Yellow Vaginal Discharge: 5 Causes and Treatment

Not sure why your vaginal discharge is yellowish? There are many conditions that could cause this, so listed here are 5 possible explanations.

Vaginal discharge is a naturally occurring mixture of vaginal secretions and cervical mucus. Every healthy woman produces it to a greater or lesser extent. Its color and smell vary from case to case, even though it is mostly considered normal. However, some episodes, akin to yellow vaginal discharge, may indicate an underlying condition.

It all is determined by the characteristics of the discharge. Before menstruation, some women can have yellowish discharge, as hormonal changes affect its composition. However, if that is your first time having it, you must never miss it. Today we are going to inform you all the pieces it is advisable learn about yellow vaginal discharge.

Causes of yellow vaginal discharge

As we’ve got already explained, vaginal discharge changes color and smell on account of hormonal changes. Vaginal discharge helps prevent infection, lubricate the world during intercourse, and keep the vagina clean, amongst other things.

Under normal conditions, the discharge is light in color, odorless, and should vary in viscosity. Similarly, the quantity secreted varies in intensity on account of many aspects (for instance, using contraceptives). The change is natural, so it is not at all times a cause for concern.

If there isn’t any history of color changes, it is probably going a symptom of an underlying condition. If the discharge is pale yellow, has no odor, and isn’t accompanied by other symptoms, this shouldn’t be a cause for concern. If there was a change within the smell and other symptoms appeared, it might be on account of the next reasons.

1. Candida sp. infection

Vaginal candidiasis is a fungal infection attributable to fungi Candida albicans (yeast). According to researchers, as much as 90% of all vaginal infections are attributable to this microorganism. It is so common that Harvard Health estimates that 75% of girls can have at the least one episode of their lifetime.

Symptoms include changes in the colour of vaginal discharge. Although the discharge often takes on a pale white color, it may also tackle a yellowish tint. It normally has no odor or has a really low intensity odor.

This change in vaginal discharge can also be accompanied by itching and burning within the vagina, discomfort during urination, pain or discomfort during sexual activity, inflammation of the vulva and redness. Most cases are mild and last from a couple of days to 2 weeks.

2. Pelvic inflammatory disease

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is a condition characterised by inflammation of the endometrium, fallopian tubes, or peritoneum. This generally happens when microorganisms from the vagina ascend and make their way through the uterus. Bacterial causes due to this fact explain most cases.

The Women’s Health Office I inform that as much as 5% of Americans have PID. In this condition, the modified color of the vaginal discharge is accompanied by an unpleasant odor that may turn out to be very intense. Other symptoms include:

• Pain when urinating
• Pain within the lower abdomen
• Fever
• Irregular periods
• Discomfort during sexual activity
• Abnormal uterine bleeding

This condition is definitely treatable and needs to be treated as soon as possible to avoid complications. For example, it may cause chronic pain, infertility, or problems while pregnant.

3. Chlamydia

Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) that sometimes causes no symptoms. That is why, in response to researchers, the proportion of undiagnosed women without symptoms ranges from 1.7% to 17%. Some of the symptoms you might develop include:

• Painful urination
• Abnormal vaginal discharge (in color and smell)
• Pain during sexual activity
• Bleeding between periods
• Fever and nausea (provided that the infection has spread)

If the infection isn’t treated in time, it may reach the uterus or fallopian tubes. As a consequence, you might develop PID and problems with fertility or while pregnant. Fortunately, it’s treatable, and if done in time, the results are virtually nil.

4. Trichomoniasis

Although trichomoniasis is one of the common STDs, most individuals are unaware of its symptoms. According to studies, this condition is probably the most common non-viral sexually transmitted disease on the earth. That’s right: it is a disease attributable to a parasite, not a virus.

Generally, the infection doesn’t cause symptoms, although some women may experience:

• Yellow, brown, gray or green vaginal discharge with an unpleasant odor
• Pain during sexual activity
• Painful urination
• Redness and burning of the genitals

The infection is straightforward to treat, even though it is determined by how advanced it’s. If not treated on time, it may increase your risk of contracting HIV and result in fertility problems or complications while pregnant.

5. Gonorrhea

Another common modern sexually transmitted infection is gonorrhea. According to Mayo Clinic Publication, is attributable to the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae and might affect each men and girls. In the latter case, it’s characterised by an effect on the cervix, so vaginal symptoms are common:

• Increased amount of secretion, which can turn out to be yellowish (with or without smell)
• Small amounts of non-menstrual bleeding
• Occasional pelvic pain
• Burning when urinating, especially when the urethra is involved

Several risk aspects increase the possibilities of developing this condition, which is common in lots of conditions of this kind. Two of them have unprotected sex or have multiple sexual partners.

Can yellow vaginal discharge be prevented?

Since there are so many alternative conditions that could cause yellow discharge, it is important to keep in mind that there isn’t any one-size-fits-all treatment to stop it. However, combining all these practices will help lots:

• Intimate hygiene in response to avoiding using whips and sprays, because they modify the conventional bacterial flora and pH
• Using condoms, especially with latest partners
• Avoiding other dangerous activities that increase the chance of STDs, akin to promiscuity
• Do not wear tight pants or underwear as at all times ventilate the room. In addition, underwear should preferably be fabricated from cotton.

Treatment of yellow vaginal discharge

The conditions we dropped at you’re only a choice of some causes of yellow vaginal discharge. In general, most cases are attributable to an infectious process, one which will be easily treated with antibiotics or antifungal agents. Topical creams may also be used to alleviate symptoms.

However, it’s best to go to a specialist for an accurate diagnosis. For example, using antibiotics is useless within the case of a fungal infection, while antifungal agents won’t help to stop the infectious process attributable to parasites or viruses.

The specialist may even determine the extent of the damage, to exclude or confirm possible problems with the reproductive system. It may even provide you with peace of mind knowing your treatment is within the hands of knowledgeable. If you think that that yellow vaginal discharge is a symptom of something more serious, don’t hesitate to seek the advice of a specialist.

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