Gray vaginal discharge is the appearance of gray discharge, often with an unpleasant odor, from the female genital tract. Such whites are combined with itching in the perineum, soreness during urination and during intercourse. The symptom is characteristic of bacterial vaginosis, other inflammatory and infectious pathologies of the genital organs. To find out the causes of gray discharge, an examination in the mirrors, instrumental imaging methods, and bacteriological analysis are prescribed. To eliminate the symptom, therapy of the underlying disease and normalization of the vaginal microflora is necessary.
For the disease, complaints of liquid dirty gray discharge are typical, the amount of which can reach 2 ml per day. A characteristic feature of bacterial vaginosis is the presence of discharge with a fishy smell, which occurs due to the multiplication of bacteria that produce fetid gases. An increase in the volume of leucorrhoea is provoked by sexual intercourse, stress, concomitant diseases. More often, gray discharge with an unusual smell is the only manifestation of bacterial vaginosis, some women also feel discomfort and itching in the reproductive organs.
With atrophic colpitis, which often develops in the elderly, the mucous membrane becomes thinner, the epithelium dies off, which is accompanied by the outflow of a scanty mucous secretion with an unpleasant, usually fetid odor. Gray discharge is observed periodically. After sexual intercourse or hygiene procedures using soap, streaks of blood appear in the whites. Burning pains and itching in the vagina are disturbing, the discomfort is aggravated by urination, defecation. There are other inflammatory causes of grayish discharge: vaginitis, cervicitis, the initial stage of endometritis.
In the initial period of damage to the reproductive organs, intensive reproduction of microorganisms occurs, nonspecific inflammation develops with abundant watery discharge of gray color, pronounced stench. Such a discharge can be caused by various infectious causes: ureaplasmosis, chlamydia, mycoplasmosis. Trichomoniasis is characterized by thick, dark gray leucorrhoea with a sour smell. After a few days, vaginal discharge acquires a more typical color (yellow, greenish).
A common cause that provokes gray discharge is the use of immunosuppressive drugs and cytostatics. These drugs have a negative effect on the microflora of the vagina, cause atrophy of the mucosal epithelium, and support a chronic inflammatory process. Patients note scanty gray leucorrhoea with a fetid odor, the symptom is not associated with the phases of the menstrual cycle. Grayish, foul-smelling vaginal discharge is formed after 1-2 weeks of taking antibiotics, which is due to the activation of opportunistic flora in the vagina.
A gynecologist is in charge of examining women with complaints of gray vaginal discharge. Diagnostic search involves a physical examination of the genital organs in combination with instrumental methods, as well as various specific laboratory tests to confirm the cause of the appearance of leucorrhoea with a specific unpleasant odor. The most informative methods of examination are:
To exclude hormonal prerequisites that cause gray discharge, estrogen and progesterone levels are measured, and the concentration of thyroid hormones is additionally determined. In difficult cases, hysterosalpingography, CT scan of the pelvic organs is performed. If suspicious lesions are detected in the cervix, a biopsy and cytomorphological examination are performed.
Bacteriological culture of a vaginal smear for microflora
To reduce vaginal itching and stench, it is recommended to change panty liners several times a day, make local baths with herbal decoctions (oak bark, yarrow, chamomile). Douching is undesirable because it can cause the spread of bacteria through the genital tract. The appearance of secretions with a specific odor is an indication for contacting a specialist to clarify the cause of the symptom and select treatment tactics. Until the diagnosis is verified, patients are advised to refrain from sexual intercourse.
To eliminate unpleasant symptoms, it is necessary to influence the etiological factor in the formation of gray secretions with a noticeably unpleasant odor, as well as to ensure the restoration of beneficial bacterial flora. To do this, combine local therapy with oral medications. The following pharmaceutical groups are considered the most effective:
Complete sanitation of the vagina with the restoration of normal microflora is possible only if the terms of antibiotic therapy are observed. Premature refusal to take antimicrobial agents contributes to the formation of treatment-resistant forms of microorganisms, the resumption of gray discharge, the need for longer and more serious therapy. After the condition improves, it is necessary to carefully observe personal hygiene, use barrier contraception during sexual intercourse with unfamiliar partners.