Vaginal discharge odor: common causes and preventions
February 3, 2010
Vaginal discharge is the usual secretion from vagina and it is almost odorless in normal condition of health Vaginal discharge may vary in three common aspects like consistency, color, and smell in abnormal conditions.
While the color of vaginal discharge gets changed it becomes smelly and colored like cloudy or yellowish or greenish under certain adverse physical conditions. Therefore we can safely conclude that sudden change in vaginal discharge odor is a clear indication of underlying health problems in an individual.
There are certain physical conditions which can trigger abnormal and smelly vaginal discharge.
Atrophic Vaginitis is observed with women in their menopausal phase due to significant low level of estrogen.
Bacterial vaginitis is caused due to sudden increase in vaginal bacterial outgrowth resulting in increased vaginal discharge with foul smell. The intensity of the problem increases after sexual intercourse; however, it is not a sexually transmitted disease.
Cervical or vaginal cancer may introduce the problem of vaginal discharge odor in the affected patients.
The infection of Chlamydia triggers the problem of abnormal vaginal discharge. It is a sexually transmitted disease and requires immediate medical intervention.
Other than this STD, gonorrhea and some other type of sexual diseases, for example Trichomoniasis, may result in vaginal discharge odor, which is unusual and often accompanied by burning sensation in vagina.
Vaginal discharge odor is also observed against infection of candida fungus; this is popularly known as vaginal yeast infection. Infected patients may experience foul smell and unusual yellowish or greenish color in vaginal discharge.
The discomfort of vaginal discharge odor is quite irritating; however, it is not a disease but a symptom of certain infections and it is treatable. While medication and cures the infection it is necessary also to avail some self-care processes also to maintain healthy condition of infected vagina.
Self-care treatments like cleansing and maintenance of dryness in vaginal area ensure better prevention from vaginal infections. Unless there is any vaginal infection, vaginal discharge odor is not observed.
Douching is not healthy process for vaginal cleaning as it destroys healthy bacteria from the vaginal lining and spoils the natural resistance of vagina against external infections.
Regular consumption of yogurt takes care of good health of vagina and restricts the problem of vaginal discharge odor. Use of cotton undergarment, condom for sexual intercourse, and avoidance of tight underpants are recommended for vaginal protection from infections. Use of sanitary pad instead of tampon may prevent vaginal infection and vaginal discharge odor as well.
Sexually transmitted diseases are to be treated till complete recovery. It is recommended to avail treatments for sexual partners also to stop recurrence of the infection.
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