Yellowish liquid discharge. Yellow vaginal discharge

What's in the article:

Discharge is a normal physiological phenomenon, but not every girl knows about it. Today Koshechka.ru decided to talk to you about yellow discharge in women.

The amount, consistency, color of the vaginal discharge is affected by natural hormonal fluctuations, from which no girl is immune. The menstrual cycle, the onset of pregnancy or menopause affect the nature of the discharge.

But this is only one side of the coin. After all, discharge also occurs due to gynecological, urogenital diseases. Let us consider in more detail in which situations there is no reason for special concern, and when a visit to the gynecologist is needed urgently.

Norm indicators

Vaginal discharge is also called leucorrhoea. They are characterized as follows.

The color is normal - from a transparent white, creamy shade. Sometimes there are very soft, yellow, odorless discharges in women, and this is also a variant of the norm. Strongly noticeable traces on linen do not remain.
Pale yellow discharge - in a small volume, no more than a dessert spoon in volume. During ovulation, before menstruation, before intimacy and after, it is permissible to exceed this volume.
Consistency - homogeneous, leucorrhoea liquid. In the middle of the cycle, viscous mucus may be released, thicker, but not consisting of clots.

The causes of yellow discharge in women without a clear odor, but with a sour aroma, may be associated with the activity of the sour-milk vaginal flora.

If you are worried about itching and burning, then you should beware.

Why are there yellow discharge?

When the whites are yellow, this may be the first sign of pregnancy. But sometimes, especially if there is a smell, itching, the causes of yellow discharge in women are inflammation processes.

B, ovaries. Then the whites are not just yellow, but saturated, plentiful, tormenting with soreness in the lower abdomen. Unpleasant pain during urination and during intimate contact intensifies.
Erosion. Beli is dirty-yellow, and after intimacy it can pull the lower back, there will be bloody streaks in the discharge.
in the external genitalia. Then the discharge is yellow, and the vagina also swells a little, itching worries.

With urogenital infectious processes, the discharge has a bright color, the smell is extremely unpleasant.

Sometimes the causes lie in an allergic reaction. And she can be anything. Remember if you have recently bought new underwear made of synthetics, maybe you have tried cosmetic intimate preparations. The reaction may also occur to condoms, the introduction of tablets and vaginal suppositories.

The smell should alert!

If the vaginal discharge has an unpleasant smell, then the site warns that you may need to treat:

Pungent odors can also raise suspicions of gonorrhea, chlamydia.

Mucous discharge of a yellow-green hue

If the mucus is not pale yellow, but has greenish hues, then this indicates the presence of pus, that is, it indirectly indicates a high probability of a urogenital infection: chlamydia, trichomoniasis, gonorrhea, mycoplasmosis, ureaplasmosis.

Other signs of an STD include:

pain and itching during intimacy,
an admixture of blood in the vaginal mucus,
pulling pain in the lower back, abdomen, thighs,
pain when urinating
frothy nature of the discharge,
copious clots from the vagina,
swelling, redness of the female genital organs.

By the way, yellow-green discharge without a clear odor in women can be with mycoplasmosis or ureaplasmosis. And although there is no smell, there is redness and a feeling of pain in the genitals.

The names of infections listed above are not a signal to independently diagnose and treat them. The treatment regimen should be prescribed by the doctor after he makes an accurate diagnosis.

If left untreated, there is a high risk that the disease will turn into chronic form and will cause complications in the future. For example, the inability to conceive a child.

Prevention measures and important actions

Sometimes vaginal discharge is not a reason for antibiotic treatment, douching, or other similar measures. It happens that the discharge, not accompanied by discomfort, pain, requires the following measures:

take care of intimate hygiene,
choose underwear not from synthetics, but only from natural fabrics.

The discharge may become yellowish and those who are overexerted eat unbalanced meals. But a girl can be 100% sure of her health only when she does not just use barrier contraception or has sex only with a partner who can be trusted. It is also important to visit a gynecologist once every six months or a year, even if nothing bothers you, take vaginal swabs, sometimes, if necessary and as directed, smears for PCR, cytology, and undergo other examinations.

No need to worry and guess - it's better to once again make sure that your health is in order!

Experts say that women should only have discharge white color. Transparent highlights are also acceptable. They call them whites. It happens that such discharge becomes yellow, but inflammation is not always the cause, as many believe. Perhaps the reason lies in a change in the hormonal background, taking birth control pills, or severe stress is to blame. If the yellow discharge does not cause you itching, anxiety, burning, discomfort, pain and does not smell, then you can consider them normal discharge, that is, “whites”. If you still experience the symptoms that were listed above, yellow discharge may indicate that you have some kind of infection in your body.

Causes of yellow discharge in women

Many experts believe that in ninety-six percent of women, the amount of vaginal discharge increases precisely during the period of ovulation, their pregnancy, or before the onset of menstruation. However, keep in mind that during pregnancy it is necessary to be attentive to all changes of this form, because it is during this period that the female body is most susceptible to various infections.

As a rule, all sexually transmitted infections that are transmitted only sexually are provoked by microorganisms. They cause strong discharge, inflammation, burning and discomfort. They are most common in the presence of trichomoniasis. This disease leads to the appearance of foamy secretions, which are characterized by a yellow-green color. In addition, a woman during this period feels a very strong itching, painful burning sensation and severe irritation of all genital organs. The nature of leucorrhea, at the same time, depends on which infection trichomoniasis is combined with. Not infrequently, this disease is observed with gonorrhea, viral diseases of the female genital organs, chlamydia.

With gonorrhea, vaginal discharge appears, which has a very unpleasant odor, purulent character and a greenish tint. This disease often causes severe pain during urination. Such secretions mainly provoke inflammation and external organs.

Every woman has bacteria in her vagina. Only thanks to beneficial bacteria is the formation of normal microflora and acidity, which protects the female body from various infections. However, it should be borne in mind that a woman cannot feel a bad microflora in any way, because she is not capable of causing any symptoms. The number of bacteria begins to change due to improper care or due to the appearance of bacterial vaginitis. During this period, a woman feels pain during sexual contact, burning and discomfort.

Yellow discharge sometimes appears in the presence of cervical erosion. Ninety-eight percent of cases are characterized by inflammation during erosive processes. Inflammation of this kind also appears due to the fault of bacteria. Not infrequently, after sexual intercourse, the discharge comes with an admixture of blood.

With inflammation of the female internal organs, the nature of the whites can also very often change. Often, it provokes their inflammation, which is formed in the fallopian tubes. These diseases require immediate treatment, because they often lead to infertility and surgical complications.

If you notice that you have "abnormal" discharge, and they are tinged with yellow, but there are no negative symptoms, you should not start to worry. In such a case, you must do the following:

use linen exclusively from natural fabrics;
use only high-quality, good products for personal hygiene;
carefully monitor your personal hygiene;
always observe maximum caution during sexual contact, protect yourself.

If the discharge is accompanied by itching, pain, bad smell and difficulty urinating, you should immediately seek help from a highly qualified female doctor. Only through careful examination and reliable analysis can one determine true reason illness.

Every woman needs to know that the vaginal ecosystem is considered a complex system that can be easily disrupted, but severely, due to improper treatment. This can lead to long-term treatment in the future and problematic restoration of the microflora. This often takes years. That is why in no case should you self-medicate.

Vaginal discharge: causes of their occurrence, as well as effective methods of therapy
Vaginal discharge are a fairly common condition that from time to time worries all 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 from pathological discharge. We note immediately that vaginal discharge can be both odorous and odorless. Their color can vary from blood red to yellowish. According to the consistency, curdled, foamy, and also jelly-like discharges are distinguished. Along with their occurrence, a woman may also experience symptoms such as pain, itching, irritation. After reading the information presented in this article, you will be able to get acquainted with the most common forms of vaginal discharge, as well as learn about the methods of diagnosis and treatment of pathologies in which they are noted. In addition, this article will provide information regarding the problem of vaginal discharge during pregnancy.

Does vaginal discharge always indicate the presence of any disease? When 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, slime)
Discharge without a noticeable odor
A small amount of discharge
Discharges that do not cause irritation of the skin and mucous membranes of the genital organs
Discharge, not accompanied by fever, pain or discomfort in the genital area.

If the woman is completely healthy, then the vaginal discharge most often resembles mucus in its consistency, which is produced by the glands of the cervix. This kind of discharge is considered to be a normal phenomenon, since with their help it is possible to clean the genital tract, as well as protect the genitals from the effects of certain infections. Both the amount of normal vaginal discharge and their consistency are determined not only by the general health of the fairer sex, but also by the phase menstrual cycle. For example, a particularly large amount of liquid vaginal discharge is noted at the time of approaching ovulation.
An increase in the amount of this kind of secretions in a normal state of health is also possible in case of excessive sexual arousal, against the background of a stressful state or the use of certain pharmaceuticals, due to changes in climatic conditions.
A fairly large amount of abundant liquid discharge is also observed in pregnant women, and in the last months of pregnancy they become even more. The increase in their number during pregnancy is easy to explain. The fact is that during this period in the body of a woman there is an increase in the number of sex hormones.

Vaginal discharge - what can it be?
Below, readers will be provided with information on the most common forms of vaginal discharge, as well as the reasons that provoke their development.

Vaginal discharge of various colors, odors and textures
A little higher, we have already said that all healthy women have watery, transparent and colorless vaginal discharge. If they acquire a different consistency, a specific smell or some color, then, most likely, some disease has settled in the woman's body:

Bloody (red) vaginal discharge - are a signal that there is blood in the vaginal discharge. In most cases, this kind of discharge occurs two to four days before the onset of menstruation, after which they are converted into copious discharge along with the onset of menstruation. It is worth noting that this kind of discharge tends to be observed even a few days after menstruation. If the discharge is not plentiful, then it is better for a woman not to panic. Especially often this phenomenon is observed in women who wear a spiral.
Quite often, spotting is endowed with a blackish or brown color, which indicates the fact of oxidation, as well as the destruction of blood in the vagina.
There are also cases when a woman has spotting discharge, which contains a small amount of blood. As a rule, perimenstrual bloody discharge does not have a specific smell.

Sometimes mild spotting occurs 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 against the background of wearing an intrauterine device or using contraceptives, it is necessary to discuss this fact with a gynecologist, having previously signed up for a consultation with him.
If bloody vaginal discharge is in no way connected with the menstrual cycle, then they can be considered a signal of the presence of any pathology.
In most cases, this kind of discharge makes itself felt:

For menstrual irregularities
Endometriosis ( adenomyosis)
Cancer or erosion of the cervix. In this case, the discharge is especially abundant after sexual intercourse.

If a woman has a bloody vaginal discharge that is in no way related to menstruation, then she should immediately discuss this issue with her doctor.
As for the sudden red discharge, they can be triggered by an unexpected miscarriage in the first months of pregnancy. In case of development ectopic pregnancy a woman has very strong prolonged spotting. If, in addition to discharge, a woman also has some symptoms of pregnancy, then she should be immediately taken to the hospital.
Yellow, as well as whitish vaginal discharge, are 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 noted in such infectious pathologies as chlamydia, trichomoniasis, thrush, gonorrhea and others. As a rule, this kind 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 in the event that other symptoms of the disease are not observed in the expectant mother.

Curdled, frothy, 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. A little higher, we have already said that normal secretions must be liquid, similar to mucus. If the discharge is white curdled or foamy, then most likely the woman has some kind of infectious disease.

Vaginal discharge with an unpleasant odor
The appearance of vaginal discharge, endowed with a specific odor, indicates the presence of an infectious pathology. The smell in this case can be both sour and rotten or resemble the smell of fish. It occurs against the background of the vital activity of pathogens, which tend to decompose nutritional components, while releasing gases endowed with a very unpleasant odor.

Vaginal discharge before and after sexual intercourse
At the time of sexual arousal, the vaginal glands of the fair sex tend to intensively synthesize vaginal lubrication, so a large amount of transparent liquid discharge that occurs before and during sexual intercourse is considered to be the norm. Women should not be afraid of the appearance of thick, abundant discharge after sexual contact. The fact is that if sexual intercourse took place without the use of a condom, then it is quite possible that in this way the vagina is trying to clear itself of sperm. In most cases, this kind of discharge disappears in a fairly short period of time.
If a woman has spotting during or after sex, then most likely she has cervical erosion.
The appearance of yellow, purulent, white, gray or greenish discharge a few days or weeks after sexual intercourse is considered to be a signal of the occurrence of an infectious disease.

Vaginal discharge as a symptom of an 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 greatest number of pathologies in which vaginal discharge is noted are infectious and are transmitted during sexual contact.
The most common causes of vaginal discharge include:

candidiasis ( thrush)
Urogenital trichomoniasis

Urogenital trichomoniasis as a cause of vaginal discharge
Urogenital trichomoniasis is an inflammatory pathology of the genital tract of men and women, which is of an infectious nature. This disease occurs as a result of exposure to the human body of a microorganism 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 mucous membrane of the vagina. In medicine, this condition is called vaginitis. In the case of the development of vaginitis, a woman has a very strong foamy vaginal discharge, endowed with a very specific smell. In chronic vaginitis, the discharge becomes thick yellow or white. In most cases, in addition to the discharge, a woman is also worried about very severe itching in the vulva.

Diagnosis of urogenital trichomoniasis
It is impossible to make an accurate diagnosis of urogenital trichomoniasis, considering only the presence of discharge and some other symptoms of this pathology.
To identify this pathology, it is necessary to conduct such studies as:

The cultural method of research is the cultivation of colonies of microorganisms taken from the vagina on special nutrient media and their further study.
Microscopic examination of unstained ( native) swab 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 dyed with special dyes.

Therapy for urogenital trichomoniasis is possible only if a woman has been given a truly accurate diagnosis of this pathology. Among the most effective medicines used in the fight against this pathology, one can rank: Nimorazole, Metronidazole , Ornidazole, Tinidazole and others. It is very important that the therapy of this disease is carried out under the vigilant supervision of a doctor. Self-treatment in this case is not recommended, since this pathology, with irrational treatment, can become chronic. As a rule, during the treatment of urogenital trichomoniasis, vaginal discharge first becomes weaker, after which it disappears completely. It is also important to draw the attention of readers to the fact that the absence of discharge is not a fact of complete healing, so the course of treatment must be carried out to the end. How long it will last, your doctor will determine.

Bacterial vaginosis as a cause contributing to the development of vaginal discharge
Bacterial vaginosis is a very common pathology, accompanied by secretions that are endowed with an unpleasant odor. This disease occurs as a result of a very strong growth of bacteria directly on the mucous membrane of the vagina. In a healthy state, these bacteria are also found in the vagina, but only in very small quantities. Among them can be counted as Peptococci, and Gerdenerella vaginalis , Bacteroids and others. With the development of this pathology, a woman has white vaginal discharge, endowed with the smell of fish. To make a diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis, it is not enough just to know about the presence of secretions.

Diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis involves the use of such research methods as:

pH-metry, or detection of the acidity of the vaginal environment. In the normal state, the vagina has an acidic environment, but in the case of bacterial vaginosis, it becomes alkaline.

As soon as the diagnosis is made, the doctor will immediately prescribe an effective treatment. this disease.

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.
Gel metronidazole seventy-five percent - must be inserted into the vagina once a day for five days.

There are also cases when systemic medicines are also used in the fight against this pathology:

Ornisid forte should be taken orally five hundred milligrams in the morning and evening for five days.
Clindamycin take in capsules of three hundred milligrams in the morning and evening for seven days.
Metronidazole(Trichopol) in the form of tablets of two hundred and fifty milligrams. Take two tablets in the 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 the body of fungi of the genus Candida. In women, with the development of this disease, white thick discharge is observed. In addition, they may be disturbed by discomfort, as well as itching in the genital area. Quite often, this disease also causes pain and cramps during urination.

Diagnosis of thrush involves the use of the following research methods:

Microscopic examination of unstained swabs taken from the vagina.
Examination under a microscope of swabs stained with special dyes taken from the vagina.
A mycological study involving the detection of a type of fungus that provoked the development of urogenital candidiasis.

Therapy for urogenital candidiasis is determined by the pathogenesis of the disease: if a woman has infrequent exacerbations of this disease, then to combat it, she is prescribed medications such as:

Clotrimazole vaginal tablets two hundred milligrams - must be injected into the vagina once a day for three days.
Vaginal cream clotrimazole one percent should be injected into the vagina once a day for seven to fourteen days.
Isoconazole- vaginal suppositories of six hundred milligrams. It is recommended to enter into the vagina once.

If exacerbations of urogenital candidiasis occur more than four times a year, while the woman has very strong thick white discharge, then systemic preparations in the form of tablets are used:

Itraconazole (Irunin, Orungal) should be taken two hundred milligrams once a day for three days.
Fluconazole ( Diflucan, Flucostat, Mycomax) - is used according to several treatment regimens: one hundred and fifty milligrams once, or one hundred milligrams on the first, fourth, and also the seventh day of therapy.

In the fight against severe forms of this pathology, rather complex combinations and schemes of antifungal medications are used, which are prescribed to the patient by his attending physician.
Self-medication with 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 after he has the results of all the necessary studies in his hands.

Vaginal discharge during pregnancy
Vaginal discharge is especially alarming for 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.

Allocations to early dates pregnancy
A little higher, we already said that abundant clear discharge in the first months of pregnancy, which are not endowed with a specific odor, is normal.
If a woman has spotting during this period, then this can serve as a signal of an unexpected miscarriage or an ectopic pregnancy.
Whitish or purulent vaginal discharge in the early stages of pregnancy is considered to be a sign of the development of a particular infectious pathology.

Allocations to later dates pregnancy
In the second trimester of pregnancy in a healthy pregnant woman, vaginal discharge may become thicker and more viscous. This phenomenon is the norm. If the vaginal discharge is bloody, this may signal the onset of preterm labor or miscarriage, so in such cases, emergency hospitalization of the expectant mother is recommended. Brown vaginal discharge in late pregnancy is quite often 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 for vaginal discharge?

Every woman and girl can have normal and abnormal vaginal discharge. Normal secretions are due to natural physiological processes occurring in the body, and therefore are not signs of pathology and do not require a visit to a doctor. But pathological discharge is caused by various diseases, so when 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 secretions are in a small volume, translucent, transparent or whitish in color, watery, creamy or jelly-like consistency, with a slight sour smell. Normal discharge does not irritate the genitals, does not cause discomfort, itching, redness or swelling. Also, normal secretions do not emit a strong or unpleasant odor (eg fishy odor, strong sour odor, etc.).

In addition, slight bloody or brownish discharge is considered normal 2 to 4 days before and after menstruation. It is also normal to have mild spotting for several days during the ovulation period.

Spotting is considered pathological not before or after menstruation, and also not during ovulation. In addition, discharges of a greenish, yellowish, grayish, earthy color, containing impurities of pus, blood, flakes, vesicles, having a curdled or other heterogeneous consistency, emitting an unpleasant pungent odor or causing itching, burning, swelling, redness and discomfort in the genital area, are pathological. organs.

Which doctor should I contact with pathological vaginal discharge?

In case of any pathological discharge, a woman should consult a doctor obstetrician-gynecologist (make an appointment). If the discharge causes a feeling of discomfort, itching, redness, burning or swelling in the genital area, then 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 has changed, impurities of pus, mucus, flakes or vesicles have appeared in them, they have turned greenish, yellowish, grayish or earthy in color, they have begun to emit an unpleasant odor, then the woman can also contact 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 can prescribe for vaginal discharge depends on the nature of these discharges, accompanying symptoms, and the results of a gynecological examination.

First of all, for any nature of the discharge, the doctor prescribes a gynecological bimanual examination (with hands) and an examination of the tissues of the vagina and cervix in the mirrors. These studies are considered routine and are made without fail when a woman contacts a medical facility for any kind of vaginal discharge.

Further, if there is a fairly heavy bleeding (bleeding, as during menstruation, in the same or more quantity), the doctor usually prescribes an ultrasound examination (ultrasound) (endometrial hyperplasia. If the cervix is not damaged, then with minor bleeding / blood smearing is prescribed hysteroscopy, diagnostic curettage and ultrasound.

With pathological discharges of an inflammatory nature (with a greenish, yellowish, grayish, earthy color, containing impurities of pus, blood, flakes, vesicles, having a curdled 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 swab for flora (make an appointment), which makes it possible to identify a number of the following infectious diseases: candidiasis, trichomoniasis, gardnerellosis (bacterial vaginosis), gonorrhea (sign up). These genital infections are 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, according to 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 the most detrimental to the infectious agent present in the particular case. If the immediately prescribed treatment is ineffective, then the doctor prescribes a bacteriological or mycological culture.

If, according to the results of the smear, no infectious agents were found, 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 the vaginal discharge for the presence of Trichomonas and gonococci is prescribed by PCR and blood test for syphilis (pale treponema) (make an appointment), since these pathogens are most common. If, according to the results of the analysis, those are found, then treatment is prescribed.

If gonococci, Trichomonas or pale treponema are not detected, then it is prescribed analysis for ureaplasma (sign up), chlamydia (sign up), mycoplasma (sign up), gardnerella, bacteroids. Analyzes for these pathogens can be different - bacteriological culture, PCR, ELISA, and various methods of taking and staining smears from the vagina. 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 analyzes most often have to be taken in private laboratories for a fee.

If the results of the tests revealed the absence of trichomoniasis, gonorrhea, syphilis, candidiasis, ureaplasmosis, chlamydia, mycoplasmosis and gardnerellosis, but there is inflammatory process, 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 genitals of a woman.

Pregnant women with suspected amniotic fluid leakage are usually prescribed a vaginal smear test for scales. In addition, there are pharmacy, ready-to-use tests for amniotic fluid leakage, which are similar in principle to pregnancy tests. A pregnant woman can use such tests on her own. Otherwise, when inflammatory discharge from the vagina appears, pregnant women are prescribed the same tests as non-pregnant women. And when it appears spotting during pregnancy, women are sent to the hospital for examination, since in a similar position they can be a sign of pregnancy complications.

What will the discharge in early pregnancy tell about?

Before use, you should consult with a specialist.

Yellow discharge in women has a different nature of origin. The appearance of mucus is influenced by physiological and pathological factors. When assessing the state of health, the intensity of secretions, their smell, shade and impurities should be taken into account. Physiologically normal discharge does not require treatment. They appear at different periods of a woman's life and are not accompanied by a deterioration in well-being. Painful discharge always proceeds with the addition of unpleasant sensations, pain, discomfort and itching.

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Yellow discharge in the normal range

Yellow discharge in women is divided into physiologically normal and pathological. Cervical mucus is essential for moisturizing the mucous membranes of the vagina. It performs cleansing functions, protects against infections and helps sperm to move through the genital tract. The composition of the cervical mucus includes the epithelium, microflora, leukocytes and the secret of the mucous membranes. The color of the discharge changes depending on the menstrual cycle:

The first days after menstruation, a small amount of cervical mucus is produced. It has a thick consistency that gives it a yellowish tint.
Increased mucus a few days before ovulation. It can become cloudy, and the consistency resembles glue. At this time, white or white-yellow spots can be seen on the underwear.
The maximum amount of discharge is observed during the period of ovulation. The color is usually clear or cloudy, but becomes yellowish with poor hygiene.

Yellow discharge in women during menstruation is considered normal.. The mucus should not contain clots or smell bad.

General symptoms

Pathological discharge is always accompanied by unpleasant sensations. The appearance of yellow mucus should be the reason for contacting a gynecologist for examination. The development of pathological processes is also indicated by difficulty urinating, pain in the lower abdomen and pain during intercourse.

Yellow pathological discharge in women is accompanied by the following symptoms:

vaginal itching;
burning;
sour smell;
the smell of fish;
the presence of clots;
curd secretions;
temperature rise.

Such secretions differ from physiological ones in color saturation. Painful mucus will have brighter tones. For candidal lesions of the vagina, the presence of the smell of fish is characteristic. With candidiasis, the discharge has a light shade, but the neglected form is manifested by the presence of yellow mucus.

Diseases of a bacterial nature

The exact cause of the appearance of yellow discharge in a woman cannot be determined solely by color and smell. Diseases can be caused by viruses, bacteria or fungi. Pathological secretions are abundant. They can change their color and shade depending on the degree of the pathology.

Diseases of the reproductive organs:

Vaginitis. The cause is bacteria and fungi of the genus Candida. The provoking factor is mechanical trauma to the mucous membranes of the vagina, diseases of the endocrine system, an allergic reaction or a decrease in immunity. The disease proceeds with the presence of itching, pain during urination and sexual intercourse, the mucus will have an unpleasant odor. In gynecological practice, pathology occurs in women of reproductive age.
Adnexitis. An inflammatory disease. It affects the appendages of the uterus and tubes. It develops due to staphylococcus, streptococcus, Escherichia coli, gonococcus. The provoking factor for the disease is the presence of chronic stress, overwork, a drop in immunity. If left untreated, there is a violation of the integrity of the epithelial lining of the uterus. With pathology, there is pain in the lower abdomen, a violation of the menstrual cycle and urination. In severe cases, adnexitis leads to infertility.
Salpingitis. Inflammatory disease of the fallopian tubes. It develops in the presence of pathological microflora. There is an accumulation of serous fluid, which eventually becomes yellow. Symptoms include pain during menstruation, fever, nausea and vomiting.

Bacteria are part of the neutral microflora of the vagina. They do not cause harm in the presence of a healthy immune system. The fallopian tube and appendages are sterile. The presence of even neutral bacteria in these organs leads to the development of diseases.

Sexually transmitted diseases

If there is bright yellow mucus after sexual intercourse, then there is a high probability of having an STD. Associated symptoms include the presence of pain during sex, vaginal burning and itching, bleeding in the middle of the menstrual cycle, bad smell.

STDs that cause yellow discharge in women:

Gonorrhea. The incubation period is 2-10 days. Mucus becomes yellow or yellowish-green. A woman will feel pain during urination, and the discharge itself causes irritation and redness of the external genitalia.
Trichomoniasis. It is considered the most common infection of the genitourinary system. A feature of the disease is swelling of the external genital organs and the presence of foamy yellow discharge. Marked itching and irritation of the mucous membranes. The incubation period is 4-5 days, but the disease can be asymptomatic for a long time.
Chlamydia. The disease affects 5 to 15% of people of reproductive age. Women are more susceptible to chlamydia than men. It proceeds with the release of purulent mucus.

Purulent discharge yellow color indicates damage to the uterus, appendages or fallopian tubes. The presence of such mucus indicates that the tissues of the organs are in a neglected state. Lack of treatment significantly increases the risk of infertility.

Yellow discharge during menopause

Menopause in women occurs after 50 years. In this phase, the body prepares itself for the cessation of reproduction. There is a restructuring of the endocrine system, as a result of which it is disturbed hormonal background. Estrogen is responsible for the performance of the female genital organs. The lack of this hormone leads to the development of endometrial hyperplasia. The mucous membranes coarsen, which increases the concentration of the epithelium in the mucus. The yellow color can be caused not only by a high concentration of epithelial tissue, but also by the absence of menstruation.

The onset of menopause is preceded by a lengthening of the cycle. First, it increases to 40 days, then by 2 months. Menstruation during menopause in women occurs, but of a meager nature. At this time, yellow discharge may be observed, as with normal menstruation. Scanty bleeding can stain them dark.

During pregnancy

In the early stages of pregnancy, a woman has vaginal discharge. Normally they are transparent or slightly yellowish. Mucus is an excess secretion that the cervix secretes after conception. A kind of cork is formed to save the fetus from negative factors.

Yellow discharge in women during pregnancy is normal in the second trimester. They are caused by active growth of the fetus, as well as changes in the hormonal background. The mucous membrane of the vagina becomes sensitive. External irritants in the form of pads or synthetic underwear can induce the body to increase secretion.

Abundant yellow discharge appears a week before childbirth. They mean that the mucous plug that protects the entrance to the uterus has come off. Pure, abundant discharge of a transparent color is not a pathology during pregnancy. However, the presence of symptoms in the form of itching, burning and pain indicate the addition of an infection.

Treatment at home

Treatment of yellow discharge in women at home consists of complex therapy. Traditional medicines and medications are used. Before starting treatment, you should consult with your doctor.

Therapeutic rules:

Traditional medicine recipes:

Means	Description
Pine baths	For 3 liters of water, add 150 g of dry pine. It is necessary to use bark, trunk or branches with fresh needles. Cook for 40 minutes over low heat. It turns out a light antibacterial extract for taking baths
nettle juice	Use 3 times a day for a dessert spoon. Helps reduce the pain of yellow discharge or menstruation
Decoction for douching	Pour a tablespoon of blueberry leaves into a glass of boiling water. Boil for 15 minutes. Filter and cool before use. Use 1 time per day
St. John's wort	A tablespoon of dry grass per 1 liter of boiling water. Cook for 30 minutes over low heat. Strain through cheesecloth and use as a douche

Medical therapy:

Group	Preparations, description	A photo
Antifungal	Pimafutsin, Candide, Kanizon, Mikozon. Available in the form of tablets and ointments. For the treatment of vaginal candidiasis, it is a priority to use topical agents. The drugs act on the cells of the fungus, inhibiting their development and reproduction.
Antibiotics	Pancef, Amoxicillin, Miramistin, Amosin. Antibacterial drugs suppress the activity of not only pathogenic microflora, but also neutral. Dysbacteriosis is one of the reasons for the development of candidiasis, so long-term use of antibiotics should be accompanied by antifungal drugs.
Antiviral	Altevir, Arbidol, Valtrex, Ingavirin. All antiviral drugs are prescribed by a doctor after examination and diagnosis. Antivirals should be taken with caution during pregnancy and while breastfeeding as these medications are highly toxic.

Women's health is a sensitive issue. Many women try to solve the problem of yellow discharge on their own, without going to the doctor. This is facilitated by a large amount of available information on the Internet and in women's forums. But, alas, not all information is reliable, and it is critically difficult to perceive what is read when it comes to the most precious thing - health.

One of the questions that a gynecologist often faces is: "What to do with yellow discharge." We will try to debunk the most common misconceptions in this matter and explain what to do if a woman has yellow discharge.

Myth one. A healthy woman does not have discharge.

Nature has endowed a woman with an excellent defense mechanism for her main reproductive organ - cervical mucus. Cervical mucus forms a kind of plug on the way from the vagina to the uterus, and prevents pathogenic microorganisms from getting inside. This mucus makes up most of the vaginal discharge. Moreover, its quantity and appearance largely depends on the day of the cycle. For example, in its first half, from the end of menstruation to the onset of ovulation, cervical mucus gradually becomes liquid under the influence of hormones. A woman can observe a transparent stretching discharge that looks like egg white. After ovulation, the amount of discharge decreases, they become creamy and almost do not appear.

In addition to cervical mucus, the cervical canal and vagina work to create secretions: it secretes a secret, clearing itself of bacteria and dead cells. These processes help maintain a woman's health and renew her reproductive system.

Therefore, it is impossible to say that the presence of secretions is abnormal. It is much more correct to talk about a healthy amount of discharge, the presence or absence of odor or foreign matter (for example, bloody) 1 .

Myth two. Yellow discharge is a sign of a sexually transmitted infection.

We already have a rough idea of what healthy secretions should look like, why they change during the cycle, what they consist of. But where does the yellow discharge come from?

Reason 1 - Physiology.

A yellowish, odorless discharge and itching may be a normal variant. The color of the discharge can range from clear or white to cream and pale yellow. At the same time, healthy secretions will not cause discomfort in the form of burning or itching, do not stain linen and do not appear in an amount of more than 5 ml per day (this is the volume of 1 teaspoon). Normally, such yellow discharge is odorless, or has a slight sour smell, which indicates the action of protective lactic acid bacteria - normal representatives of microflora 2.

Reason 2 - Inflammatory diseases.

The cause of diseases in most cases are microorganisms - bacteria that are normally either present in the body in very small quantities, or absent altogether. Under certain conditions (decreased immunity, other diseases, a decrease in the barrier and protective function of the vagina), they begin to multiply intensively and cause inflammation. Often, against the background of a bacterial disease or due to a decrease in immunity, a fungal infection also appears, which women know by the name "thrush" and candidiasis.

Yellow discharge in a woman may be accompanied by:

Discomfort, burning sensation or itching.
Redness and inflammation of the external genitalia.
Discharge in women of a yellowish color with an odor is associated with the activity of pathogenic microflora (the smell is putrid or fishy).
If this is a fungal infection, then often there are "curdled" discharge with a pronounced sour smell.
In inflammatory diseases, they can be not only yellow, but also greenish.

Specific symptoms depend on which microorganism is causing the problem. At the same time, it must be emphasized once again that inflammatory diseases are not always sexually transmitted infections. A banal decrease in immunity, hypothermia, improper hygiene, and even intestinal dysbacteriosis can cause the reproduction of bad bacteria. Only a doctor can accurately determine what caused the disease, and in accordance with the diagnosis, prescribe the correct treatment 3 .

Reason 3 - Allergy.

The manifestation of an allergy on the genitals is sometimes difficult to distinguish from an infection. The appearance of itching, redness and inflammation, dryness, odorless yellow discharge is sometimes caused by allergens, not bacteria. The most common cause is synthetic underwear, scented pads, laundry detergent, intimate hygiene products, shower gels, latex condoms, lubricants, vaginal suppositories and pills (including contraceptives) 3 .

Myth three. Yellow discharge can be cured with folk remedies or douching.

The tactics of treating yellow discharge, which are not included in the concept of the norm, will depend on the cause of the disease.

If the cause is inflammation or sexual infection, the doctor, based on the results of examinations (smears, ultrasound, examination), prescribes the appropriate drugs.

If immunity and the natural microflora of the vagina are impaired, drugs are prescribed to restore protective functions.

If the cause is an allergy, but the allergen is not obvious, additional testing is sometimes required, such as allergy testing. Although most often a woman will simply be advised to exclude all possible irritants, and odorless yellow discharge will disappear by itself 3.

And in case of hormonal failures (this is especially true for women during menopause), the doctor often prescribes hormone replacement therapy 4 .

Obviously, home remedies - herbal baths, soda washes, douches - will only bring temporary relief, but will not eliminate the problem. Moreover, they can be harmful. For example, a soda solution dries the delicate mucous membrane and destroys beneficial bacteria, in the absence of which harmful bacteria begin to multiply. Douching can help to remove pathological secretions, but also wash out the beneficial microflora, and only contribute to increased inflammation.

1. Savelyeva G. M. Gynecology (textbook) / G. M. Savelyeva, V. G. Breusenko. - M.: GEOTAR-Media, 2012. - 432 p.
2. Uvarova E. V. Vagina as a microecosystem in the norm and in inflammatory processes of the genitals of various etiologies (literature review) / E. V. Uvarova, F. Sh. Sultanova // Gynecology. - 2002. - No. 4 (4)
3. Zubakova O. V. Diagnosis and treatment of nonspecific bacterial vulvovaginitis (diss.) / O. V. Zubakova. - M., 2001; 26 p.
4. Balan V. E. Urogenital disorders in menopause (clinic, diagnosis, hormone replacement therapy) (diss.) / V. E. Balan. - M., 1998; 305 p.