| Vaginal discharge should give you no reason for | | | | embarrassed if you suffer from this condition |
| concern; it is a normal happening that women are | | | | because you are not alone. It helps to talk about |
| accustomed too. Women on a daily basis initiate a | | | | health worries so confide in a girlfriend about your |
| hygiene pact on the vagina and carry on | | | | concerns, who at some time may have suffered |
| regardless in acceptance of their vaginal discharge | | | | the same problem; however, this is not the best |
| being yet another natural function of the body, | | | | approach to cure a vaginal infection if you have |
| and how right they are. | | | | one. |
| Vaginal discharge is a normal female body function | | | | Symptoms that show signs of in-normality are a |
| in which the vagina stays moist as part of the | | | | fishy smell, a white curd like texture (thickness), |
| self-cleansing process. The vagina releases a flow | | | | itchiness or pain. Abdominal pain or discomfort |
| of discharge which helps remove dead cells and | | | | when having sexual intercourse is not normal so |
| bacteria. By normal discharge we mean the | | | | make an appointment with your doctor for an |
| amount lost, colour and smell, these reasons help | | | | examination so they can determine what is |
| determine whether the vaginal discharge is normal | | | | causing your discomfort. Unusual timely sightings |
| or not. | | | | of specks of blood in your vaginal discharge can |
| Discharge comes from glands in the cervix and is | | | | imply that an infection may be present. |
| slightly acidic which is important for keeping the | | | | Genital sore/ ulcers should not go untreated. Aside |
| vagina healthy, preventing infections. The acidity | | | | from the vagina early detection of any unusual |
| results from lactic acid, formed by friendly | | | | lumps on other parts of the body will increase the |
| bacteria as they break down sugars. Infections | | | | odds of survival should a deadly disease occur like |
| need medical attention, talk to your doctor so | | | | cancer. One condition common among women |
| they can prescribe the appropriate medication to | | | | with the above mentioned symptoms is bacterial |
| treat the infected area which may be the cause | | | | vaginosis. Others causes can be thrush, |
| of offending odours. | | | | trichomoniasis and not using fresh tampons. Poor |
| Women tend to differ - so vaginal discharge may | | | | hygiene causes vaginal odours. Some women |
| vary. Some women found that the week | | | | believe that the vagina naturally smells - when in |
| following their period there is hardly any discharge, | | | | fact it is an odourless organ of the body. |
| and what is noticeable, is of a thick consistency. | | | | Not all smelly vaginal discharges are due to the |
| Towards the middle of menstruation the amount | | | | thrush infection; it is more directed towards |
| of vaginal discharge can increase and is normally | | | | bacterial vaginosis. Thrush is caused by the yeast |
| described in appearance as thin, slimey and clear. | | | | Candida albicans. Itching is a common symptom. |
| During pregnancy vaginal discharge can get | | | | At the time of menstruation regularly remove |
| heavier. Sexual intercourse is another prime time | | | | soiled tampons. Tampons swell and fester if left |
| where discharge is expected to increase, sexual | | | | to long inside the vagina. The thrush infection is |
| pleasures causing excitement for the female can | | | | easily treated. If you notice your vaginal discharge |
| also cause generous amounts of vaginal discharge, | | | | is thick white and causing you to itch - then there |
| this happens because two glands near the vaginal | | | | is a strong possibility that you have thrush, |
| opening secrete additional slippery mucus, which | | | | however a definite prognosis can only be |
| acts as a lubricant for intercourse. Do not be | | | | sanctioned by your doctor. |