WHAT IS VAGINAL DISCHARGE AND WHAT IS IT FOR? - MEDICINE - 2025

The vaginal discharge is a test in the vagina and cervix to determine if a woman has certain types of infections or check the presence of foreign organisms.

It is generally used in gynecological diagnostic procedures. A doctor or other health professional can use it to investigate for example a possible sexually transmitted disease (STD).

To perform this test, a medical professional uses a cotton swab and collects a small amount of fluid from inside the vagina. The swab is usually sealed inside a collection container for laboratory analysis.

This type of test is also used to test for organisms that are present inside the vagina. For example, a woman may have harmful or harmful bacteria in her vagina, and this test makes it possible to identify them.

It is also often helpful in identifying the presence of fungal organisms in the vagina, such as when a woman has a yeast infection.

How is vaginal discharge done?

To take a vaginal swab, a healthcare professional usually begins by washing their hands and putting on gloves.

With the patient on an exam table with her legs in stirrups, the doctor uses a device called a speculum to gently separate the walls of the vagina. This allows you to see inside the vagina, if necessary, and also makes it easier to complete the test.

When the speculum is in place and the medical professional is ready to discharge the vaginal discharge, he removes a swab from a sealed container that has kept it sterile.

The doctor then gently cleanses the walls of the vagina to obtain a sample of the fluid there, and then places the swab into a small tube. This tube is sent to a laboratory for analysis.

Diseases found in a vaginal discharge

There are a number of reasons a medical professional may perform a vaginal discharge. For example, to detect bacterial vaginosis or trichomoniasis. You can also do it to check for yeast overabundance, which may mean that a woman has a yeast infection.

Similarly, the medical professional might even do the exudate to detect the presence of harmless bacteria in the vagina or other diseases.

Candidiasis

Candidiasis is an infection caused by the Candida fungus. This fungus is associated with the sensation of intense itching, swelling and irritation.

About 3 in 4 women experience yeast infection at some point in their lives. Once you get this infection, you are more likely to get another one.

Vaginal yeast infections can be spread through sexual contact, but are not generally considered a sexually transmitted infection. Treatment for yeast infection is relatively simple, depending on its severity.

Causes

Most yeast infections are caused by a specific type of yeast called Candida albicans. These yeast infections are easy to treat.

If the patient is having recurrent yeast infections or trouble getting rid of a yeast infection with conventional treatment, then she may be dealing with a different version of Candida. A lab test can tell your doctor what type of Candida it is.

The imbalance that allows yeast overgrowth can happen due to: uncontrolled diabetes, weak immune system, poor eating habits (including a lot of sugary foods), hormonal imbalance near your menstrual cycle, stress, lack of sleep, antibiotics (decrease the amount of good bacteria in the vagina), and / or pregnancy.

Symptoms

Common symptoms are: itching, burning, pain during sex, rash, large or small amounts of vaginal discharge that is often gray-whitish and thick (although there are also times that the discharge can be watery), among others.

Treatment

Every yeast infection is different, so treatments are generally determined based on the severity of an infection.

For simple infections, treatment is usually the application of an antifungal cream, ointment, or suppository for a few days. Common antifungal medications are miconazole, butoconazole, monistat, and terconazole.

The doctor may also prescribe a single dose of oral medications, such as fluconazole. A follow-up will also be necessary.

On the other hand, for complicated infections where the candida does not respond to normal treatment, more aggressive treatment is required.

Candida is considered "complicated" when the redness is severe, and the swelling and itching lead to sores or tears in the vaginal tissue. Also if you have had more than four yeast infections in a year, if you are pregnant, if the patient is HIV positive, or has uncontrolled diabetes.

Possible treatments for severe or complicated yeast infections include creams, ointments, tablets, 14-day suppositories, two to three doses of fluconazole, long-term prescription of fluconazole, or long-term use of a topical antifungal medication. Treatment for the sexual partner is the use of condoms.

Bacterial vaginosis

Bacterial vaginosis is an alteration in the balance of bacteria within a woman's vagina. This can result in vaginal discharge or an unpleasant odor, although in many cases, it can be present without symptoms.

Causes

Doctors are not sure what causes bacterial vaginosis, but research suggests that there are some common factors in this condition, such as the use of contraceptive and intrauterine devices, and cigarette smoking.

There is essentially a collection of good and bad bacteria inside the vagina, and the good bacteria prevent the bad bacteria from overgrowing, and usually this balance is achieved and neither of them grows in abundance.

But bacterial vaginosis is characterized by an increase in certain types of bacteria, such as anaerobic bacteria, and a decrease in hydrogen peroxide-producing bacteria.

It is estimated that a third of women suffer from this infection, and the risks of contracting it (in addition to those already mentioned) is that they are sexually active, that they have recently taken antibiotics or have douched. Although these are not definitive causes, they do increase the risk of developing it.

Symptoms

Symptoms include itching, burning, painful urination, and vaginal discharge. You may notice an overgrowth of yeast which normally occurs in the vagina as a thick discharge of discharge.

Treatment

The physician should be consulted in order to obtain an accurate diagnosis and discuss possible side effects of medications to combat bacterial vaginosis.

Bacterial vaginosis is usually treated with antifungal medications, although in certain cases it clears up on its own without any medical treatment.

Women who need treatment are usually prescribed metronidazole or clindamycin, which are two types of antibiotics. Both come in the form of a pill or in the form of creams that are inserted into the vagina.

Most bacterial vaginosis infections generally subside two to three days after antibiotic treatment begins, but doctors typically advise taking or applying them for at least a week, even if symptoms stop.

Trichomonas vaginalis

Trichomonas vaginalis, or T. vaginalis, is a single-celled organism that causes trichomoniasis, a sexually transmitted and respiratory disease that affects both men and women.

Trichomoniasis is one of the most common infections in developed countries, and more than 180 million new cases are reported annually worldwide.

Most commonly it infects the vagina, but it can also infect the urinary tract and fallopian tubes, as well as structures in the airways, causing pneumonia.

Infection occurs when the pH balance of the vagina changes from acidic to slightly basic and allows Trichomonas vaginalis cells to grow.

These cells can survive for up to 24 hours in urine, semen or water, as well as in a number of materials for a few hours, which means that a person can be infected by coming into contact with the infected material.

Symptoms

Vaginal infection can cause itching and abnormal discharge. It can also cause what is known as a "strawberry cervix" or vagina, which is the result of tissue damage inflicted by Trichomonas vaginalis.

Treatment

Trichomoniasis is usually treated successfully with oral antibiotics. Once it has been diagnosed, it is important to notify current and past sexual partners to instruct them to get tested.

In addition, it is important that they seek treatment, as they may be an asymptomatic carrier capable of re-infecting new partners. If left untreated, your risk of other sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV, increases.

Preventive measures

-Good personal hygiene is important, as well as avoiding wearing tight pants or spandex

-Do not use sprays (aerosols) or scented soaps in the vaginal area. These can cause irritation.

-Practice safe sex to reduce the risk of a sexually transmitted infection. You should also be screened for sexually transmitted infections.

-If you are perimenopausal or menopausal, you may experience symptoms related to a lack of estrogen. This can also happen if the ovaries have been removed. Lack of estrogen can cause vaginal dryness and irritation.

-Regular gynecological exams are important to maintain vaginal health.

References

1. Jeanne Morrison (2015). Vaginitis Test. Healthline Media. Recovered from: healthline.com.
2. Denis Grosz (2012). Vaginal Swab. Wise Geek. Recovered from: wisegeek.org.
3. Karyn Maier (2014). Cures for Bacterial Vaginosis. Wise Geek. Recovered from: wisegeek.org.
4. Patricia Geraghty (2016). Vaginal Yeast Infection. Healthline Media. Recovered from: healthline.com.