Background

This is very common. Vaginal discharge can be normal (physiological) or abnormal (pathological).
If you’re concerned, please go and see your doctor, especially if it’s accompanied by itching, burning,
pain in your pelvis or when you have sex. In the worst case, it may lead to infertility so remember:
it’s never too early or too late, to look for professional help.

Normal discharge is stimulated by female hormones; the discharge may change
if the hormone levels change because of factors including:

• puberty
• monthly menstrual cycle (always mention this to your GP)
• pregnancy
• the contraceptive pill
• HRT

Abnormal discharges are commonly due to infection and inflammation.

The most common causes are:

• candida (also known as thrush): a very common yeast infection affecting 75 percent of women at some time
• bacterial vaginosis: again very common
• sexually transmitted infection (chlamydia, gonorrhoea, trichomonas vaginalis, herpes.
• falling hormones causing drying and shrinking of the vagina (atrophy)

Less common causes include:

• retained tampon
• IUD (intra-uterine contraceptive device)
• chemical irritation
• allergic reaction e.g. to latex in condoms
• cervical eversion or polyp. A cervical eversion occurs when the cervix pouches out.

Rare causes include:

• Trauma
• Damage to bladder/rectum
• Cancer
• Scar tissue

Diagnosis

It’s important to go and see your doctor, who will ask questions about the discharge, take swabs from
your vagina, also possibly a cervical smear and/or urine test, and may refer you to hospital or specialist
STD (sexually transmitted diseases) clinic for more tests.

Treatment

Your treatment will depend upon the diagnosis. But the most important self help treatment you can do
immediately is to have immaculate hygiene, and make sure your partner does too. Always use condoms
if you have a new or casual partner, regardless of what other contraception you have.

 

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