Why am I experiencing an increase in vaginal discharge? 8 possible causes

Vaginal discharge, which is the fluid that comes out from the vagina, is often watery or a bit of thick. It might even have a slight odour. Whereas some expertise it day by day, others might not have it continuously. Typically, the fluid is a sign of vaginal well being and cleanliness. So it’s pure for ladies to fret in case of heavy discharge and surprise in regards to the causes of vaginal discharge and whether it is regular. Is it an indication of being pregnant, a daily characteristic of your menstrual cycle or an an infection that it’s good to get handled for? Learn on to get all of your doubts cleared.

What’s vaginal discharge?

It’s a fluid produced by the glands within the cervix and vagina to assist clear in addition to shield the vaginal setting. “It’s made up of mucus, micro organism, vaginal secretions, and previous cells that the physique naturally sheds,” says obstetrician and gynaecologist Dr Sadhna Singhal Vishnoi.

The discharge out of your vagina performs a vital position in sustaining vaginal well being by:

• Maintaining your vagina clear: It flushes out micro organism and lifeless cells, which may forestall infections.
• Sustaining vaginal potential of hydrogen (pH) steadiness: The vagina has a barely acidic pH, which is round 3.8 and 4.5. “Sustaining it may well assist forestall dangerous micro organism from rising,” says the knowledgeable.
• Lubrication: It retains the vaginal partitions moist, which helps forestall dryness and discomfort.
• Supporting fertility: Throughout ovulation, discharge turns into slippery and stretchy, serving to sperm attain the egg.

Vaginal discharge, which is often white in color or clear, varies with the adjustments in hormone ranges, as per analysis printed in Singapore Medical Journal in 2020. “The quantity varies, however as much as one teaspoon of vaginal discharge in a day is taken into account regular,” says the knowledgeable.

What are the causes of an elevated vaginal discharge?

A rise in vaginal discharge could also be because of the following causes:

1. Ovulation

Across the center of your menstrual cycle (days between 10 and 14) estrogen ranges peak, and results in a rise in vaginal discharge. “This makes the cervix produce extra cervical mucus, which turns into clear, slippery, and stretchy,” says the knowledgeable. This helps the sperm transfer simply and enhance the probabilities of being pregnant.

2. Being pregnant

Whereas anticipating, estrogen and progesterone ranges enhance, resulting in a rise in vaginal discharge. “This skinny, milky white fluid with no odour helps forestall infections and maintains a wholesome setting for the child,” says the knowledgeable.

3. Sexual arousal

If you end up sexually aroused, the Bartholin’s glands, positioned close to the vaginal opening, produce a transparent, watery fluid. This lubricant helps cut back friction whereas having intercourse. “The cervix additionally releases mucus, rising vaginal discharge,” says Dr Vishnoi.

4. Contraception

Oral contraceptives, hormonal intrauterine machine, or hormone substitute remedy may cause a rise in vaginal discharge. Throughout a 2022 research, printed in Contraception, individuals skilled elevated quantities of discharge within the first few months after beginning contraception. “This occurs attributable to fluctuating estrogen and progesterone ranges,” says the knowledgeable.

5. Vaginal yeast an infection

A vaginal yeast an infection happens when Candida albicans, which is a sort of fungus, overgrows within the vagina. “It typically occurs after utilizing antibiotics, consuming lots of sugar, stress, being pregnant, or diabetes. These are a few of the elements that may disrupt the pure vaginal pH, and result in thick, white heavy discharge,” says the knowledgeable

6. Bacterial vaginosis

It’s brought on by an imbalance in vaginal micro organism, the place the dangerous ones outgrow the great micro organism or lactobacilli. “You’ll be able to expertise skinny, gray or white discharge with a powerful fishy scent,” says Dr Vishnoi. Bacterial vaginosis is the most typical reason behind irregular vaginal discharge, together with heavy discharge, as per analysis printed within the Worldwide Journal of Replica, Contraception, Obstetrics and Gynecology in 2021.

7. Sexually transmitted infections

Sexually transmitted infections like gonorrhea, chlamydia, or trichomoniasis may cause a rise in vaginal discharge attributable to irritation and an infection. “These infections unfold by unprotected intercourse, and might result in a discharge in yellow or inexperienced color with a powerful odour,” says the knowledgeable.

8. Menopause

Throughout menopause, estrogen ranges typically fluctuate. “Vaginal dryness is widespread amongst girls of their mid-40s and 50s. Some girls may expertise a rise in vaginal discharge, which is skinny and watery, attributable to hormonal shifts,” says the knowledgeable.

Tips on how to deal with a rise in vaginal discharge?

Remedy depends upon the reason for heavy vaginal discharge:

1. Yeast an infection

In case your discharge is thick, white, cottage cheese-like fluid, and you’re feeling itchy down there, it may be attributable to a yeast an infection. “Antifungal drugs and probiotics may help to revive vaginal flora, and eliminate the an infection,” says the knowledgeable.

2. Bacterial vaginosis

Greyish-white heavy discharge with a powerful fishy odour and a bit of little bit of itching are indicators of bacterial vaginosis. “Antibiotics like metronidazole or clindamycin, in oral or vaginal gel kind, might assist,” says the knowledgeable. Additionally, keep away from vaginal douching, because it disturbs vaginal flora.

3. Sexually transmitted infections

Other than a rise in vaginal discharge, it results in greenish-yellow frothy fluid with foul odour and intense itching. “Antibiotics like metronidazole and tinidazole could also be prescribed by your physician to deal with trichomoniasis,” says Dr Vishnoi. In case of chlamydia, you might expertise white or yellowish discharge with an disagreeable scent. As for gonorrhea, the fluid is often skinny and inexperienced or yellow in color. “Antibiotics like azithromycin or doxycycline could also be given for chlamydia, and ceftriaxone for gonorrhea,” says the knowledgeable.

4. Hormonal imbalances

If you happen to expertise a rise in vaginal discharge throughout being pregnant, ovulation or menopause, it could be because of the fluctuations in estrogen and progesterone ranges. “In case of an excessive amount of estrogen, eating regimen adjustments like consuming extra fibre-rich meals, and managing stress might assist steadiness hormone ranges naturally,” says the knowledgeable.

A rise in vaginal discharge could also be attributable to completely different causes, together with being pregnant. If it’s an an infection, you might be given drugs. Typically, even making small adjustments in your eating regimen may help.