Vaginal discharge (leucorrhoea) is the appearance of a liquid or thick discharge of various colors from the genital tract of a woman, often with an unpleasant odor. The symptom may be accompanied by intense itching of the vulva, the vestibule of the vagina, pain and discomfort in the lower abdomen, discomfort during sexual intercourse. Whites are found in genital infections, diseases of the uterus and appendages, injuries of the genital organs. To determine the cause of the discharge, a gynecological examination, bacteriological analysis of the discharge, and instrumental methods are necessary. To eliminate leucorrhea, the underlying disease is treated.
Normally, women may experience slight, odorless vaginal discharge. A viscous mucous vaginal discharge, similar to egg white, is observed during ovulation. With pathological whites, the patient notices an increase in the amount of secretion, an atypical color of the discharge. Yellowish or brown spots remain on the underwear. With a large volume of discharge, the secret accumulates between the large and small labia, in the perineum. The discharge may be with a sour, fishy, rotten smell.
Leucorrhea is often combined with intense itching in the perineum and on the eve of the vagina, irritations and rashes appear on the skin around the genitals. Sometimes pain in the lower abdomen. With abundant vaginal discharge, a woman is forced to use sanitary pads for critical days. Patients note psychological discomfort due to the sharply fetid smell of discharge. A change in the color and consistency of the vaginal discharge indicates pathologies of the genital area or extragenital diseases, so in such cases it is necessary to consult a doctor.
Vaginal discharge is divided into physiological, associated with the reaction of the epithelium of the reproductive organs to natural changes in the hormonal background, and pathological, caused by various diseases. In terms of density and consistency, the discharge from the vagina is watery, thick and viscous, dense, curdled, sometimes foamy whites are observed. For the diagnosis and choice of medical tactics, the classification of secretions by color is important, according to which such types of leucorrhoea are distinguished as:
Vaginal discharge is also classified by smell - in a number of patients, leucorrhoea has a sour, putrid, fetid odor. Quite often there is a discharge with the smell of fish, sometimes there is a stench of rotten meat. Taking into account the localization of the pathological process that caused leucorrhoea, they are divided into vestibular, vaginal, cervical (cervical). With secretions that form in the uterus and appendages, they talk about corporal and tubal leucorrhoea.
A scanty watery or slimy ("like snot") secret without aroma is periodically formed in healthy women. Abundant discharge with a sour smell indicates the presence of the disease. Transparent discharge from the vagina causes such reasons as:
A thick curdled discharge is characteristic of the vaginal and cervical localization of pathological changes. The combination of leucorrhea with intense perineal itching and soreness during intercourse indicates an infectious process. White discharge from the vagina provokes:
The outflow of blood from the lumen of the vagina, not associated with recent trauma to the groin, as a rule, indicates a serious organic disease. The main pathologies that cause spotting from the vagina are:
Abundant grayish discharge from the genital slit is associated with violations of the vaginal microflora as a result of genital infections or damage to other organs. Gray discharge from the vagina is characteristic of conditions such as:
A thick, scanty, light yellow secret sometimes occurs in women a few days before the onset of menstruation. Foamy yellow discharge from the vagina, which has an unpleasant odor, is typical for the following diseases of the genital organs:
With various inflammatory processes, from a few drops to several milliliters of thick, fetid pus can be released from the vagina, which is accompanied by sharp pains in the lower abdomen and fever. With purulent discharge from the vagina flow:
With vaginal discharge with or without any unpleasant odor, a gynecologist's consultation is indicated, during which, using physical and instrumental methods, the external and internal organs of the genital area are examined in detail. To clarify the cause of leucorrhoea, various clinical and microbiological studies are performed, of which the following are of the greatest diagnostic value:
To exclude syphilis, the Wasserman reaction is carried out, according to indications, tests are performed aimed at diagnosing tuberculosis. Clinical and biochemical blood tests help to establish the causes of the inflammatory process; in case of volumetric formations, the level of the main tumor markers is determined. With a clarifying purpose, CT or MRI of the pelvic organs is used; in difficult cases, they resort to diagnostic laparoscopy. With persistent scanty odorless discharge, you may need to consult an endocrinologist.
To find out the cause of leucorrhea, the study of a vaginal smear will help
To reduce itching and other uncomfortable sensations, it is recommended to regularly carry out hygiene procedures and use pads. Local baths with antiseptic solutions and decoctions of medicinal herbs are effective, which are aimed at stopping the inflammatory process, reducing the number of pathogenic bacteria. With severe pain, analgesics from the group of NSAIDs, antispasmodics are taken. With the appearance of fetid leucorrhoea, discharge with a sour smell, bloody discharge from the vagina, it is urgent to visit a doctor to determine the cause of the disorder.
The treatment regimen is selected individually after finding out the cause of leucorrhea and assessing the state of the patient's reproductive system. The main is etiopathogenetic therapy, supplemented by symptomatic agents. Drug treatment is combined with local and physiotherapeutic methods. If the discharge with a noticeable unpleasant odor is caused by genital infections, simultaneous treatment of both sexual partners is desirable. In clinical practice, the following groups of drugs are used:
The accumulation of pus in the uterine cavity or fallopian tubes, suppuration of cysts, abscesses of the Bartholin glands are indications for sanitation and drainage of pathological foci. When fistulas are formed, they are excised and plasticized to preserve the anatomical structure of the genital tract. In the case of benign neoplasms, it is necessary to exfoliate the tumor within healthy tissues; in the case of a malignant process, oophorectomy and amputation of the uterus are usually recommended. For the treatment of endometriosis, the altered tissue is removed, followed by cauterization.