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Vaginal Discharge

Is this your symptom?

Normal Vaginal Discharge
May be clear or white, thin or thick
It does not smell and there is no itching
Abnormal Vaginal Discharge
Yellow or green (most often from an infection)
Smells bad (most often from an infection)
White, itchy, cottage cheese-like, and does not smell (often caused by a yeast infection)

Some Basics...

It is normal for women to have some vaginal discharge. A small amount of milky-white or clear and non-smelling discharge is normal. This discharge helps keep the genitals healthy and clean.
Abnormal discharge is a very common complaint among women. Changes in color, odor, and amount may mean there is a more serious problem.

Causes of Abnormal Vaginal Discharge

Vaginitis: this is a term that means "vaginal inflammation." It often causes vaginal discharge and itching. It may happen from chemical irritation. This may be from too much douching or over-use of yeast medicines. It may also be caused by infection, like:
- Candidiasis (thick, white, cottage cheese-like, discharge that does not smell)
- Trichomonas (foamy, yellow-green foul-smelling discharge)
- Bacterial vaginosis (white-gray discharge, fishy odor).
Vaginal Foreign Bodies (FB): these must be removed to stop infection. A common FB can be a forgotten tampon. Sometimes, FBs are not found until a woman sees her doctor.
Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI): these may cause a new or not normal vaginal discharge. They may also cause pain with passing urine, pelvic pain, and bleeding.

Warning!

All women of childbearing age should consider the possibility that they might be pregnant.
In the second half of pregnancy, increasing discharge can be a sign of early labor.

When to Call for Vaginal Discharge

When to Call for Vaginal Discharge
Call Doctor or Seek Care Now Yellow, green, or gray discharge and fever Genital area looks infected (spreading redness or draining sore) and fever You feel weak or very sick You think you need to be seen, and the problem is urgent	Contact Doctor Within 24 Hours Stomach pains come and go (cramps), and last more than 24 hours Genital area looks infected (spreading redness or draining sore) Rash with painful tiny water blisters You think you need to be seen, but the problem is not urgent Contact Doctor During Office Hours Symptoms of a yeast infection (white, thick, cottage-cheese-like, itchy discharge) and you have not seen a doctor for this in the past Home yeast infection treatment for more than 3 days and you are not better Yellow, green, or gray vaginal discharge Bad smelling vaginal discharge Have diabetes Have a weak immune system (HIV, cancer chemo, long-term steroid use, splenectomy) Pain with sex You are worried you might have an STI Pregnant You have other questions or concerns	Self Care at Home Symptoms that are like a past yeast infection (white, thick, cottage-cheese-like, itchy discharge) Normal discharge

Call Doctor or Seek Care Now

Yellow, green, or gray discharge and fever
Genital area looks infected (spreading redness or draining sore) and fever
You feel weak or very sick
You think you need to be seen, and the problem is urgent

Contact Doctor Within 24 Hours

Stomach pains come and go (cramps), and last more than 24 hours
Genital area looks infected (spreading redness or draining sore)
Rash with painful tiny water blisters
You think you need to be seen, but the problem is not urgent

Contact Doctor During Office Hours

Symptoms of a yeast infection (white, thick, cottage-cheese-like, itchy discharge) and you have not seen a doctor for this in the past
Home yeast infection treatment for more than 3 days and you are not better
Yellow, green, or gray vaginal discharge
Bad smelling vaginal discharge
Have diabetes
Have a weak immune system (HIV, cancer chemo, long-term steroid use, splenectomy)
Pain with sex
You are worried you might have an STI
Pregnant
You have other questions or concerns

Self Care at Home

Symptoms that are like a past yeast infection (white, thick, cottage-cheese-like, itchy discharge)
Normal discharge

Care Advice for Normal Vaginal Discharge or Yeast Infection

What You Should Know:
- It is normal for women to have some vaginal discharge. A small amount of milky-white or clear and non-smelling discharge is normal. This discharge helps keep the genitals healthy and clean.
- Yeast infections can cause abnormal vaginal discharge.
- You can treat yeast infections at home.
- Here is some care advice that should help.
Pregnancy Test, When in Doubt:
- If there is a chance that you might be pregnant, use a urine pregnancy test.
- You can buy a pregnancy test at the drugstore.
- It works best first thing in the morning.
- Follow all package instructions.
Antifungal Medication: There are many over-the-counter (OTC) drugs to treat yeast infections.
- Sold in the United States: Femstat-3, miconazole (Monistat-3), clotrimazole (Gyne-Lotrimin-3, Mycelex-7), and butoconazole (Femstat-3).
- Sold in Canada: miconazole (Monistat-3) and clotrimazole (Canesten-3).
- If you are pregnant, talk to your doctor before using these.
- Do not use yeast medication during the 24 hours before seeing a doctor. It may change the results of an exam.
- Read the instructions and warnings on the package insert of all medicines you take.
Genital Hygiene:
- Keep your genital area clean and dry.
- Wash daily.
- Wipe from front to back after going to the bathroom.
- Wear underwear that is all cotton or has a cotton crotch.
- Do not douche.
- Do not use scented soaps or feminine products.
Call Your Doctor If:
- Pregnancy test is positive
- You have trouble with the at-home test
- Not better after treating yourself for a yeast infection
- You think you need to be seen
- You get worse

And remember, contact your doctor if you develop any of the 'Call Your Doctor' symptoms.

Disclaimer: this health information is for educational purposes only. You, the reader, assume full responsibility for how you choose to use it.

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