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 normally watery or just a little thick. It might even have a slight odour. Whereas some expertise it each day, others might not have it often. 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 marvel in regards to the causes of vaginal discharge and whether it is regular. Is it an indication of being pregnant, a daily function of your menstrual cycle or an an infection that you’ll want 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 surroundings. “It’s made up of mucus, micro organism, vaginal secretions, and outdated cells that the physique naturally sheds,” says obstetrician and gynaecologist Dr Sadhna Singhal Vishnoi.

The discharge out of your vagina performs an important function in sustaining vaginal well being by:

• Preserving your vagina clear: It flushes out micro organism and lifeless cells, which might 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 could actually assist forestall dangerous micro organism from rising,” says the professional.
• 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 normally 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 professional.

What are the causes of an elevated vaginal discharge?

A rise in vaginal discharge could also be as a result of 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 professional. This helps the sperm transfer simply and improve the probabilities of being pregnant.

2. Being pregnant

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

3. Sexual arousal

If you find yourself sexually aroused, the Bartholin’s glands, situated close to the vaginal opening, produce a transparent, watery fluid. This lubricant helps scale back friction whereas having intercourse. “The cervix additionally releases mucus, growing 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, contributors skilled elevated quantities of discharge within the first few months after beginning contraception. “This occurs on account of fluctuating estrogen and progesterone ranges,” says the professional.

5. Vaginal yeast an infection

A vaginal yeast an infection happens when Candida albicans, which is a kind of fungus, overgrows within the vagina. “It typically occurs after utilizing antibiotics, consuming a variety 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 professional

6. Bacterial vaginosis

It’s attributable to an imbalance in vaginal micro organism, the place the dangerous ones outgrow the nice micro organism or lactobacilli. “You possibly can expertise skinny, gray or white discharge with a powerful fishy scent,” says Dr Vishnoi. Bacterial vaginosis is the most typical reason for 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 on account of irritation and an infection. “These infections unfold by unprotected intercourse, and may result in a discharge in yellow or inexperienced color with a powerful odour,” says the professional.

8. Menopause

Throughout menopause, estrogen ranges typically fluctuate. “Vaginal dryness is widespread amongst ladies of their mid-40s and 50s. Some ladies can even expertise a rise in vaginal discharge, which is skinny and watery, on account of hormonal shifts,” says the professional.

The way to deal with a rise in vaginal discharge?

Remedy is determined by 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 on account of a yeast an infection. “Antifungal drugs and probiotics may help to revive vaginal flora, and do away with the an infection,” says the professional.

2. Bacterial vaginosis

Greyish-white heavy discharge with a powerful fishy odour and just a little little bit of itching are indicators of bacterial vaginosis. “Antibiotics like metronidazole or clindamycin, in oral or vaginal gel type, might assist,” says the professional. 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, it’s possible you’ll expertise white or yellowish discharge with an disagreeable scent. As for gonorrhea, the fluid is normally skinny and inexperienced or yellow in color. “Antibiotics like azithromycin or doxycycline could also be given for chlamydia, and ceftriaxone for gonorrhea,” says the professional.

4. Hormonal imbalances

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

A rise in vaginal discharge could also be on account of totally different causes, together with being pregnant. If it’s an an infection, it’s possible you’ll be given drugs. Typically, even making small adjustments in your food plan may help.