Why is female discharge salty? What can cause yellowish discharge and sour vaginal odor?
The human body is the most complex, but at the same time the most perfect mechanism in nature. Its functionality directly depends on the state of the environment and the harmonious interaction of internal systems. The female body is especially sensitive to external manifestations and internal changes. The woman's sexual sphere is most susceptible to negative factors.
Causes of white discharge
Malfunction of a woman’s reproductive system can occur for various reasons and manifest itself in the form of white discharge with a sour odor. A moderate amount of discharge is normal for the female body and is due to the acidic environment of the vagina. But if the discharge becomes abundant, its consistency and smell change - this indicates the presence of deviations in sexual function and is a sign of an infectious disease.
There are several reasons why white vaginal discharge with a sour odor appears. Here are some of them:
- changes in hormonal levels during pregnancy;
- the presence of an inflammatory process due to infection;
- trauma to the genital organ;
- the appearance of a tumor;
- use of contraceptives of chemical origin;
- inactivity leading to stagnant processes in the pelvic area.
There are some non-pathological factors that influence the nature of the discharge. These include: the beginning of sexual activity, changing sexual partners,. White discharge with a pungent odor may indicate a gynecological disease. It is necessary to conduct a diagnostic examination to identify the cause of the discharge.
Symptoms of genital diseases
The functioning of internal systems is determined by the individual characteristics of a woman’s body. It often happens that indicators that are normal for one organism indicate the development of a disease in another. With the advent of a provoking factor, the reproductive system begins to malfunction, and specific discharge appears that worries and alarms the woman. White discharge may indicate the occurrence of diseases such as: vulvitis, urogenital, vaginitis, cervicitis, tumor formations on the cervix, bacterial vaginosis and other inflammatory diseases.
The onset of the disease may be accompanied by the following characteristic symptoms:
- itching in the genitals;
- redness of the genital organ;
- moisture in the genital area;
- discharge with a specific odor;
- pain and discomfort when urinating;
- nagging and aching pain in the lower abdomen.
If similar symptoms occur, you must see a gynecologist and undergo appropriate tests to identify the cause of the abnormalities. All of these signs may indicate a serious infectious disease, untimely treatment of which can lead to serious complications.
Treatment and prevention of discharge
Diagnosis of the disease comes down to identifying the nature of the discharge and the accompanying symptoms. The doctor does not make a diagnosis based only on external symptoms. Additional data is required: analysis of a vaginal smear, analysis of a culture method and mycological examination. Based on the results obtained, the doctor makes a diagnosis and prescribes treatment for each woman individually. Depending on the causes of discharge, the doctor may prescribe antibacterial drugs (Fluconazole, Itraconazole, Clindamycin, Metronidazole and others), vaginal suppositories (Isoconazole), and physiotherapy.
To treat complex infectious processes, complex treatment regimens and combinations of antimicrobial drugs are used.
To protect yourself from the occurrence of infectious diseases of the genital area, you need to follow simple rules. These include:
- maintaining personal hygiene;
- wearing underwear made of cotton fabric;
- wearing underwear of the right size, which does not allow excessive friction and compression;
- presence of sexual relations with one partner, excluding promiscuity;
- use of barrier contraception during sexual intercourse;
- periodic observation by a gynecologist;
- quick response to a malfunction of the reproductive system and seeking help from a specialist.
You should not self-medicate and hope that the disease will go away on its own. Often the cause of discharge with a sour odor can be several types of infections. Only properly selected medications will help to effectively resist the infection and gradually destroy it, preventing relapse. A woman’s genitourinary system must be healthy, as it is associated with an important function - childbirth.
Abundant cheesy discharge with a sour odor in women is not considered a sign of normality. In healthy patients, the discharge is almost colorless and is not accompanied by a pungent odor. If there are changes that are accompanied by itching and discomfort, you should consult a doctor, because this may be a sign of the spread of infection or the development of cancer.
The causes of the development of conditions when a cheesy substrate is released from the vagina can be viral, infectious, or bacterial diseases, due to which immunity is reduced.
Causes of curdled discharge with a sour odor and itching
Fungal diseases
A factor in the development of unpleasant symptoms is thrush, which appears when the Candida fungus spreads. It develops when the immune system is weakened and hormonal imbalances occur. The level of lactic acid in the vaginal area changes due to the use of antibiotics or contraceptives, and frequent viral diseases. When Candida spreads, the discharge has a mucous structure, with cheesy impurities and an unpleasant odor.
Bacterial forms
Decreased immunity destroys the acid-base balance of the vagina. If the balance of the acid-base vaginal environment is disturbed, they speak of the development of bacterial vaginosis. Harmful microorganisms reduce the number of beneficial lactobacilli. Changes are observed with douching, intestinal ailments, as a result of immune system failures or hormonal disorders, as well as in the presence of different sexual partners.
Urogenital infections
The reason for the changes may be:
- Trichomoniasis, which develops in parallel with other ailments of the reproductive system. The disease is transmitted sexually, less commonly through household contact. Characteristic:
- white thick discharge has a sour odor and foamy structure, and sometimes changes color to green or yellowish;
- brownish tint, indicating organ damage.
- Gonorrhea, which develops when ingested by gonococci, which are not easy to cure. Due to the similarity of symptoms, patients begin to be treated for thrush, thereby disrupting the clinical picture of the disease.
Main features
| Illness | Signs |
| Thrush |
|
| Bacterial vaginosis |
|
| Trichomoniasis |
|
| Gonorrhea |
|
Vaginal discharge are a fairly common condition that from time to time worries all representatives of the fair sex, without exception. In most cases, the occurrence of vaginal discharge causes fear in a woman. In fact, only a few can distinguish normal discharge from pathological ones. We note right away that vaginal discharge can be either odorless or odorless. Their color can vary from red-bloody to yellowish. Based on consistency, there are curdled, foamy, and jelly-like discharges. Along with their occurrence, a woman may also experience symptoms such as pain, itching, and irritation. After reading the information presented in this article, you will be able to familiarize yourself with the most common forms of vaginal discharge, as well as learn about methods of diagnosis and treatment of pathologies in which they occur. In addition, this article will provide information regarding the problem of vaginal discharge during pregnancy.
Does vaginal discharge always indicate the presence of a disease? In what cases is vaginal discharge considered normal?
Vaginal discharge can occur even in completely healthy women, and this condition is considered normal. Signs of healthy vaginal discharge include:
- Clear, liquid discharge ( jelly-like, mucus)
- Discharge without a noticeable odor
- A small amount of discharge
- Discharges that do not cause irritation to the skin and mucous membranes of the genital organs
- Discharge not accompanied by an increase in body temperature, pain or discomfort in the genital area.
An increase in the amount of this type of discharge in a normal state of health is also possible in the case of excessive sexual arousal, against the background of stress or the use of certain pharmaceuticals, due to changes in climatic conditions.
Quite a large amount of copious liquid discharge is also observed in pregnant women, and in the last months of pregnancy there is even more of it. The increase in their number during pregnancy is easy to explain. The fact is that during this period, an increase in the number of sex hormones occurs in a woman’s body.
Vaginal discharge - what can it be?
Below, readers will be presented with information regarding the most common forms of vaginal discharge, as well as the reasons that provoke their development.
Vaginal discharge of varying colors, smells and consistency
We already said a little higher that all healthy representatives of the fairer sex experience watery, transparent and colorless vaginal discharge. If they acquire a different consistency, a specific smell or some color, then, most likely, some kind of disease has settled in the woman’s body:
Bloody (red) vaginal discharge - is a signal that there is blood in the vaginal discharge. In most cases, this type of discharge occurs two to four days before the onset of menstruation, after which it turns into heavy discharge along with the onset of menstruation. It is worth noting that this type of discharge tends to occur several days after menstruation. If the discharge is not abundant, then it is better for the woman not to panic. This phenomenon is especially common in women who wear IUDs.
Quite often, spotting is blackish or brown in color, which indicates the fact of oxidation, as well as destruction of blood in the vagina.
There are also cases when a woman experiences spotting, which contains a small amount of blood. As a rule, perimenstrual bleeding does not have a specific odor.
Sometimes light spotting is observed at the time of ovulation, as well as in women who wear a spiral or use oral contraceptives. In the case of a constant occurrence of this phenomenon while wearing an intrauterine device or using contraceptives, it is necessary to discuss this fact with a gynecologist, having previously made an appointment with him.
If bloody vaginal discharge is in no way related to the menstrual cycle, then it can be considered a signal of the presence of some pathology.
In most cases, this type of discharge makes itself felt:
- For menstrual irregularities
- Endometriosis ( adenomyosis)
- Cancer or cervical erosion. In this case, the discharge is especially abundant after sexual intercourse.
As for sudden red discharge, it can be caused by an unexpected miscarriage in the first months of pregnancy. If an ectopic pregnancy develops, a woman experiences very strong, prolonged bleeding. If, in addition to discharge, a woman also exhibits some symptoms of pregnancy, then she should be immediately taken to the hospital.
Yellow and whitish vaginal discharge is especially often observed with the development of certain infectious pathologies that tend to be sexually transmitted. The yellow or whitish color is due to the accumulation of a huge number of leukocytes and microbes in the secretions.
Purulent vaginal discharge are observed in such infectious pathologies as chlamydia, trichomoniasis, thrush, gonorrhea and others. As a rule, this type of discharge also causes a feeling of discomfort in the genital area and itching. Sometimes women also complain of pain in the lumbar region or lower abdomen. During pregnancy, whitish, viscous vaginal discharge is considered to be a normal condition if the expectant mother does not experience other symptoms of the disease.
Curdled, foamy, thick vaginal discharge
A change in the consistency of vaginal discharge is also considered to be one of the clear signs of the presence of a particular pathology. We already said a little higher that normal discharge must be liquid, similar to mucus. If the discharge is white, cheesy or foamy, then most likely the woman has some kind of infectious disease.
Vaginal discharge with an unpleasant odor
The appearance of vaginal discharge with a specific odor indicates the presence of an infectious pathology. The smell in this case can be either sour or rotten or reminiscent of the smell of fish. It occurs against the background of the activity of pathogenic microorganisms, which tend to decompose nutritional components, while releasing gases with a very unpleasant odor.
Vaginal discharge before and after sexual intercourse
At the moment of sexual arousal, the vaginal glands of the fair sex tend to intensively synthesize vaginal lubrication, so that a large amount of liquid transparent discharge, which is noted before and during sexual intercourse, is considered to be the norm. Women should not be afraid of the occurrence of thick, profuse discharge even after sexual intercourse. The fact is that if sexual intercourse took place without using a condom, then it is quite possible that in this way the vagina is trying to cleanse itself of sperm. In most cases, this type of discharge disappears in a fairly short period of time.
If a woman experiences spotting during or after sex, then most likely she has cervical erosion.
The appearance of yellow, purulent, white, gray or greenish discharge several days or weeks after sexual intercourse is considered to be a signal of the occurrence of some infectious disease.
Vaginal discharge as a symptom of infection
Vaginal discharge is considered to be a clear sign of the development of an infectious pathology of the genital tract in only a few cases. The largest number of pathologies in which vaginal discharge is noted are infectious and transmitted during sexual intercourse.
The most common causes of vaginal discharge include:
- Candidiasis ( thrush)
- Urogenital trichomoniasis
Urogenital trichomoniasis is an inflammatory pathology of the genital tract of men and women, which is infectious in nature. This disease occurs as a result of exposure to a microorganism in the human body. Trichomonas vaginalis . Infection with this pathology occurs during sexual intercourse. A clear sign of the development of this disease is considered to be inflammation of the vaginal mucosa. In medicine, this condition is called vaginitis. If vaginitis develops, a woman experiences very strong foamy vaginal discharge with a very specific odor. With chronic vaginitis, the discharge becomes thick, yellow or white. In most cases, in addition to the discharge, the woman is also bothered by very severe itching in the external genital area.
Diagnosis of urogenital trichomoniasis
It is impossible to make an accurate diagnosis of urogenital trichomoniasis, taking into account only the presence of discharge and some other symptoms of this pathology.
To identify this pathology, studies such as:
- A cultural research method is the cultivation of colonies of microorganisms taken from the vagina on special nutrient media and their further study.
- Microscopic examination of unstained ( native) a smear taken from the vagina.
- PCR (polymerase chain reaction) research method involving the study of genetic material Trichomonas vaginalis .
- Microscopic examination of a stained vaginal smear. It is painted with special dyes.
Therapy for urogenital trichomoniasis is possible only if the woman has been given a truly accurate diagnosis of this pathology. Among the most effective medications used in the fight against this pathology are: Nimorazole, Metronidazole , Ornidazole, Tinidazole and others. It is very important that the treatment of this disease is carried out under the vigilant supervision of a doctor. Self-treatment in this case is not recommended, since this pathology can become chronic if not treated properly. As a rule, during therapy for urogenital trichomoniasis, vaginal discharge initially becomes weaker, and then disappears completely. It is also important to draw the attention of readers to the fact that the absence of discharge does not mean complete healing, so the course of treatment must be completed to the end. How long it will last will be determined by your attending physician.
Bacterial vaginosis as a reason contributing to the development of vaginal discharge
Bacterial vaginosis is a very common pathology accompanied by discharge that has an unpleasant odor. This disease occurs as a result of a very strong growth of bacteria directly on the vaginal mucosa. In a healthy state, these bacteria are also present in the vagina, but only in very small quantities. These can be counted as Peptococcus, so Gerdenerella vaginalis
, Bacteroides and others. With the development of this pathology, a woman experiences white vaginal discharge with a fishy odor. To make a diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis, information about the presence of discharge alone is not enough.
Diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis involves the use of such research methods as:
- pH-metry, or detection of the acidity of the vaginal environment. In a normal state, the vagina has an acidic environment, but in the case of bacterial vaginosis, it becomes alkaline.
Therapy for bacterial vaginosis involves the use of local drugs, namely:
- Vaginal suppositories clindamycin ( one hundred milligrams) – must be inserted into the vagina once a day for six days.
- Metronidazole gel seventy-five percent - must be inserted into the vagina once a day for five days.
- Ornisid forte should be taken orally five hundred milligrams in the morning and evening for five days.
- Clindamycin Take three hundred milligram capsules in the morning and evening for seven days.
- Metronidazole(Trichopolum) in the form of tablets of two hundred and fifty milligrams. You should take two tablets morning and evening for seven days.
Urogenital candidiasis (thrush) as a cause contributing to the occurrence of vaginal discharge
Urogenital candidiasis is an inflammatory pathology of the genital organs in women and men, resulting from exposure to fungi of the genus Candida. In women with the development of this disease, white thick discharge is observed. In addition, they may experience discomfort and itching in the genital area. Quite often, this disease also causes pain and cramping during urination.
Diagnosis of thrush involves the use of the following research methods:
- Examination under a microscope of unstained smears taken from the vagina.
- Examination under a microscope of smears taken from the vagina stained with special dyes.
- Mycological study, which involves the detection of the type of fungus that provoked the development of urogenital candidiasis.
- Clotrimazole vaginal tablets two hundred milligrams - must be inserted into the vagina once a day for three days.
- Clotrimazole vaginal cream one percent should be inserted into the vagina once a day for seven to fourteen days.
- Isoconazole– vaginal suppositories of six hundred milligrams. It is recommended to insert into the vagina once.
- Itraconazole (Irunin, Orungal) should be taken two hundred milligrams once a day for three days.
- Fluconazole ( Diflucan, Flucostat, Mikomax) - used according to several treatment regimens: one hundred and fifty milligrams once, or one hundred milligrams on the first, fourth, and seventh day of therapy.
Self-medication for any of the above ailments is impossible. Sometimes vaginal discharge is the result of several infectious pathologies at once. Under such circumstances, a course of therapy can only be prescribed by a specialist, and then only after he has the results of all the necessary studies.
Vaginal discharge during pregnancy
Vaginal discharge is especially alarming to expectant mothers, since during this period they are responsible not only for themselves, but also for the child. In fact, every pregnant woman should pay special attention to the nature of vaginal discharge in order to “sound the alarm” at the right time.
Discharge in early pregnancy
A little higher, we said that copious clear discharge in the first months of pregnancy, which is not endowed with a specific odor, is normal.
If a woman experiences bloody discharge during this period, then this may serve as a signal of an unexpected miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy.
Whitish or purulent vaginal discharge in the early stages of pregnancy is considered to be a sign of the development of one or another infectious pathology.
Discharge in late pregnancy
In the second trimester of pregnancy, in a healthy pregnant woman, vaginal discharge may acquire a thicker and more viscous consistency. This phenomenon is normal. If vaginal discharge is bloody, this may serve as a signal of the onset of premature labor or miscarriage, so in such cases, emergency hospitalization of the expectant mother is recommended. Brown vaginal discharge in late pregnancy quite often occurs due to minor bleeding from the vessels of the cervix. In this case, a pregnant woman should also visit a doctor.
When should you see a doctor about vaginal discharge?
Every woman and girl can have normal and pathological vaginal discharge. Normal discharge is caused by natural physiological processes occurring in the body, and therefore is not a sign of pathology and does not require visiting a doctor. But pathological discharge is caused by various diseases, so if they appear, you need to consult a doctor. Accordingly, in order to understand when you need to see a doctor for vaginal discharge, you need to know which discharge is pathological and which is normal.Normal discharge is small in volume, translucent, transparent or whitish in color, watery, creamy or jelly-like consistency, with a slight sour odor. Normal discharge does not irritate the genitals and does not cause discomfort, itching, redness or swelling. Also, normal discharge does not emit a strong or unpleasant odor (for example, fishy odor, strong sour odor, etc.).
In addition, slight bloody or brownish discharge 2 to 4 days before and after menstruation is considered normal. Light spotting for several days during ovulation is also considered normal.
Bloody discharge not before or after menstruation, and also not during ovulation, is considered pathological. In addition, discharge of a greenish, yellowish, grayish, earthy color, containing impurities of pus, blood, flakes, bubbles, having a cheesy or other heterogeneous consistency, emitting an unpleasant pungent odor or causing itching, burning, swelling, redness and discomfort in the genital area, is pathological. organs.
Which doctor should I contact if I have pathological vaginal discharge?
For any pathological discharge, a woman should consult a doctor obstetrician-gynecologist (make an appointment). If the discharge causes discomfort, itching, redness, burning or swelling in the genital area, the woman can contact an obstetrician-gynecologist or venereologist (make an appointment), since such symptoms indicate the presence of an infectious-inflammatory process, which can be treated by both a gynecologist and a venereologist.If, within two weeks after intercourse, the nature of the discharge changes, impurities of pus, mucus, flakes or bubbles appear in it, they turn greenish, yellowish, grayish or earthy in color, and begin to emit an unpleasant odor, then the woman can also consult a venereologist or a gynecologist, since such discharge indicates infection with an infectious disease.
What tests can doctors prescribe for vaginal discharge?
The list of tests and examinations that a doctor may prescribe for vaginal discharge depends on the nature of the discharge, accompanying symptoms and the results of the gynecological examination.First of all, for any type of discharge, the doctor prescribes a gynecological bimanual examination (by hand) and examination of the tissues of the vagina and cervix in the speculum. These studies are considered routine and are carried out without fail when a woman goes to a medical facility regarding vaginal discharge of any nature.
Further, if there is quite heavy bleeding (blood discharge, as during menstruation, in the same or greater quantities), the doctor usually prescribes an ultrasound examination (endometrial hyperplasia. If the cervix is not damaged, then even with minor bleeding/ In case of bleeding, hysteroscopy, diagnostic curettage and ultrasound are prescribed.
For pathological discharge of an inflammatory nature (with a greenish, yellowish, grayish, earthy color, containing an admixture of pus, blood, flakes, blisters, having a cheesy or other heterogeneous consistency, emitting an unpleasant pungent odor or leading to itching, burning, swelling, redness and discomfort in the genital area) the doctor always prescribes first flora smear (sign up), which allows you to identify a number of the following infectious diseases: candidiasis, trichomoniasis, gardnerellosis (bacterial vaginosis), gonorrhea (sign up). These sexually transmitted infections are the most common compared to others, and therefore at the first stage the doctor does not prescribe more expensive and complex tests, because a simple smear on the flora allows them to be detected.
If, based on the results of the smear, it was possible to identify candidiasis, trichomoniasis, gardnerellosis or gonorrhea, then the doctor can go in two ways - either immediately prescribe treatment, or take a smear from the vagina for bacteriological and mycological culture to determine which antibiotics and antifungal agents will be most destructive in relation to the infectious agent present in a particular case. If the immediately prescribed treatment turns out to be ineffective, the doctor prescribes bacteriological or mycological culture.
If, according to the results of the smear, no infectious agents were detected, but there is a picture of inflammation, then the doctor prescribes more complex tests to identify pathogenic microbes. Usually, first of all, an analysis of vaginal discharge is prescribed for the presence of Trichomonas and gonococci using the PCR method and blood test for syphilis (treponema pallidum) (sign up), since these are the pathogens that occur most often. If the results of the analysis reveal any, then treatment is prescribed.
If gonococci, Trichomonas or Treponema pallidum are not detected, then ureaplasma test (sign up), chlamydia (sign up), mycoplasma (sign up), gardnerella, bacteroides. Tests for these pathogens can be different - bacteriological culture, PCR, ELISA and various methods of collecting and staining vaginal smears. The choice of analysis is made by the doctor and depends mainly on the technical capabilities of the medical institution or on the financial capabilities of the patient, since the most accurate tests most often have to be taken in private laboratories for a fee.
If the test results reveal the absence of trichomoniasis, gonorrhea, syphilis, candidiasis, ureaplasmosis, chlamydia, mycoplasmosis and gardnerellosis, but there is an inflammatory process in the genitals, then the doctor may prescribe tests for the presence of viruses - herpes virus types 1 and 2, human papillomavirus, cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus, which can also provoke inflammation in the female genital organs.
Pregnant women who suspect leakage of amniotic fluid are usually prescribed a vaginal smear test for scales. In addition, there are pharmacy, ready-to-use tests for leakage of amniotic fluid, which are similar in principle to pregnancy tests. A pregnant woman can use such tests independently. Otherwise, when inflammatory vaginal discharge appears, pregnant women are prescribed the same tests as non-pregnant women. And if bleeding occurs during pregnancy, women are sent to the hospital for examination, since in such a situation they can be a sign of pregnancy complications.
What does discharge in early pregnancy tell you?
Before use, you should consult a specialist.At absolutely any age, women secrete a special secret from the vagina, which performs protective functions - it prevents the penetration of pathogenic microorganisms into the organs of the reproductive system and moisturizes the mucous membranes, thus preventing their damage. Normally, this secretion has no odor and does not cause discomfort. But under the influence of external and internal factors, its character can change. For example,sour smell of discharge in womenmay appear as a result of hormonal disorders in the body or the development of gynecological diseases. And now you will find out how to accurately determine the cause of its occurrence and what to do about it.
Main reasons
Before considering the factors that provoke the appearance of discharge that has a sour odor, it is necessary to immediately note that they can be not only pathological, but also physiological. Most often, the appearance of such an aroma from the intimate area is a consequence of various changes in the body that are not associated with the development of any diseases.
The functioning of the organs of the reproductive system directly depends on hormonal levels. Depending on the phases of the menstrual cycle, the production of certain hormones in the body periodically either slows down or, on the contrary, becomes more active. For example, in the first half of the menstrual cycle, the ovaries actively produce estrogen, which ensures normal and timely maturation of the egg. After ovulation occurs (this happens on days 12-16 of ovulation), the synthesis of this hormone slows down and is replaced by progesterone, which is responsible for maintaining pregnancy after fertilization of the egg.
Regardless of whether a woman is sexually active or not, such hormonal surges are mandatory and natural, since they ensure the normal course of the menstrual cycle.
It should be noted that in the female vagina there is a special microflora in which lactic acid bacteria are present. Under the influence of hormonal fluctuations, their growth is also either accelerated or suppressed. That's whydischarge with the smell of sour milk, which occur periodically in women, are considered natural and do not require specific therapy.
However, in addition to lactic acid bacteria, the vaginal environment is inhabited by opportunistic microorganisms, including fungi of the genus Candida and Gardnerella. When conditions favorable for them arise in the vaginal cavity, their growth can be activated, which is the cause of infectious diseases, which can also manifest themselves in the appearance of discharge with a sour odor in girls and women. But more on that later.
WHO (World Health Organization) has established certain frameworks that characterize normal discharge in women:
- Quantity: no more than 4-5 ml per day.
- Consistency: liquid or slimy.
- Odor: odorless or slightly sour odor.
- Color: transparent or white.
- Taste: salty or sweetish.
In this case, normal vaginal discharge is not accompanied by any extraneous symptoms, such as itching or burning. The secreted vaginal mucus contains secretions produced by the glands located on the cervical canal and dead epithelial cells. The intensity of discharge depends on age. For example, in young women their number is much greater than in mature women, which is caused by hormonal fluctuations. After menopause, the synthesis of sex hormones slows down, and therefore the amount of vaginal secretion decreases after 45 years.
Under the influence of hormonal levels,acidic dischargemay often occur in pregnant women. In addition to the fact that during this period the production of progesterone increases, cell division actively occurs in the body. New ones appear, “old” ones peel off and get into the cervical mucus, which causes heavy discharge.
Important! If white discharge with a sour odor during pregnancy begins to be accompanied by irritation in the intimate area, burning and other symptoms unusual for a normal condition, then you should immediately inform your doctor about this. The appearance of such a clinical picture always signals the development of pathologies.
Pathological causes
As mentioned above, the vaginal environment is inhabited by opportunistic microorganisms, which, when activated, produce discharge with an unpleasant odor.
If we talk specifically about the appearance of a sour odor from the intimate area, then most often its occurrence is provoked by fungi of the genus Candida, which are the causative agents of candidiasis (thrush). Their active reproduction can occur under the influence of the following factors:
- Poor immunity.
- Taking antibacterial drugs.
- Frequent douching.
- Very frequent drinking of alcohol.
- Stress.
- Taking hormone-containing drugs.
- Insufficient hygiene or lack of hygiene for several days.
When candidiasis develops, a white, creamy discharge or discharge that looks like grainy cottage cheese may also appear. In this case, the clinical picture necessarily includes the following symptoms:
- The discharge smells like kefir or sour milk;
- The outer lips minor and major swell and turn red;
- The urge to urinate becomes more frequent and is accompanied by pain;
- Severe itching and burning occurs in the intimate area.
If you have white, cheesy discharge, which is accompanied by the symptoms described above, then you should urgently go to the doctor. Since if treatment of candidiasis is delayed, the infection can spread to other internal organs, provoking the occurrence of pathological processes in them. Typically, when this happens, a woman experiences brown discharge outside of her period.
It should be noted that with this disease, yellow discharge with a sour odor may also appear. Their occurrence is caused by the presence in the vaginal secretion of a large amount of fungal waste and the oxidation process. When the secretion comes out of the vagina, it reacts with oxygen, which leads to a change in its shades.
What is the danger of candidiasis?
Candidiasis is dangerous not only due to the appearance of itching and burning in the intimate area, but also due to the high risk of complications arising from it. If a woman does not receive adequate treatment, the infection can spread to the kidneys and other internal organs, provoking the development of pathological processes in them.
When the disease becomes chronic, frequent relapses occur, in which not only thick white discharge with a sour odor appears, but also painful sensations in the lower abdomen, which indicate the occurrence of complications such as cervical erosion and inflammation of the ovaries.
Candidiasis often provokes the development of bacterial vaginosis, which is characterized by the active growth of gardnerella in the vagina, which is caused by a decrease in the level of lactic acid bacteria.
Quite often, heavy white discharge occurs in pregnant women. And if they are accompanied by symptoms of candidiasis, you must immediately inform your doctor. Since fungal infection of the reproductive organs reduces the elasticity of the uterus and cervical canal, which in the initial stages of pregnancy can provoke a miscarriage, and during childbirth, serious ruptures.
Important! If a pregnant woman has been diagnosed with candidiasis, she must be treated immediately, as there is a high risk of infection of the child during its passage through the birth canal, as a result of which it may develop serious health problems after birth.
If the patient experiences white discharge with a taste of sour milk, the occurrence of which was caused by non-pathological reasons, no treatment is prescribed. It is used only when heavy discharge is a consequence of hormonal imbalance in the body. In this case, special drugs are used that replenish the reserves of missing hormones. Such medications are prescribed strictly on an individual basis after receiving the results of a laboratory blood test for hormones.
If curd-like discharge from the vagina occurs against the background of the active development of candidiasis, then treatment involves the use of antifungal drugs. Moreover, in this case, both local remedies in the form of vaginal suppositories and external gels and ointments are used to eliminate the unpleasant symptoms that manifest the disease.
In addition to antifungal medications, a woman may be prescribed multivitamin complexes to strengthen the immune system, as well as following a special therapeutic diet (the doctor should tell you in detail about it). During treatment, a woman is not recommended to enter into intimate relationships. If she has a regular sexual partner, then he must also undergo treatment.
Only a doctor can determine the exact reason why a woman has this kind of vaginal discharge and how to treat it. You should not self-medicate, as this can lead to serious consequences. Remember, treatment is always individual and even to treat the same candidiasis, different drugs are used in all women. They are selected taking into account the general health of the patient and the severity of the disease.
Every woman of childbearing age has a small, odorless discharge that is translucent and white. However, you should start to worry if a sour smell appears in women's discharge. Most often it is a rather pungent stench, reminiscent of sour milk and a cheesy appearance.
Causes of sour odor
The sour smell of discharge in women is an alarming signal from the body, which can indicate both an infection and a serious cancer.
Thrush
The Candida fungus, which provokes the development of thrush, reproduces successfully in an acidic environment. Its growth is positively influenced by disruptions of the body's immune and hormonal systems.
Taking antibiotics, frequent acute respiratory viral infections, influenza, and long-term use of birth control pills directly affect changes in the level of lactic acid in a girl’s vagina. The percentage ratio (98% lactobacilli, 2% opportunistic bacteria) is violated, which leads to the appearance of various gynecological diseases, including thrush.
During the abundant growth of Candida fungi, mucus appears with an unpleasant odor and the characteristic consistency of small balls in a viscous liquid reminiscent of cottage cheese.
White cheesy discharge with a sour smell may disappear for a week or a month, but then return again. The vagina becomes inflamed, severe itching and burning may occur. Sometimes, in advanced cases, thrush can threaten other body functions, so you need to see a doctor as soon as possible.
Signs of thrush:
- Isolation of white curd secretion. A characteristic feature is precisely the heterogeneous secretion, which may not smell, but in consistency resemble cottage cheese or kefir. A sour smell is characteristic.
- Itching, burning, on the outer lips, throughout the entire perineal area. If you have such symptoms, you should not hesitate to go to the doctor. Itching interferes with leading a normal lifestyle and can become chronic. If candidiasis is not treated, you will have to suffer from it constantly.
- Swelling of the outer labia. The changed size may make it difficult to walk and wear underwear. You urgently need to visit a gynecologist to identify the cause and promptly prescribe treatment for both partners. If a woman is diagnosed, this does not mean that her partner is not infected. During treatment, it is important to try to exclude sexual activity, and in case of sex, use barrier contraception.
Bacterial vaginosis
This deviation is caused by microorganisms that disrupt the balance of the xylo-alkaline environment of the vagina. They negatively affect lactobacilli, reducing their number. Vaginosis is characterized by discharge with the smell of sour milk, itching, burning of the genitals, nagging abdominal pain, pain during sex. The course of the disease may be accompanied by brown discharge.
Causes of occurrence.
- Long-term use of antibiotics;
- Douching;
- Intestinal diseases;
- Decreased immunity;
- Hormonal changes in the body;
- Many sexual relationships, early onset of sexual activity.
Although there are many more reasons, these are the main ones. Despite the fact that the disease is not sexually transmitted through unprotected sex, constant change of partners negatively affects the vaginal microflora.
Bacterial vaginosis and pregnancy.
During pregnancy, the number of lactobacilli increases, and the amount of pathogenic flora decreases. If there are unfavorable factors, opportunistic bacteria may develop. Bacterial vaginosis is caused by several bacteria, the main one being Gardnerella vaginalis. Patients with this disease have a harder time bearing the fetus and sometimes give birth prematurely. Symptoms include, among others, the release of secretions that smell like fish.
At first, the color of the pathogenic secretion is white, light or grayish. As the disease progresses, a greenish-yellow tint begins to predominate. The consistency of mucus is sticky, viscous or foamy.
In pregnant women with a mild course of the disease, serious treatment is not prescribed, provided that the expectant mother has no complaints. But such women should be especially careful about their health and the behavior of the fetus in the womb, because they are at increased risk.
It is necessary to have a kit at home to check for leakage of amniotic fluid - with bacterial vaginosis, there is a risk that rupture of the membranes will occur prematurely. Regular examinations by a gynecologist will help reduce anxiety and increase control over the progress of such a pregnancy.
Trichomoniasis
It is classified as infectious and often comes along with chlamydia, gonorrhea, and other diseases of the genital organs and urinary system. It is transmitted sexually, but rarely through household contact, through contaminated towels.
Trichomoniasis is a serious problem that sometimes contributes to the development of mastopathy, diabetes, and allergies.
Symptoms in women:
- White discharge with a sour odor is similar to foam, and there are cases of greenish or yellowish mucus. The possibility of brown discharge cannot be ruled out either. Usually this color indicates the presence of damage to internal organs;
- Irritation of the genitals, perineal area;
- Erosions, ulcers on the genitals;
- Unpleasant sensations during urination;
- Discomfort during sexual intercourse.
Before the start of the menstrual cycle, symptoms intensify. Trichomoniasis also manifests itself as vulvovaginitis, even in younger girls.
It is necessary to consult a doctor immediately, because trichomoniasis causes serious complications and increases the risk of transmitting HIV and other infections. Girls who experience some of the listed symptoms should still be tested for the presence of trichomoniasis and other STDs.
Gonorrhea
A sexually transmitted disease develops due to gonococci, which die quickly in the external environment, but feel confident in the body; it can be difficult to get rid of them. The course of the disease is accompanied by yellow or yellowish discharge in women. Greenish mucus indicates chronic or acute internal inflammation. This color indicates that pus is coming out of the body.
Often a girl confuses gonorrhea with thrush, and incompetent self-medication erases the entire clinical picture.
Many girls try first of all to get rid of the smell by masking it with cosmetics. With this attitude the problem will get worse. It is important to cure the cause, defeat the causative agent of the disease, then the symptoms will go away accordingly.
It is important to follow a few simple rules to prevent such problems:
- Take a shower morning and evening;
- Use specially developed products for intimate hygiene (sold mainly in pharmacies, help normalize the level of lactobacilli, soothe the skin, popular ingredients: chamomile extract, licorice root, lactic acid);
- Wear underwear made from natural fabrics more often than from synthetic ones;
- Do not wear tight-fitting clothes at all times (if air access to a girl’s intimate parts is constantly blocked, then constant stagnation will form, which means there are prerequisites for the creation of a favorable environment for bacteria);
- At the first symptoms of itching and burning, stop taking a hot bath for a while, reduce the consumption of junk food and alcohol;
- Be sure to see a gynecologist, and if possible, a gastroenterologist (problems of the gastrointestinal tract can provoke many women’s diseases);
When taking a shower, wash yourself from front to back (this is advice for all girls, regardless of the presence or absence of problems in the female part; if you do the opposite, then there is a high probability of introducing bacteria from the anus into the vagina).
