worry about, there’s also information on consulting a professional if you’re concerned.

Here’s your Pantone guide to vaginal discharge.

Vaginal discharge is the medical term for fluid that comes from the vagina, and it’s an amazing thing.

It’s how your body gets rid of dead vaginal skin cells, bacteria, and secretions from your cervix and vagina to help protect your vaginal and urinary tracts from infection. It also keeps your vaginal tissues lubricated and clean.

Your hormones impact the amount and consistency of vaginal discharge, which is why you may have different amounts at certain times, like before menstruation, during pregnancy, or while using hormonal birth control.

Red or brown bloody discharge is common during menstruation. Colors might range from cherry red at the beginning of your period to rusty brown. But if you do see red throughout the month, it could be a sign of an underlying health condition, like an infection.

Reasons for red or brown discharge

Irregular menstrual cycle or spotting: Some people simply have irregular periods and spotting. Others experience spotting due to their birth control method or hormonal changes.

A variety of white shades of discharge, from eggshell to cream, can be common. Unless your discharge is accompanied by certain textures or smells, don’t fret too much.

Reasons for white discharge

Vaginal lubrication: White discharge can occur for many of the same reasons as clear discharge. It’s simply natural lubrication, keeping your vaginal tissue healthy and minimizing friction during sex.

Very light yellow discharge is more common than you might think. Sometimes the color is daffodil yellow. Other times it’s more of a greener chartreuse.

Reasons for yellow-green discharge

Diet or supplement use: This color is usually a sign of an infection, but if you know you’re probably in the clear (as in it’s a one-off occurrence), what you eat could affect the color. Some people report this color change occurring whenever they take new vitamins or try certain foods.

Pink discharge, ranging from a very light blush to the deep pink of a sunset, is often just a sign of the beginning of your cycle. But at other times, it can be a sign of a serious health problem.

Reasons for pink discharge

Sexual intercourse: Some people with vaginas may periodically experience light bleeding after penetration with fingers, a sex toy, or a penis, which can result in pink discharge.

Clear discharge, which can also be whitish, is usually OK. It may have an egg-white like consistency. It’s also the go-to discharge a healthy body expels to rebalance itself — because the vagina is a self-cleaning organ.

Reasons for clear discharge

Ovulation: Is it about day 14 of your cycle? You’re probably ovulating and producing cervical mucus.

Vaginal discharge during pregnancy: Pregnancy can also cause a change in hormones and increase how much discharge you have.

Sexual arousal: During arousal, blood vessels in that vagina dilate and fluid passes through them, causing an increase in clear, watery discharge. Totally fine.

When white turns to gray, like storm clouds or exhaust, consult a doctor or other healthcare professional (HCP). It could be a sign of bacterial vaginosis (BV), which is a common overgrowth of bacteria in people with vaginas.

Your clinician will likely prescribe antibacterial ointments or oral antibiotics.

If you’re worried about your discharge color, amount, or other symptoms, your body is pretty good at letting you know. It’ll send some pretty specific cues, like itching, pain, and burning during urination, to tell you to get a downstairs checkup.

Consult a HCP if you’re concerned about potential STI exposure or if your discharge is accompanied by these symptoms or signs:

• itching
• pain
• burning sensation during urination
• strong, foul odor
• frothy texture
• thick, cottage cheese texture
• gray color
• bleeding that’s unrelated to menstruation

What underlying conditions can affect vaginal discharge?

Sometimes these conditions can be eliminated based on your individual circumstances. Gonorrhea and chlamydia, for example, can generally be eliminated if you’ve never engaged in partnered sexual contact.

Although the chart below is a starting point, it’s always a good idea to consult a HCP if you’re unable to pinpoint a cause, or if you’re unsure of your health status.

Why does vaginal discharge smell?

Yup, healthy vaginal discharge has a smell. The smell comes from the combination of cells and organisms in it. Tack on sweat from neighboring groin glands, too.

Just like the amount of vaginal discharge secreted is dependent on hormones, so is the smell. This is why you might notice it smells different throughout the month.

Unless the smell is overly strong or unpleasant, it’s usually NBD.

If it bothers you, washing the area with warm water and changing your underwear daily can help keep the smell to a minimum.

You might not always think of it this way, but vaginal discharge is pretty amazing. Healthy discharge helps keep the vagina clean, ward off infections, and provide lubrication. It changes with your body’s needs.

It’s also important to keep in mind that a range of shades and amounts of vaginal discharge is considered typical and varies from person to person.

But your vaginal discharge is also a reflection of your overall health. If discharge occurs unexpectedly or changes significantly in color, consistency, amount, or smell, consult a HCP.

Likewise, if your discharge is accompanied by an itch or pelvic pain, it’s time to consult a clinician.

Read this article in Spanish.

Sarah Aswell is a freelance writer who lives in Missoula, Montana, with her husband and two daughters. Her writing has appeared in publications that include The New Yorker, McSweeney’s, National Lampoon, and Reductress. You can reach out to her on Twitter.

How to explain the reason for dismissal from the previous job at the interview - Work.ua

Let's analyze the best and worst answers to the recruiter's question: "Why did you leave your previous job?"

If you have made a decision to quit, then prepare for the fact that at interviews you will be asked about the reasons for such an act. Work.ua invites you to familiarize yourself with the possible answers to such a question and their interpretation from the point of view of recruiting. And the choice of how to answer is yours.

Best Answers

If you have not changed jobs for a long time (more than two years), the following answers are good reasons for leaving your previous job . List the results that you have achieved during the period of work in the company, and note the moment when you realized that you do not have any prospects for career growth and development.