Abnormal vaginal discharge. Causes, types and treatment of vaginal discharge.

The feeling of cleanliness and freshness in the genital area is an important sign of a woman’s health. Discharge from the genitals in the absence of pathologies does not have a pronounced aroma. The appearance of an unpleasant odor in the genital area is an alarming symptom.

Medical gynecologists will help you find the cause and get rid of the foul odor of vaginal discharge and prevent complications.

Causes of unpleasant odor

The content of the article

Normally, the fluid secreted by the uterine glands cleanses the vaginal canal and becomes a breeding ground for normal microflora. The basis of the vaginal microflora is Dederlein bacilli (lactobacillus) and opportunistic flora. Changes in the composition of the biocenosis lead to the development of pathologies that cause a strong odor from the vagina. By the specificity of the aroma, you can determine the type of disease.

This symptom often appears against the background of complete external well-being. When answering the question of why there is an unpleasant odor from the vagina, gynecologists cite the following reasons:

• Poor hygiene of intimate organs.
  Failure to comply with hygiene requirements leads to the movement of bacteria from the anus to the vagina. Pathogenic microflora provokes inflammation in the genitals. The process is accompanied by a bad odor and specific secretions;
• Weakening of the immune system.
  Against the background of weakened immunity, pathogenic bacteria, which are part of the natural flora of the vagina, multiply. The proliferation of harmful bacteria is accompanied by the spread of infection and odor from the intimate area;
• Hormone imbalance.
  The endocrine background of a woman affects the composition of the vaginal biocenosis. Hormonal imbalance creates favorable conditions for the growth of pathogenic microflora. This in turn provokes inflammation and pathological discharge;
• Diseases of the genital organs.
  Gynecological diseases are often accompanied by an unpleasant odor from the vagina. This is one of the main signs of infection or the development of inflammation. The most dangerous sexually transmitted diseases are syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia. Pathologies often cause complications in the form of scars on the cervix and disruption of the patency of the vaginal canal. Due to scarring of the tissues of the genital organs, problems with conception appear.

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Why does vaginal discharge smell “fishy”?

When visiting a gynecologist, women often complain of a fishy odor from the genital tract. The fishy aroma intensifies during sexual contact and the use of intimate hygiene products. Most often, this symptom is associated with the development of gardnerellosis.

The gardnerella bacterium is part of the normal microflora of the vagina. When favorable conditions are created, it begins to actively multiply, causing inflammation in the genitourinary organs. The smell appears as a result of the interaction of bacterial growth products with sperm proteins.

Optimal conditions for the development of gardnerellosis are created in the presence of the following risk factors:

• weakening of the immune system;
• changes in hormonal levels during menopause;
• frequent miscarriages, medical abortions and curettage;
• disturbance of intestinal microflora;
• failure to comply with the rules of genital hygiene;
• frequent douching;
• refusal of condoms, frequent change of partners.

A bad fishy odor is also observed with chronic thrush. The cause of this disease is the activation of fungi of the genus Candida.

Both diseases are accompanied by a change in pH balance, which also leads to the appearance of a rotten fish aroma. This symptom cannot be ignored, since diseases tend to progress.

Why does my vagina smell like onion?

When a woman notices that her private parts smell like onions, anxiety arises. This is a specific aroma that is uncharacteristic for healthy representatives of the fair sex. If there is an unpleasant onion smell coming from the vagina, the doctor will suspect active fungal growth. These microorganisms are present in the sexual microflora in limited quantities. But changes in a woman’s hormonal background contribute to the proliferation of fungal flora.

Hormonal changes are observed in the following conditions:

• pregnancy period;
• the appearance of the first menstruation;
• the onset of menopause;
• abortion;
• pathologies of the endocrine glands;
• uncontrolled use of hormonal drugs.

Exposure to stress also affects intimate microflora.

During such periods, a bad onion odor may appear from the genitals. The aroma intensifies after intimate contact. Such symptoms are a reason for an urgent consultation with a gynecologist. A specialist will help you quickly restore the vaginal biocenosis.

Why does my vagina smell sour?

Sometimes patients complain of vaginal discharge with the smell of sour milk. The genital tract is inhabited by lactobacilli, which create an acidic pH environment in the vagina. Therefore, a sour odor may appear in the intimate area as a result of the activity of lactobacilli.

Normally, the sour aroma goes away on its own 2-3 days after it appears. To remove the odor, hygiene procedures with intimate gel are used. If the sour aroma remains, you need to seek help from a gynecologist.

It is very important to pay attention to the presence of other alarming symptoms:

• burning;
• itching in the perineum;
• swelling of the labia;
• unusual discharge from the genitals;
• redness of the external genitalia.

Often the cause of a sour aroma is candidiasis, which develops as a result of the proliferation of Candida fungi. With this disease, the patient experiences a cheesy discharge.

Sexually transmitted diseases

This group includes a large group of sexually transmitted infections:

- Chlamydia is characterized by the release of secretions with a strong, foul odor. Pathogens disrupt the vaginal microflora. The disease manifests itself as pain in the sacrum and abdomen. Symptoms are accompanied by a general poor condition due to intoxication of the body. - Trichomoniasis is characterized by the release of a white, foamy fluid. An untreated infection occurs with the addition of bacteria. At the same time, the secretion changes color and becomes yellow. In addition, there is a fishy smell. — Gonorrhea is characterized by copious liquid discharge in the form of white mucus. At the stage of clot appearance, the disease is confused with candidiasis. The disease occurs with a burning sensation during urination and a purulent odor.

Important! Diseases considered to be sexually transmitted infections. Both sexual partners are subject to treatment.

Why does urine smell bad?

If a woman's perineum smells like urine, it may be due to poor hygiene. However, the true reason often lies in the psychological state of the patient. Stress, anxiety, and a woman’s internal complexes can cause nervous disorders and disrupt the functioning of the genitourinary system. Against the background of such conditions, stress urinary incontinence develops.

Urine leakage can also be caused by pelvic organ prolapse. This condition often develops during menopause due to decreased estrogen production. A lack of sex hormones causes weakening of the pelvic floor muscles and prolapse of the bladder. This pathology is more often observed in obese women.

In both cases, urine involuntarily leaks from the bladder during physical and emotional stress. Small portions of it can penetrate the vagina when coughing, sneezing, sports activities, or emotional activity. The joint work of a gynecologist and a urologist will help solve the problem.

Why does the vagina smell of semen?

After unprotected sex, the aroma of seminal fluid may remain in the genitals for several days. This is a normal condition for a healthy woman. However, the appearance of such a symptom without sexual intercourse indicates a disturbance in the composition of the microflora. This condition is not dangerous for reproductive health, but correction of the vaginal microflora is necessary.

There are cases when the aroma of semen is accompanied by irritation of the mucous membranes of the vulva and uterus. Such symptoms are a clear sign of infection. Therefore, you need to contact a gynecologist to make a diagnosis and prescribe therapy.

Yellow and green discharge

Yellow and green discharge in women clearly indicates STDs or nonspecific genital inflammation. Sexually transmitted diseases, in addition to unnatural discharge, are accompanied by itching and pain when urinating. If these symptoms appear, you should immediately consult a doctor to have your discharge analyzed. The most common sexually transmitted infections are:

• Gonorrhea. The discharge is light yellow, almost white, and is not large in volume. Their appearance is not “tied” to the cycle. A change in color from gray-white to yellow indicates the transition of the disease to the chronic stage. The infection gradually rises up the body, affecting the uterus, tubes and ovaries.
• Chlamydia. Discharge appears from the cervical canal. They have a pronounced yellow color. In addition, patients experience pain in the lower abdomen and lower back. The most reliable way to diagnose this and other sexually transmitted infections is PCR.
• Trichomoniasis. The discharge is greenish or yellowish in color. In appearance, they are easy to distinguish from the symptoms of other sexually transmitted infections, as they have an abundant foamy character. In case of contact with skin, it causes irritation.

It also happens that the discharge is a consequence of inflammatory processes in the pelvic organs. These include:

• Adnexitis and salpingitis. Inflammation affects the ovaries and fallopian tubes. Discharge is always accompanied by pain in the lower abdomen. The cause of the pathology is sexually transmitted infections or “independent” inflammation of internal organs, not caused by other diseases. Inflammation can be acute or chronic, which affects the nature of the pain. In the first case they are strong and cramping, in the second they are pulling and dull.
• Colpitis. Another name for the pathology is nonspecific vaginitis. When the vagina is inflamed, the discharge is of a different nature and varies depending on the stage of inflammation. At the initial stage they are watery and light, then they become thicker and acquire a green tint. Leukocytes give the discharge a white-yellow tint, green gives the pus, and blood gives the discharge a pinkish color.

In addition, grayish copious discharge appears with bacterial vaginosis. They acquire a yellow-green or orange color when the disease enters the chronic stage. Symptoms are especially severe immediately after sexual intercourse. Itching in the perineum occurs periodically, although it is not as intense as with other diseases.

Why does my vagina smell bad like garlic?

An unpleasant odor in itself is not considered a disease, but signals changes in a woman’s body. Changes in intimate odor are associated not only with gynecological diseases. Often, vaginal discharge changes when you change your usual diet.

For example, eating garlic in large quantities can cause the smell of this product to appear in the perineum. Substances contained in garlic are excreted from the body through secretory glands (sweat, salivary, etc.). The genitals also contain glands that secrete fluid and mucus. Therefore, a similar unpleasant aroma may emanate from the vagina after eating strong-smelling foods.

Careful frequent hygiene of the intimate area, as well as limiting the consumption of garlic, will help solve the problem.

Why does my vagina smell like acetone?

The characteristic pungent aroma of acetone from the vagina is an alarming sign. As a rule, the first disease that a doctor suspects is diabetes. With this pathology, the level of ketone bodies in the blood increases, the breakdown of which is accompanied by the unpleasant odor of acetone. To check the suspected diagnosis, the gynecologist will prescribe a glucose test and a consultation with an endocrinologist.

Other conditions can provoke the appearance of the smell of acetone:

• lack of fluid in the body;
• low carbohydrate diet;
• violation of metabolism and digestion of food;
• diseases of the urogenital tract;
• hormonal disbalance.

Diagnostics

Diagnosis of vaginal candidiasis begins with collecting complaints. The gynecologist clarifies what worries the patient, when and under what circumstances specific problems appeared, as well as what measures were taken to eliminate them and with what effect. Attention is paid to the medical history: previous diseases (inflammation of the urogenital tract, STDs are especially important), the number of pregnancies and births, the number of sexual partners, etc.

The next diagnostic stage is an examination in a gynecological chair, during which the doctor identifies characteristic changes: swelling, redness, discharge and plaque. When Lugol's solution is applied to tissues, white dots resembling semolina are visualized on them, which is a characteristic sign of the disease. To confirm the diagnosis, the doctor prescribes:

• microscopy of vaginal smears (during the process, spores and fungal cells are identified);
• culture of vaginal discharge;
• PCR and ELISA of the excreted to detect pathogen antigens;
• blood test: general (signs of an inflammatory process are detected), tests to detect antibodies to Candida - remove!

If necessary (for example, during a recurrent course of the disease), tests are carried out to identify risk factors: elevated blood glucose levels, immunodeficiency, etc.