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Vaginal Discharge

Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors

Vaginal discharge is a fluid coming from the vagina.

What is going on in the body?

The vagina normally discharges a small mount of fluid that is clear, cloudy, or whitish. There is usually more discharge during exercise or sexual foreplay. A healthy vagina keeps a balance of many bacterial and fungal organisms.

Many factors can affect the delicate balance of organisms within the vagina. These include:

antibiotics

changes in estrogen levels that occur during menopause, breastfeeding, and pregnancy

douching

sexual intercourse

sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)

Vaginitis, a swelling and redness in the vagina, may be caused by mental stress, poor hygiene, and irritants such as:

spermicides in foams, jellies, and creams

condoms and diaphragms

feminine hygiene products, such as perfumed sprays and powders

nonabsorbent clothing, such as nylon pantyhose

tampons

One third of all women have symptoms of abnormal vaginal discharge at some point during their lives.

What are the causes and risks of the condition?

The causes of vaginal discharge include:

Candida albicans,\ \Candida tropicalis,\ \Candida glabrata,\ and \Candida parapsilosis.\ ',CAPTION,'Vaginal Yeast Infection');" onmouseout="return nd();">yeast infection, caused by the Candida fungus

bacterial vaginosis, caused by a change in the normal bacteria in the vagina

trichomonas vaginitis, caused by a parasite that is spread through sex

atrophic vaginitis, an irritation of the vagina that causes dryness or burning

Other possible causes of vaginitis include:

a foreign body in the vagina, such as a forgotten tampon or intrauterine device (IUD)

Neisseria gonorrhoeae\ bacteria. The infection is usually acquired through sexual contact. ',CAPTION,'Gonorrhea in Females');" onmouseout="return nd();">gonorrhea

genital herpes

Chlamydia trachomatis\. Sexually transmitted disease refers to any contagious disease transmitted from one person to another during sexual contact. In women, the infection usually occurs in the urinary tract, pelvis, or cervix. The cervix is the opening between the vagina and the uterus. ',CAPTION,'Chlamydia Infection in Females');" onmouseout="return nd();">chlamydia

cervicitis

pinworms

human papillomavirus (HPV)

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