Vaginal discharge is a phenomenon characteristic of any healthy woman. Throughout life, their color and consistency changes repeatedly under the influence of many factors, such as sexual activity or the state of health of the woman. This is not surprising, since the main function of mucus is to cleanse the genital tract and its natural protection from all kinds of infections.
Under normal conditions, the discharge has a tint close to white or yellowish. They are not plentiful and do not emit any odor. But white curd discharge in women, accompanied by itching and other signs of discomfort, is a reason for an immediate visit to the doctor.
Most likely, the cause of the pathology is vaginal candidiasis, better known as thrush. What are the causes of the development of the disease and how to treat curdled discharge in women?
What is the norm
Under normal conditions, a woman's reproductive system is constantly cleansed to prevent the entry of various pathogenic bacteria into it. This is how vaginal discharge appears.
The nature of the secretion depends on many factors: the age of the woman herself, the level of her sexual activity, the state of hormonal balance and other equally important conditions.
There are criteria that help distinguish normal from pathology. Discharge can be considered absolutely normal if:
- they have a slightly viscous, creamy or liquid consistency;
- their color is transparent or whitish;
- there are not many of them - up to 1-2 teaspoons during the day;
- they are devoid of a sharp unpleasant odor;
- there is no discomfort, pain, burning, itching or other symptoms of damage to the mucous membrane.
When else should you contact a gynecologist?
Some women believe that green thrush is a variant of the norm, or at least not a very serious deviation. In fact, this is, firstly, not thrush, but a disease caused not by fungi, but by another pathogenic microflora. For example, it could be gonorrhea or chlamydia. Secondly, such a phenomenon cannot exactly be called normal. If brown or green discharge appears, you should immediately consult a doctor.
Thus, you should see a gynecologist if you have the following symptoms:
- Foamy or curdled vaginal discharge.
- A sharp increase in the amount of discharge (more than 1 tsp per day).
- Brown vaginal discharge in the middle of the monthly cycle.
- Changes in the nature or color of the discharge (they become yellow, gray, green, brown). It should be especially alarming if such changes occurred immediately after unprotected sexual intercourse (however, it all depends on the incubation period of the infection, sometimes it appears the very next day, sometimes this happens only after a week).
- The appearance of additional symptoms, including fever, discomfort in the vagina, even if the woman is just sitting with her legs crossed, pain in the lower abdomen.
The doctor must conduct a full examination. If there is an inflammatory process, the doctor will not only do a smear on the flora and bacterial culture, but also perform a colposcopy to check for erosion of the cervix. This is especially true if there is pink, cheesy discharge.
In addition, an ultrasound examination can be performed (sometimes it is even done transvaginally, using a special sensor). This allows you to assess the condition of the appendages and identify inflammatory diseases. As a rule, an ultrasound is prescribed if menstrual irregularities are added to other symptoms. Without all the procedures described above, the doctor simply will not be able to prescribe the correct treatment.
Features of the female body
In fact, the color, quantity and nature of vaginal secretion may vary slightly depending on the phase of the monthly cycle. For example, closer to its middle there may be much more discharge than usual.
Among other things, profuse leucorrhoea can appear in a woman against the background of:
- sexual arousal;
- breastfeeding;
- sudden climate change;
- bearing a child;
- strong emotional stress.
Now you know what the norm is. But often women are faced with such an unpleasant phenomenon as odorless, cheesy discharge. This phenomenon can alarm any representative of the fair sex, especially if she is expecting a child.
What is candidiasis, features of the disease
Genital candidiasis is considered one of the most common gynecological ailments: according to medical statistics, about 75% of the fairer sex have experienced its manifestations during the reproductive period at least once in their lives.
The causative agent of genital candidiasis or thrush is fungi of the genus Candida - yeast-like microorganisms that are normally part of the natural microflora of the epithelial tissues of the female genital organs. The development of the disease occurs as a result of the accelerated reproduction of these fungi and their disruption of the normal, natural balance of the environment of the reproductive tract.
What you need to know
It turns out that cheesy discharge in women without odor and other unpleasant symptoms can also be a variant of the norm. They can be a consequence of some sudden changes in the body or severe stress. But it also happens that such discharge turns out to be the first harbinger of a rather dangerous disease, the causative agents of which can be various bacteria and infections.
So how do you understand when leucorrhoea is normal and when it is a sign of illness? To do this, you need to know some features and types of discharge.
Treatment
The time for a visit to the doctor has been determined, what can a woman do to reduce symptoms, improve well-being, and what should she remember when visiting a pharmacy?
- The use of systemic antifungal drugs should be carried out under the supervision of a physician. You cannot independently select and take oral tablets (Diflucan (Fluconazole), Econazole, Clotrimazole and their analogs) until the extent and cause of the disease are diagnosed. Thrush may be a marker of the presence of a more serious infection. The sexual partner is also subject to treatment. Candidiasis is not considered a sexually transmitted infection, but men who are carriers of fungi often have inflammation of the glans penis, which provokes relapses of the disease in women.
- The use of suppositories, topical creams, and vaginal tablets with an antimycotic effect gives good results in the acute form of candidiasis only, without concomitant infections. Carriage and chronic forms of thrush cannot be treated with topical agents only.
- Curdled discharge in women and itching can be relieved with topical solutions. The drug Tantum Rose has proven itself to be excellent. The effect and noticeable relief of inflammation symptoms occurs 20 minutes after introducing the solution into the vagina.
- Combined drugs (Poliginax, Neo-Penotran, Klion-D, Terzhinan, Livarol) are effective when cheesy discharge in women is accompanied by a fishy odor and a yellowish color, which indicates a concomitant bacterial infection. But at the same time, the clinical picture of the disease is disrupted, and in the case of a dangerous pathogen, its diagnosis can be difficult or give a false negative result.
- Suppressing the growth of microorganisms using broad-spectrum antibacterial agents also affects colonies of beneficial lactobacilli. It is important not to create sterility, but to promote the normalization of microflora. Medicines containing dried cultures of lacto and bifidobacteria are produced from strains taken from their intestines. They take root in the vagina reluctantly. Therefore, it is much more effective to create favorable conditions for the growth of your own species of lactobacilli. For this purpose, an effective drug Vaginorm-S with ascorbic acid has been created.
Causes of cheesy, odorless discharge in women
Such vaginal secretion can occur due to overly active development of microflora and hormonal disorders. Most often, the initial causes of this phenomenon lie in the following factors:
- weakened immune system;
- long-term use of antibiotics;
- hormonal imbalances;
- pathologies in the functioning of the endocrine system;
- gynecological defects;
- sudden weight loss;
- various injuries;
- skin diseases;
- change of sexual partner;
- prolonged use of hormonal drugs;
- ailments of the digestive tract;
- wearing synthetic or too tight underwear;
- neglect of hygiene rules;
- excessive consumption of spicy, fried, fatty, sweet, alcohol and coffee.
If a woman’s cheesy, odorless discharge is caused by such problems, then it will go away on its own, without any treatment. But unfortunately, such an optimistic scenario unfolds quite rarely. Much more often, the causes of strange discharge are hidden much deeper and turn out to be associated with some kind of disease. If this is the case, a woman may need the help of specialized specialists: a gastroenterologist, urologist, dermatologist, gynecologist, venereologist or endocrinologist.
Candidiasis: curdled white discharge without odor or itching
Normally, every woman has Candida fungi present in the vagina and form a natural microflora, while the body itself regulates their number.
Under certain circumstances, the colony begins to actively grow, which leads to the formation of thrush and the appearance of a cheesy discharge with a sour odor.
The active growth of fungi can be provoked by:
- decreased immunity due to colds and/or infectious diseases;
- taking antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs;
- dermatitis in the intimate area;
- long-term wearing of synthetic underwear;
- changes in hormonal levels;
- a sharp change in body weight up or down.
Associated symptoms
Changes in the consistency of discharge and itching are not the only problems that a woman faces during thrush. The following symptoms are often observed:
- burning in the perineal area;
- painful and frequent urination;
- pain during intercourse;
- very copious discharge, which gradually turns from white to yellowish and an unpleasant odor appears.
Treatment for thrush
As a rule, when the provoking factors are eliminated, the symptoms of thrush go away without requiring additional treatment or medication.
In some cases, you can douche - 1 tbsp per liter of cool boiled water. salt and 2 tbsp. soda, but this is at the discretion of the woman herself.
In advanced cases, when the immune system is unable to inhibit the activity of fungi, adequate therapy with antifungal drugs is necessary:
- Clotrimazole. Vaginal tablets are prescribed for the treatment of genital infections caused by yeast-like fungi and genital superinfections. Suppositories are inserted deep into the vagina for 6 days daily; suppositories cannot be inserted during menstruation. Along with the suppositories, the doctor may prescribe Clotrimazole ointment to treat the intimate area.
- Fluconazole (Diflucan). One capsule of the drug 150 mg once a day, regardless of food, is washed down with plenty of water. The second capsule is taken only if the thrush has not gone away. If the cause of candidiasis is treatment with antibiotics, take 2 capsules 3 days apart, regardless of the presence/absence of symptoms of thrush.
- Polygynax. For 12 days, 1 capsule is administered deep into the vagina in the evening before bed. Prevention - 6 days. If one or more doses are missed, treatment is resumed at the usual dose.
Diet
In order for the cottage cheese-like discharge and severe itching to stop as soon as possible, along with the patient’s medications, a hypoallergenic table is recommended, where the following products are excluded:
- chocolate;
- sweet;
- fat;
- salty and spicy;
- alcohol;
- smoked meats
White, cheesy discharge in women without odor
This is a classic manifestation of thrush, which is familiar to many representatives of the fairer sex, which doctors call candidiasis. In this case, the cause of cheesy discharge in a woman is the activity of opportunistic fungi of the genus Candida. They populate the vaginal microflora under normal conditions all their lives, but in case of any disruptions in the functioning of the immune system, they begin to actively reproduce. Gradually, the mucous membrane becomes inflamed, which entails many unpleasant symptoms, including odorless, white, curd-like discharge.
Women who often suffer from thrush:
- performing heavy physical work;
- have experienced severe stress;
- having chronic diseases;
- taking antibiotics for a long time;
- using birth control pills;
- bearing a child;
- exhausting themselves with strict diets.
The pathology is characterized by the appearance of white curd discharge, discomfort, itching in the vaginal area, as well as pain during urination, washing and sexual intercourse. Often patients also complain of an unpleasant sour odor. Much less often, against the background of thrush, a woman develops a curd-like discharge of brown or pink color. This symptom means the presence of concomitant diseases.
Causes of white plaque
There are several groups of factors influencing the appearance of discharge. Some of them are the body’s natural reaction to hormonal changes. These are harmless causes that go away on their own. Another group is associated with female diseases or diseases that are sexually transmitted.
Common natural causes include the following:
- Pregnancy - in the first time (especially in the 1st trimester), the volume of discharge in women significantly increases. This directly depends on hormonal changes, with a large release of progesterone. The body weakens the immune system so as not to reject the fetus. The unborn child is a foreign object in the uterine cavity, so it must be protected.
- Adolescence – during puberty, a girl’s body undergoes restructuring. This occurs from 11 to 18 years of age. At this time, the microflora of the vagina is disrupted, often a white coating forms between the labia and on them. After hormonal changes, the microflora becomes normal and the amount of whitish discharge returns to normal.
- Changes in microflora after sexual activity - when a girl begins sexual relations, at first the body undergoes changes. The fact is that the female microflora of the external organs comes into contact with foreign microflora. This leads to the appearance of a white coating. This condition goes away on its own, so there is no need to worry about it.
- The most common natural cause is the accumulation of smegma. This term refers to a mixture of secretion secreted by the sebaceous glands of the labia, dead epithelial cells of the mucous membrane and lubricant (it is necessary to moisturize the vagina). If smegma accumulates in large quantities, this indicates insufficient personal hygiene. If you rarely wash, the discharge may have a sour smell.
Smegma is a normal phenomenon; a white coating can be noticed even in girls of preschool age. In order to get rid of it, it is enough to wash your baby regularly. Twice a day will be enough.
Discharge in a newborn baby is a natural reaction of the body. The child adapts to unusual conditions. Discharge on the labia can be not only white, but also pink-brown. This symptom will subside 2 to 3 weeks after birth. The baby needs to be bathed 1-2 times a day, but you should not remove all the smegma from the child. It protects the genitals by preparing them for the environment.
White plaque on the labia may appear due to vitamin deficiency. With a lack of vitamins A, PP and E in women, the microflora in the vagina changes.
Yellow discharge
Such discharge appears for other reasons. In some cases, they indicate infection by pathogenic bacteria in the uterus, fallopian tubes or ovaries. An acute pathological process is characterized by a pronounced clinical picture. Abundant yellow, curd-like, odorless discharge in a woman is accompanied by:
- increased body temperature up to 40 degrees;
- pain syndrome in the lower abdomen;
- general malaise, weakness, apathy;
- fever or chills.
It is noteworthy that after intimacy, the discharge can become abundant, and the discomfort can become even stronger.
Yellow, curdled discharge with an unpleasant odor, which is accompanied by itching or burning in the vagina, are common signs of gonorrhea and other sexually transmitted pathologies. The main route of transmission of this dangerous disease is sexual, but infection can also occur through non-traditional types of sex.
Yellow discharge is also characteristic of other diseases. They can be differentiated by specific symptoms:
- Vaginitis is accompanied not only by cheesy discharge, but also by itching, burning, a pungent odor, and pain during sex.
- Urethritis is accompanied by itchy, burning pain in the urethra, cheesy yellow discharge, and difficulty in emptying.
- Vulvitis is characterized by itching and burning in the perineum, swelling of the vulva.
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, multiplies 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).
Curdled discharge is a pathological discharge that occurs as a result of sexually transmitted infections. May vary depending on the type of pathogen.
Types of curdled discharge
1) White cheesy discharge.
They arise due to the growth of fungus on the weakened microflora of the vaginal mucosa. This disease is called candidiasis (For more information about the disease, see the article “”), the causative agent is a fungus of the genus Candida. Popularly it sounds like “thrush”.
Symptoms:
The discharge has a sour milky smell. They look like cottage cheese flakes. Among other things, a woman may be bothered by discomfort in the genital area.
Causes of thrush:
- Decreased immune defense of the genital mucosa or the entire body as a whole
- Heavy physical activity
- Stress
- Pregnancy
- Excess weight or, conversely, excessive thinness
- Avitaminosis
- Frequent use of tampons
- Inadequate genital hygiene
- Promiscuity
- Long-term use of contraceptives
This is not a sexually transmitted disease. In order to become infected, it is not necessary to have sexual intercourse with an infected partner. The infection develops as a result of a poor protective response of the immune system to the appearance of a fungus.
Diagnosis of the disease or how to determine that it is candidiasis:
In order to determine the type of fungus, a smear is taken from the woman’s vagina. This method allows you to determine which medications will effectively treat a specific case of the disease. When contacting an antenatal clinic, a gynecologist can also make a diagnosis based on examination data.
Treatment principles:
The main direction in the treatment of candidiasis is the elimination of disorders caused by insufficient protective function of the immune system. For example, dysbiosis due to long-term use of antibiotics.
Groups of drugs used in the treatment of thrush:
- Antifungal drugs. Depending on the type of fungus, the necessary drug against the causative agent of the disease is selected. For example: orungal, nizoral, clotrimazole, etc. they can be in the form of tablets or ointments. Only a doctor can prescribe the drug and the exact dosage based on the examination.
- The sexual partner of the sick woman is also treated. For two weeks it is strictly forbidden to have any sexual intercourse with him.
- For local treatment, suppositories, ointments and creams containing an antifungal component are used. They are used at night, after which strict rest for 30 minutes is required.
- Taking biological products to restore the microflora of the vagina, and also, if necessary, the intestines. The most popular of them are such drugs as: bifidumbacterin, hilak-forte, linex, acipol.
2)
Yellowish, cheesy discharge
appears as a result of the infectious process of sexually transmitted infections. Most often they occur in the acute stage of gonorrhea.
Symptoms:
They are odorless and the discharge becomes larger after intimacy. They are accompanied by pain in the lower abdomen, discomfort and general poor health. In this pathological condition, a sharp increase in temperature is possible, which persists throughout the acute period.
Reasons for the appearance of yellow curdled discharge:
- . This pathological condition is accompanied by an infection, which results in discharge of this nature.
- Promiscuity
- An allergic reaction to the intimate gels used can also affect the appearance of yellow discharge
Diagnostic methods:
- PCR is used to determine the type of pathogen of a given disease and its quantity.
- Bacterial sowing Allows you to determine which group of antibiotics should be used for treatment.
Due to the fact that this disease has serious complications, it must be treated correctly and in a timely manner. That is why these two methods are used in conjunction with each other.
Treatment:
Treatment begins immediately, without waiting for examination results. This is necessary to prevent complications.
- Among the medications used, antibiotics are used, which ones are decided by the doctor.
- For severe itching, ointments, creams, and suppositories are used.
- Normalization of urination acts
3)
Green, cheesy discharge
indicates that the woman has a purulent infection in the genital area. Treatment is carried out in a hospital setting, as it requires serious treatment, with all necessary diagnostic measures. The woman must be under 24-hour medical supervision.
Prevention of curdled discharge in women
- It is necessary to observe the rules of personal hygiene. Use neutral care products specially created for intimate hygiene for sensitive parts of the body.
- Have a choosy sex life
- Monitor the general condition of your body, especially the balance of healthy microflora. To do this, drink 1 glass of fermented milk products in the evening before or take a course of prebiotics
- Visit your gynecologist once every 6 months
- Use underwear made from natural fabrics.
The main thing is to clearly understand that only a doctor can make a final diagnosis. Self-medication can lead to such serious consequences as:
- Infertility
- Transition of the disease to the chronic stage
The surface of the vagina and cervix is covered with a mucous membrane, which constantly produces a secretion that serves for hydration and self-cleaning. As a rule, it is odorless, transparent or cloudy, slimy. By the nature and appearance of the discharge and its quantity, one can indirectly judge the health of the female genital organs.
A cultural study of healthy women and those with pronounced clinical manifestations of the infectious process reveals the same microflora. This confirms that the disease develops only with a quantitative shift in strains of certain microorganisms in the vagina. The exception is dangerous pathogens of sexually transmitted diseases, which normally should not be in the body.
Thus, the growth of fungi, under the influence of some unfavorable factors, often causes cheesy discharge and vaginal itching.
The following factors provoke a decrease in the number of lactobacilli:
- pregnancy, menopause or other hormonal changes;
- mechanical effects - intrauterine device, tampons, diaphragms, pessaries;
- tight synthetic clothing;
- first sexual intercourse;
- spermicides;
- frequent douching or vaginal douches;
- diabetes;
- taking antibiotics, corticosteroids, oral contraceptives;
- decreased immune defense reactions;
- sexually transmitted infections;
- oral or anal sex also contributes to the colonization of the vagina with unusual microflora.
Green cheesy discharge
This is one of the symptoms of purulent inflammation of the reproductive system. Often this sign indicates the presence of infection in the reproductive organs. The causes of curdled discharge in this case are the following factors:
- metabolic disorders;
- hormonal abnormalities;
- deficiency of microelements and vitamins;
- intestinal dysbiosis;
- the presence of chronic inflammation in the reproductive system.
If a woman has an infectious disease, she may also complain:
- for pain in the lower abdomen;
- discomfort during intimacy;
- burning and stinging during urination.
Sexually transmitted infections
Unfortunately, changes in the nature of vaginal leucorrhoea may not always indicate only the presence of a bacterial fungus. Curdled discharge and itching also occur with chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis and other sexually transmitted diseases. True, such discharge is often accompanied by other distinctive symptoms:
- increased body temperature;
- strong foul odor;
- various impurities in yellow, brown or green mucus;
- pain in the appendages, lower back and ovaries;
- rash on the genitals and inner thighs.
It is important to understand that such diseases should never be treated independently at home. No grandmother’s methods, herbs, infusions and decoctions will help here, but will only aggravate the situation. Thus, gonorrhea not diagnosed in time can lead to irreversible disorders in the organs of the woman’s reproductive system. That is why it is better not to delay a visit to the doctor, and if you have frequent sex with untested partners, you should take care of reliable contraception.
How to identify the problem
If any suspicious symptoms appear, be sure to consult a gynecologist. Even simple cheesy, odorless discharge in women is a good reason to go to the doctor. After all, they may be the first symptom of a dangerous disease.
If white curd discharge is accompanied by a pungent odor, itching, burning or pain, treatment should be started as early as possible.
Leucorrhoea itself, of course, is not a disease. This is just a symptom that is very important to take into account when determining the diagnosis.
Typically, the examination of the patient begins with collecting an anamnesis. It is especially important to determine at what time and why the cheesy discharge appeared. The woman should provide all the information:
- about unprotected sexual contacts;
- change of partner;
- personal hygiene features;
- acute and chronic diseases;
- pregnancy;
- hormonal problems.
Concomitant causes indicating the presence of candidiasis
- chronic diseases, which include thrush, infectious diseases transmitted through sexual contact;
- endometriosis;
- cervical erosion, particularly in the postpartum period;
- chlamydia;
- mycoplasmosis;
- chronic diseases of the digestive tract;
- hormonal disorders;
- weakened immunity caused by frequent use of antibiotics, unfavorable environmental conditions, and allergic diseases.
It is necessary to treat candidiasis after examination by a specialist.
Don't self-medicate
Self-medication can only lead to complications and a chronic form of the disease.
Complex therapy is usually used with the use of tablets, suppositories or creams that affect the fungus. The duration of treatment depends on the form of the disease and accompanying symptoms. In addition to the use of medications, thrush requires an integrated approach to nutrition, it is necessary to exclude irritating foods, alcohol, and coffee. During the treatment period, a special diet may be prescribed, which will also help cope with the discharge and irritating symptoms of thrush.
A curd-like discharge can also occur with a number of other diseases in women:
- Very often, with endometriosis, brown or yellow discharge of a curd-like nature may appear, indicating the presence of an inflammatory process in the genital area.
- Chlamydia is also accompanied by the appearance of copious secretions of various shapes and colors. This disease requires long-term treatment under medical supervision. Symptoms may disappear and reappear periodically.
- Infectious diseases, especially those transmitted through sexual contact, are always accompanied by brown or yellow discharge with an unpleasant, pungent odor. The most common diseases are trichomoniasis and gonorrhea. They may be the cause of these symptoms.
In all cases, if a curdled discharge or other unusual manifestations associated with the color and smell of vaginal secretion appear, you must consult a doctor who can determine the true cause of the symptoms and prescribe the necessary treatment.
Unhealthy cheesy discharge before or after menstruation, accompanied by an uncomfortable sensation or sour odor, signals a malfunction in the woman’s reproductive system. In such cases, it is important to know whether this secretion is considered normal or is a symptom of serious diseases and microflora disorders. What to do if curd-like lumps begin to appear on your laundry? What are the causes of this unpleasant phenomenon? This article will help answer these questions.
Therapy
After passing the diagnosis, the doctor will draw up a treatment plan for cheesy discharge, aimed at stopping the inflammatory process and reducing the severity of other symptoms. In this case, it is necessary to treat not individual signs of pathology, but the entire disease.
It is noteworthy that both partners should engage in therapy - this is the only way to achieve a positive result.
If a woman has a cheesy, odorless discharge similar to thrush, the doctor prescribes several groups of drugs:
- Antifungal medications in the form of vaginal suppositories, tablets, ointments and gels. The most commonly used are: Fluconazole, Clotrimazole, Nystatin, Betadine, Diflucan, Miconazole, Pimafucin.
- If thrush is accompanied by intense symptoms, oral administration of antifungal agents is additionally recommended - Mycomax, Fluconazole, Forkan, Flucostat.
- Antiseptic drugs. For complex treatment of candidiasis, gynecologists recommend regularly washing yourself using local antiseptics, for example, Citeal, Chlorhexidine, Miramistin, Furacilin.
- Immunostimulating and restorative agents. All women diagnosed with thrush are advised to have a balanced diet, take vitamins, frequent walks outside, and medications containing interferon - Anaferon and Viferon.
With well-chosen treatment tactics, the odorless and itchy cheesy discharge characteristic of candidiasis disappears in about a week.
If a woman is diagnosed with more serious inflammatory or infectious diseases, therapy involves the use of antiseptic and anti-inflammatory medications. But in this case there is no standard treatment regimen. The optimal tactics are selected depending on the diagnosis, severity of symptoms and characteristics of the body.
Treatment options
Treatment of curdled flakes is carried out under the supervision of a doctor. He selects the medication and prescribes the necessary dosages.
In the initial stages of the disease, the following drugs are highly effective:
- Clotrimazole;
- Pimafucin;
- Nystatin;
- Miconazole.
In more serious cases, Itraconazole or Fluconazole is prescribed. If infection is present, antibiotics are prescribed. Medicines for women are produced in the form of ointments, vaginal suppositories and capsules. For pregnant women, medications with a mild therapeutic effect are selected. Doctors recommend treating the disease before planning conception.
As part of the treatment, a certain diet is followed. Floury foods, carbonated drinks, spicy foods, coffee and mushrooms are excluded from the diet. Be sure to include dairy products, whole grain bread, fresh vegetables and fruits in your diet.
During the period of therapy, sexual intercourse is prohibited. Treatment is carried out by both partners. For men, forms of medications are available that are intended for topical use. After treatment, tests are repeated.
When exposed to air, the leucorrhoea turns yellowish. Therefore, the shade of discharge on underwear may vary.
Prevention
The fair sex can protect itself from pathological microorganisms by following preventive principles.
These include the following:
- wearing cotton underwear;
- control over the condition of the intestines;
- regular visits to the gynecologist;
- having one sexual partner;
- use of high-quality hygiene items (pads, towels, toilet paper);
- timely regulation of hormone levels;
- compliance with hygiene standards.
Women who work in damp areas and practice douching are at risk. Using a syringe without a doctor’s prescription can lead to disruption of the microflora of the reproductive organs.
Caution should be exercised in patients undergoing treatment with hormonal drugs or antibiotics. Violation of the treatment regimen is a provoking factor.
Alternative medicine
How to get rid of odorless cheesy discharge at home? To do this, you can use old, proven methods.
For curdled discharge, traditional medicine offers women several effective remedies:
- Regular intimate hygiene using herbal infusions. Tinctures of chamomile, calendula, celandine, St. John's wort and sage are ideal for this.
- Warm baths with soda added. For 2 liters of water you need to take a tablespoon of soda. The bath should be taken for 10-15 minutes.
- Douching with warm herbal infusions. You can use chamomile, oak tree, sage, St. John's wort, and calendula. To prepare the medicine, pour a teaspoon of the selected herb with a glass of boiling water, cover with a lid and let it brew for half an hour. Then you need to strain the broth through cheesecloth.
- Taking medicinal plants internally. You can prepare medicines from juniper, chamomile, rosemary, sage, and eucalyptus. Pour a teaspoon of herbs into a glass of hot water and let it brew. It is recommended to take the finished product twice a day for a week.
Simultaneous intake of vitamins A, E, C and the use of folk remedies will allow you to achieve complete recovery as quickly as possible.
A fine line from normal to pathological
Translucent mucous discharge occurs in every woman of reproductive age. It is this kind of leucorrhoea that is considered normal and is responsible for maintaining the acidic environment of the vagina, cleansing the walls of the cervix from various types of bacteria and dead epithelial cells. Such discharge is practically odorless; blood or yellow clots cannot be distinguished in it. It is worth noting the fact that at different stages of the menstrual cycle their different intensities are observed - they can be abundant or scanty.
But white, cheesy, odorless discharge should definitely alert you, because it most often indicates that an infectious disease is developing in the vagina - bacterial candidiasis. Popularly, candidiasis is widely known under another name - thrush, which was given precisely because of the discharge of the characteristic white vaginal clots.
Over the past 50 years, according to the Ministry of Health, the incidence of this fungal infection has increased almost 10 times. You can detect candidiasis at home, because its symptoms are hard to miss:
- First of all, this is an abundant cheesy discharge, which in the initial stages of infection may have virtually no odor or be sour.
- This is followed by severe itching in the perineum, especially at night, and burning when urinating.
- In advanced stages, a rash and characteristic red spots can be seen on the surface of the labia.
- In addition to all this, sexual intercourse with a partner also becomes extremely painful, which is why thrush is nicknamed “the destroyer of the family hearth.”
Preventing a thrush infection is no easy task. The thing is that Candida fungi, which cause infection, penetrate our body from everywhere. They can live for a long time on fruits and vegetables, in animal feed and dairy products. This is why cheesy, odorless discharge is so common during pregnancy. And this, in turn, is fraught with serious consequences for the fetus.
During childbirth, the baby can easily catch an infection and become a carrier of the fungus. Premature babies and those who are not breastfed are especially at risk. Therefore, before becoming pregnant, a woman should undergo a full examination by a gynecologist.
Why does discharge appear?
1.1. Hormonal changes
In women, it is impossible to distinguish a period when the hormonal background is at relative rest. During reproductive age, there is a natural cyclic fluctuation in the content of estrogen, progesterone and other sex hormones. Therefore, they can become a natural provocateur of candidiasis.
Pregnancy is a hormonal storm. The concentration of progesterone increases constantly, which leads to a decrease in local immunity. This is a necessary measure that is aimed at reducing uterine contractility and protecting the fetus, which consists of 50% foreign genetic material. It is during this period that often.
1.2. Endocrine pathologies
Diabetes mellitus, hyper- and hypothyroidism, dyshormonal conditions are also accompanied by impaired local immunity. Diabetes is called one of the main diseases of modern society; candidiasis of the mucous membranes and skin is almost always accompanied by it.
Not only the vaginal mucosa is affected, but also the skin under the breasts, in the armpits, and in the groin area. In such patients, candidiasis is difficult to treat; disease control is directly related to blood glucose levels.
1.3. Poor personal hygiene
Lifestyle largely determines the state of health, therefore, if white, opaque discharge, reminiscent of cottage cheese, appears, it is necessary to reconsider approaches to personal hygiene:
- 1 Avoid scented sanitary pads.
- 2 Wear underwear made from natural cotton fabrics that allow the body to “breathe.”
- 3 Do not use scented cosmetics for washing.
- 4 There is evidence that frequent epilation of the intimate area also increases the risk of thrush (5).
- 5 Stop douching.
The type of underwear also matters. Many women consider thongs suitable for constant wear. However, wearing panties of this type is often accompanied by excessive friction, which contributes to the introduction of infection from the perianal area into the vagina.
In some cases, the use of contraceptives leads to thrush. The cause may be an intrauterine device, spermicides, and according to some reports, OK (tablets).
Additional symptoms
White cheesy discharge does not appear in isolation. They are combined with additional symptoms that can intensify and cause severe discomfort:
- 1, which usually appear before the first discharge. Signs are observed not only in the vagina, but also in the vulva and urethra. Less commonly, the skin of the perineum is also involved in the process.
- 2 provokes dyspareunia - painful sensations during sexual intercourse.
- 3 Swelling of the vulva, redness.
- 4 Vaginal discharge at the beginning of the disease is insignificant, white, gradually intensifies and becomes abundant, with small grains, lumps and flakes, in the form of cottage cheese. They are odorless and sometimes have a sour aroma.
Why does curdled discharge contain blood and turn yellow?
The curdled discharge may contain streaks of blood on the 15th day of the cycle, when ovulation occurs.
This is not a pathology.
However, if blood impurities are constantly present in the curdled discharge, this may indicate that a fungal infection accompanies diseases such as endometriosis, cervical erosion, adenomyosis, endometrial hyperplasia and cancer. In this case, if the symptoms are regular, it is important to consult a doctor. Endometriosis provokes the appearance of blood in the discharge.
If the discharge is yellowish, this may be a sign of the presence of other infections that are sexually transmitted. There is an unpleasant smell of rotten fish. The discharge is profuse, and antifungal medications do not work. A yellowish tint may result from the addition of infections such as:
- trichomoniasis;
- gonorrhea;
- chlamydia;
- gardnerrelez.
A small amount of blood streaks in the discharge may be normal in the first few days after the end of menstruation.