  
|  |
|
|
|
Reviewed by Dr Phillip Owen, consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist
|
What is vaginal discharge?
Vaginal discharge is the result of secretions produced from
small glands in the lining of the vagina and the cervix.
All women have a little discharge starting a year or two before
puberty and ending after the
menopause. How much
discharge a woman notices changes from time to time and it will change quite a
lot between periods.
How much discharge is normal?
The amount of discharge varies from woman to woman. Different
women probably also have different opinions of what is normal. But if it always
involves using panty shields, or changing protection or underwear several times
a day, then it is probably heavier than normal and a doctor should be
consulted.
The amount of discharge is often influenced by hormonal changes
in the woman's body. The week before a
period, being
pregnant or using the oral contraceptive pill are all typically associated with
an increase in vaginal discharge.
What colour is normal discharge?
A normal, physiological, discharge is usually clear, creamy or
very slightly yellow.
It is advisable to consult a doctor if any of the following
changes are noticed as they may indicate that the discharge is caused by
infection (vaginitis).
-
If there is suddenly a greater amount of discharge.
-
If the discharge changes colour from yellow-whitish to
brownish, reddish or greenish.
-
If it becomes smelly.
What can the doctor do?
The doctor will take samples of the discharge in order to detect
infection. The samples will be looked at under a
microscope and will
be sent to the laboratory for further investigation.
If a woman is concerned about vaginal discharge or
vaginitis, especially
if there is a possibility that it may be a
sexually transmitted
disease, then she should seek advice from her GP, family planning
clinic, genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinic or gynaecologist.
|
Based on a text by Dr Charlotte Floridan and Dr Niels Lund, specialist
|
Last updated 04.01.2005
|
 |
|
|
 |
| |      |
|
