Vaginal discharge is a clear or white odorless liquid that is secreted by the glands of the cervix and vagina. It is necessary to remove impurities and dead cells from your body. Apart from preventing infections, the flow also acts as a lubricant, so its presence is very important.
There are times when discharge is not enough to ward off infections. They can be easily identified thanks to the change in color and smell of the discharge, which turns yellowish and gives off a strong, bad odor. This is a warning sign to go see a specialist doctor to diagnose the possible problem. Here at OneHowTo we are going to go ahead and answer why do I have yellow discharge.
The amount of vaginal discharge differs from one person to another, especially depending on factors such as ovulation, lactation, pregnancy or the excitement of the woman. So, depending on the cycle in which you are at the moment, the amount will be higher or lower.
When we talk about normal vaginal discharge, we're referring to transparent or white, odorless discharge. In this case, there is no need to worry.
However, if discharge is yellow we could be facing an inflammation or infection, usually of a sexual nature. You should confront it as soon as possible to avoid further discomfort, pain or even chronic diseases that lead to infertility, such as contracting PID (Pelvic Inflammatory Disease).
Yellow discharge might mean you've got gonorrhea. It is a sexually transmitted disease caused by the bacterium, Neisseria gonorrhoeae. The symptoms are yellow discharge and sometimes a burning sensation with urination or bleeding between periods.
Gonorrhea should be treated with a combination of antibiotics prescribed by a gynecologist, since this disease could lead to something more serious and irremediable as PID.
Chlamydia is another infection that can be signaled by yellow discharge. It is caused by the bacteria called Chlamydia trachomatis, which is transmitted sexually. Its symptoms appear at 2 or 3 weeks of infection. In this case, the yellow discharge is accompanied by a bad odor and itching in the vagina, and with fever and nausea in severe cases.
It should be treated with antibiotics so as not to risk infertility in the long term. To know more about sexually transmitted diseases, or STDs, take a look at our article.
You might have yellow discharge because of another of the most common sexually transmitted infections, trichomoniasis. In this case, discharge may also acquire a greenish hue. The genitals also suffer from irritation, so urinating or having sex can become very painful.
The administration of antibiotics is essential to end this disease, where the partner will also be treated to prevent further contagion no matter their sex.
Apart from infections, we may also be facing a problem of inflammation in the cervix. This can also make discharge turn yellow as well as pain and bleeding during sex or between periods.
This is called cervicitis, and it can happen not only after having suffered from a sexually transmitted disease, but also because of misuse of the diaphragm or an allergy to condoms and spermicides. This inflammation can last longer, so it is important to go to a doctor and have it safely diagnosed.
In addition to these problems, one of the most common infections in the vagina is vaginosis. It is an imbalance between Lactobacilli - a bacteria which naturally disinfects and keeps the organisms in the vagina at a normal level - and other anaerobic bacteria, which multiply. This imbalance leads to this kind of infection.
It is not a sexually transmitted disease, and it often occurs after douching,which is not recommended. Anything that alters vaginal flora - from antibiotics to multiple partners or iron deficiency - can be a risk factor.
We must not confuse the shade of the flow when it is white and has a cottage cheese texture, with symptoms of burning and itching, because this signals a fungal infection, usually called by Candida albicans and requires another type of treatment.
Remember to check any changes in the color of your discharge. If this is accompanied by other symptoms in your body, put yourself in the hands of a professional. Since the symptoms of the infections we've listed are similar, it is impossible to know exactly what the problem is after specific tests. Self-medication is not the solution in any case.
This article is merely informative, oneHOWTO does not have the authority to prescribe any medical treatments or create a diagnosis. We invite you to visit your doctor if you have any type of condition or pain.
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