Lifestyle: Vaginal discharge is natural and also very important. The vagina produces vaginal discharge to clean itself and keep the pH level balanced. It is white or off-white in colour. It may look like gel, water, or a paste. These are made of cells and bacteria.
White discharge is also necessary to lubricate the vagina, which helps in sexual intercourse and is necessary to prevent the vagina from becoming dry. However, changes in the color and odor of vaginal discharge may be a cause for concern. Sometimes sudden onset of excessive vaginal discharge can also be an indication of some health condition. Therefore, to get more information about this, we talked to Dr. Anita Sharma (Senior Director of Gynecology and Obstetrics Department, Max Hospital, Vaishali). Let us know what he told about this.
What is the reason for excessive vaginal discharge?
Dr. Sharma said that there could be many reasons behind excessive vaginal discharge. However, the most common reason behind this is vaginal infection. Vaginal infections can be of many types, like bacterial, viral, fungal, protozoal etc. Therefore, first of all it is detected with the help of test. Then we start treating it as per need.
One reason for excessive vaginal discharge is bacterial vaginosis. Many types of microbes are present in the vagina, which are very important for vaginal health. But due to imbalance in their flora the amount of vaginal discharge may increase. Due to this, the smell of vaginal discharge also changes.
One reason for this is yeast infection. It is caused by the overgrowth of Candida, a species of yeast. This may cause vaginal infection.
STIs can also cause changes in vaginal discharge. Symptoms of STIs, such as gonorrhea, chlamydia, or trichomoniasis, also include changes in the color and odor of vaginal discharge. Due to these, the amount of vaginal discharge can also increase. Therefore protection from STI is important. Having physical relations with more than one person at a time can also cause vaginal infection and change in vaginal discharge.
Vaginal discharge also depends on hormones. Therefore, due to changes in these, vaginal discharge can be more or less. Hormones keep changing during the menstrual cycle. In such a situation, the amount of vaginal discharge may increase during ovulation. Similarly, during pregnancy, there may be excessive vaginal discharge due to changes in hormones. Apart from this, this problem can also occur due to hormonal imbalance.
Women suffering from diabetes may also have the problem of increased amount of vaginal discharge, which is mostly fungal. Additionally, taking antibiotics can also cause changes in vaginal discharge because it can alter the vaginal flora.
Some medical conditions, such as cervicitis, pelvic inflammatory disease can also increase vaginal discharge.
Some lifestyle factors, such as poor hygiene, can also cause infection and increased vaginal discharge.
Many people do douching to clean their vagina. Due to this the vaginal flora may get disturbed. Many times, vaginal discharge starts increasing due to wearing tampons, menstrual pads etc. for a long time.
How to take care of vaginal health?
Further, Dr. Sharma said that to take care of vaginal health, it is important that you take care of hygiene. For this, wash the outer part of the vagina and vulva with water and some mild soap. Avoid douching and also avoid using scented products. This may worsen the vaginal pH.
Also keep in mind that you wear cotton underwear, so that the sweat around the vagina can dry. Wetness can cause infection. Similarly, change underwear even after exercising or swimming, so that there is no wetness. Apart from this, include healthy foods in your diet and drink plenty of water.
