Many women have asked or will ask this question at some point in their lives. Here we give you some guidelines on when you should consult and when it is considered normal.
What is flow?
Mucus or vaginal discharge is the discharge from the cervix and the walls of the vagina. Its most important aspects are texture, color and smell.
You have to know that vaginal discharge varies throughout the female sexual cycle. After menstruation , where bleeding occurs, comes a dry phase, where there is almost no vaginal discharge. After the dry phase, an “egg white” mucus phase, which does not break when separated with the fingers. It coincides with the ovulation phase, the most fertile days, that is, with the greatest possibility of pregnancy. Behind it there is a phase of dense mucus, which breaks when trying to separate it. The cycle starts again with another menstruation.
Keep in mind that women who use hormonal contraceptives have less vaginal discharge, so these 4 phases are more difficult to differentiate. The same thing happens in menopause.
At what time should I consult?
Vulvovaginitis is an inflammation or infection of the vulva and vagina that can affect women of any age. It is relatively common. It presents with increased vaginal discharge, itching and local discomfort.
Vaginal infections are briefly described below, in order of frequency. It will be the professionals, finally, who diagnose and treat these infections.
If the flow increases, is foul-smelling and grayish-white, it can indicate bacterial vaginosis. It is the most common infection of all. Produced by Gardnerella vaginalis . It is not always necessary to treat it. It is treated when it gives important symptoms or when the patient has to undergo an obstetric-gynecological procedure.
If the flow is thick and whitish, it may be vaginal yeast infection. Sometimes associated itching and redness . Candida albicans is the most commonly implicated fungus. It can be favored by taking antibiotics , hormonal changes or other factors such as diabetes .
If the discharge is yellow or greenish, with a bad smell and foamy, it may be trichomoniasis, caused by Trichomonas vaginalis. It is almost exclusively a sexually transmitted infection . You have to treat the sexual partner too.
If recurrent infections occur that do not respond to conventional treatment, referral to a gynecologist is required.
What should not be forgotten?
That the flow undergoes changes throughout the female sexual cycle.
That menopause and hormonal contraceptives can also alter it.
That, if the flow increases, changes color, becomes foul-smelling or foamy, it should be consulted. Also if you associate vaginal and/or vulvar itching, redness or other local symptoms.
That it is necessary to consult with a gynecologist, to carry out a more exhaustive study, if they are rebellious or repetitive cases.
