VAGINAL DISCHARGE: MAJIMAJI UKENI...KWANINI UTESEKE

Vaginal discharge is a term given to biological fluids contained within or expelled from the vagina.This serves an important housekeeping function in the female reproductive system. Fluid made by glands inside the vagina and cervix carries away dead cells and bacteria. This keeps the vagina clean and helps prevent infection.

Most of the time, vaginal discharge is perfectly normal. The amount can vary, as can odor and hue (its color can range from clear to a milky white-ish), depending on the time in your menstrual cycle. For example, there will be more discharge if you are ovulating, breastfeeding, or are sexually aroused. The smell may be different if you are pregnant or you haven't been diligent about your personal hygiene. None of those changes is cause for alarm

.However, if the color, smell, or consistency seems significantly unusual, especially if it accompanied by vaginal itching or burning, you could be noticing an infection or other condition.

Any change in the vagina's balance of normal bacteria can affect the smell, color, or discharge texture.

These are a few of the things that can upset that balance:

   Antibiotic or steroid use

  Bacterial vaginosis, a bacterial infection more common in pregnant women or women who have multiple    sexual partners

 Birth control pills

 Cervical cancer

 Chlamydia or gonorrhea (STDs), sexually transmitted infections

 Diabetes

 Douches, scented soaps or lotions, bubble bath

 Pelvic infection after surgery

 Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)

Trichomoniasis, a parasitic infection typically contracted and caused by having unprotected sex

Vaginal atrophy, the thinning and drying out of the vaginal walls during menopause

Vaginitis, irritation in or around the vagina

Yeast infections

Types of Abnormal Discharge and Their Possible Causes

ype of Discharge	What It Might Mean	Other Symptoms
Bloody or brown	Irregular menstrual cycles, or less often, cervical or endometrial cancer	Abnormal vaginal bleeding, pelvic pain
Cloudy or yellow	Gonorrhea	Bleeding between periods, urinary incontinence
Frothy, yellow or greenish with a bad smell	Trichomoniasis	Pain and itching while urinating
Pink	Shedding of the uterine lining after childbirth (lochia)
Thick, white, cheesy	Yeast infection	Swelling and pain around the vulva, itching, painful sexual intercourse
White, gray, or yellow with fishy odor	Bacterial vaginosis	Itching or burning, redness and swelling of the vagina or vulva

Treatment depends on the cause

Here are some tips for preventing vaginal infections that can lead to abnormal discharge:

• Keep the vagina clean by washing regularly with a gentle, mild soap and warm water.
• Never use scented soaps and feminine products or douche. Also avoid feminine sprays and bubble baths.
• After going to the bathroom, always wipe from front to back to prevent bacteria from getting into the vagina and causing an infection.
• Wear 100% cotton underpants, and avoid overly tight clothing