The danger of vaginal discharge is often a concern for women. Whiteness is indeed the body’s natural way of preventing infection and is completely harmless. However, it is different if the mucus that comes out of the vagina is not normal and is accompanied by other symptoms.
Vaginal discharge is mucus produced by glands in the cervix and vaginal wall. Normal discharge is generally white or clear, with a slightly sticky and smooth texture, and does not cause odor, pain, or itching.
However, when the whiteness that appears is accompanied by other symptoms, you need to be careful. This may be a sign that you are experiencing the danger of abnormal discharge.
Symptoms and dangers of vaginal discharge to be aware of
White discharge accompanied by other symptoms can be a sign of a problem in the vagina. Here are some of the symptoms and dangers of vaginal discharge to be aware of:
- Whiteness accompanied by itching
Vaginal discharge accompanied by itching is usually caused by the growth of Candida albicans fungus in the vagina. In addition to itching, sufferers of this condition will also experience the following conditions:
- Swelling of the vulva
- Redness in the vulva
- Pain when urinating or having sex
- A rash and pain appear in the vagina
- Yellow or green discharge
Sexually transmitted diseases , such as gonorrhea , chlamydia , and trichomoniasis , can also cause discharge. The characteristic of abnormal discharge that appears due to this disease is the presence of yellow or greenish discharge .
In addition, other symptoms of vaginal discharge that can appear are:
- The whitish texture is thinner
- Pain in the lower abdomen
- Pain when urinating
- Smelly vagina
- Bleeding after having sex
- The discharge is gray and smelly
Gray and smelly discharge may be a sign that you are suffering from a bacterial infection ( bacterial vaginosis ). This danger of whiteness usually appears as a result of the disruption of the balance of bacteria in the vagina.
In addition to colored and smelly discharge, women who experience this condition will also experience other symptoms, namely pain when urinating and an itchy vagina.
- Discharge accompanied by fever
You should be alert if discharge is accompanied by fever. Fever indicates the body’s resistance to germs that cause infection. This condition is something that needs to be checked by a doctor.
- Whiteness accompanied by blood
Another danger of discharge is discharge accompanied by vaginal bleeding outside of menstruation or after menopause . This abnormal condition can be caused by various things, such as infection, pelvic inflammatory disease , and cervical cancer .
How to Overcome Whiteness
Abnormal discharge treatment should be tailored to the cause. To determine the cause of the discharge , an examination by a doctor is required.
Before going to the doctor, you can apply several methods at home to help alleviate or prevent vaginal discharge , including:
- Clean the vagina every time after urinating or defecating
- Clean the vagina from front to back (from the vagina to the anus) so that bacteria from the anus does not enter the vagina and cause infection
- Avoid using vaginal hygiene products that contain perfume because they can irritate the vagina
- Use cotton underwear and avoid clothes that are too tight
- Delay sexual intercourse until the discharge is completely gone
- Use an unscented detergent to wash your underwear and rinse it thoroughly
If you experience the danger signs of vaginal discharge as above, immediately check yourself with a doctor to get appropriate treatment. Especially if the discharge is more than usual, accompanied by fatigue, lower abdominal pain or pelvic pain, and drastic weight loss.