Vaginal Discharge and When to Worry

Vaginal discharge is perhaps the most common complaint in gynecological practice. A lot of people confuse normal discharge for abnormal discharge, use medications, and end up worse, sometimes with real abnormal discharge as a consequence of wrong medication use.
From birth, up until menopause, women experience vaginal discharge. This is perfectly normal. At birth, babies may have vaginal discharge due to the withdrawal of hormones of pregnancy. The next time vaginal discharge becomes obvious is probably at the onset of puberty. This continues until the onset of menses. From then on, the discharge becomes cyclical, changing in quantity and consistency at different times of the cycle. During this period, the cyclical nature of discharge may be disrupted by pregnancy or the use of family planning pills. Usually, vaginal discharge tends to reduce significantly after cessation of menses.
Abnormal vaginal discharge can be seen in any age group. In childhood, a common cause is the presence of a foreign body in the genital tract. Some worm infestation could also cause vaginal discharge. So can poor perineal hygiene. In all such cases, sexual abuse must be ruled out. After puberty, the most common cause of vaginal discharge is infections. Vaginal discharge can occur even without sexual exposure (it may not be sexually transmitted). This is as in the case of candidiasis and bacterial vaginosis. Others may be sexually transmitted, as in the case of chlamydia and trichomoniasis. Whatever the cause, vaginal discharge is abnormal when it is excessive, malodorous, itchy, discolored, or associated with abdominal pain and fever. Failure to adequately treat vaginal infection could lead to complications like chronic pelvic pain and infertility.
Vaginal infection in pregnancy could lead to disastrous consequences like preterm birth, breakdown of episiotomy and cesarean section site wounds, and even infections in the newborn.
It is recommended to seek medical advice for any vaginal discharge you are not comfortable with. Observe good perineal hygiene including cleaning from front to back. Avoid using unorthodox medication, douching, and prolonged use of antibiotics. Ensure you comply with treatment offered by health professionals, including partner treatment for sexually transmitted infections.
Thanks for reading. I hope you find it useful. Looking forward to your questions, comments, observations, and clarifications.