White vaginal discharge is normal during the menstrual cycle, but thick, lumpy, itchy discharge may indicate a yeast infection or an STD. Good hygiene habits can prevent yeast infections, and chronic sufferers should seek long-term treatment.
White vaginal discharge can be a normal part of the female menstrual cycle. As long as the white discharge is thin and odorless, women shouldn’t worry. If a woman begins to experience thick, lumpy, itchy white discharge, she may have a yeast infection. Yeast infections are one of the most common causes of white vaginal discharge. Some STDs, such as chlamydia and gonorrhea, can also cause abnormal vaginal discharge.
During the different phases of the menstrual cycle, the vagina produces discharge as a natural way to take care of itself. Women may occasionally see clear or white vaginal discharge in their panties. Some women naturally produce more discharge than others. If the discharge doesn’t cause a woman pain and doesn’t smell bad, there’s usually no reason to be alarmed.
When a white discharge that is thicker in nature appears, this can be a sign of a yeast infection. Vaginal yeast infections occur when the balance of good and bad bacteria in the vagina gets thrown off. Common triggers of a yeast infection include antibiotic use, douching, and pregnancy.
Thick, white vaginal discharge is a classic symptom of a yeast infection. Other symptoms include itching, vaginal burning, odor, and pain from intercourse. If a woman has had a yeast infection before, she may be able to treat herself with an over-the-counter yeast infection cream. Women who have never had a yeast infection should seek help from a gynecologist if they develop symptoms of an infection.
An ob-gyn might prescribe a prescription cream that can be inserted into a woman’s vagina at bedtime. Another option is for your doctor to prescribe an oral medication to treat your yeast infection. A healthy woman should be yeast free within a few days of starting the prescribed treatment.
Bacterial vaginosis and many sexually transmitted diseases such as chlamydia and gonorrhea can also cause vaginal discharge. For this reason, it is important for patients to be honest with their doctor about their sexual history. Leaving a sexually transmitted disease untreated can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease and reproductive problems.
Yeast infections can be prevented by practicing healthy habits at home. Women shouldn’t take a shower. The vagina is designed to clean itself naturally. It is also important for women to remove wet bathing suits immediately after swimming. An excessively moist vaginal area can promote the development of a yeast infection.
Women suffering from chronic yeast infections should talk to a doctor about long-term treatment. It may also be helpful for chronic yeast infection sufferers to add extra yogurt and garlic to their diet, because these foods help fight yeast. If a woman knows she is prone to yeast infections, she may benefit from asking her doctor for an oral yeast infection treatment pill whenever a course of antibiotics is prescribed.
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