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Vaginal Discharge and Burning

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Abdulrazzak:
VAGINAL DISCHARGE
Vaginal discharge serves an important housekeeping function in the female reproductive system. Fluid made by glands inside the vagina and cervix carries away dead cells and bacteria. This keeps the vagina clean and helps prevent infection.
Most of the time, vaginal discharge is perfectly normal. The amount can vary, as can
Odor
Hue
 Depending on the time in your menstrual cycle. For example, there will be more discharge if you are ovulating, breastfeeding, or are sexually aroused. The smell may be different if you are pregnant or you haven't been diligent about your personal hygiene.
None of those changes is cause for alarm. However, if the color, smell, or consistency seems significantly unusual, especially if it accompanied by vaginal itching or burning, you could be noticing an infection or other condition.
What Causes Abnormal Discharge?
Any change in the vagina's balance of normal bacteria can affect the smell, color, or discharge texture. These are a few of the things that can upset that balance:
Antibiotic or steroid use
Bacterial vaginosis, a bacterial infection more common in pregnant women or women who have multiple sexual partners
Birth control pills
Cervical cancer
Chlamydia or gonorrhea (STDs), sexually transmitted infections
Diabetes
Douches, scented soaps or lotions, bubble bath
Pelvic infection after surgery
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
Trichomoniasis, a parasitic infection typically contracted and caused by having unprotected sex
Vaginal atrophy, the thinning and drying out of the vaginal walls during menopause
Vaginitis, irritation in or around the vagina
Yeast infections







Types of Abnormal Discharge and Their Possible Causes
Type of Discharge    What It Might Mean    Other Symptoms
1.   Bloody or brown      Irregular menstrual cycles, or less often, cervical or endometrial cancer
?   Abnormal vaginal bleeding, pelvic pain

2.   Cloudy or yellow   ?   Gonorrhea
?   Bleeding between periods, urinary incontinence, pelvic pain
3.   Frothy, yellow or greenish with a bad smell   ?   Trichomoniasis
?   Pain and itching while urinating
4.   Pink   ?   Shedding of the uterine lining after childbirth (lochia)
?   
5.   Thick, white, cheesy   ?   Yeast infection
?   Swelling and pain around the vulva, itching, painful sexual intercourse
6.   White, gray, or yellow with fishy odor   ?   Bacterial vaginosis
?   Itching or burning, redness and swelling of the vagina or vulva







Diagnose abnormal discharge?
The doctor will start by taking a health history and asking about your symptoms.
?   When did the abnormal discharge begin?
?   What color is the discharge?
?   Is there any smell?
?   Do you have any itching, pain, or burning in or around the vagina?
?   Do you have more than one sexual partner?
?   Do you douche?
The doctor may take a sample of the discharge or do a Pap test to collect cells from your cervix for further examination.
 Treatments
How you are treated will depend on what’s causing the problem.
 Yeast infections
?   Antifungal medications inserted into the vagina in cream or gel form.
Bacterial Vaginosis 
?   Antibiotic pills or creams.
Trichomoniasis
?   Metronidazole (Flagyl) or Tinidazole (Tindamax).
Here are some tips for preventing vaginal infections that can lead to abnormal discharge:
?   Keep the vagina clean by washing regularly with a gentle, mild soap and warm water.
?   Never use scented soaps and feminine products or douche. Also avoid feminine sprays and bubble baths.
?   After going to the bathroom, always wipe from front to back to prevent bacteria from getting into the vagina and causing an infection.
?   Wear 100% cotton underpants, and avoid overly tight clothing.

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