Smelly Discharge

This article is a sensitive issue and written mainly for women. Men, who are concerned for their spouses can also read the content.

Every woman has this vaginal discharge during a certain period of their life. Being a girl, I can understand your feelings when you find this discharge sticking on your inner garments. It normally occurs post-menstruation or pre-menstruation, but only during a particular time. You feel irritated when the fluid has a strange fishy odor. Normally, we call it as white discharge. It's a natural phenomenon and the mild odor is also natural, although at times it is sticky, off-white, transparent fluid or brownish fluid accompanied by strong smell. When the smell becomes too pungent and the intensity of the discharge is high you should visit your gynecologist to know the underlying reason.

Smelly Discharge in Women

The medical terminology for the vaginal discharge in women is "Leukorrhea". Vaginal discharge in women is the secretory product of the small glands in the lining of the vagina and the cervix. It's a natural cleanser and has enzymatic effect that gives immunity from bacteria and fungus. The amount of discharge is dependent on hormonal changes in the body and varies from woman to woman. It also depends on your age, menstruation cycles and your sex life. The intensity is usually a bit high during puberty, pregnancy, a week before onset of periods or post menstruation. It also increases on sexual stimulation.

The discharge is normally clear and transparent or creamy pale yellow. Though it is generally mild smelly, but at times the smell becomes too strong. You should consult your doctor if you have a continuous smelly discharge and it becomes thick and yellowish or brownish in color. It can be due to bacterial infection or any sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) or sometimes the infection is symptom-free.

This is definitely a cause of concern for women and must be diagnosed by doctors. Here are a few possible reasons usually suspected by doctors behind smelly discharge in women.

• Bacterial vaginosis
• Genital warts
• Cervical cancer
• Chlamydia infection
• Gonorrhea in women
• Pelvic inflammatory disease
• Vaginitis
• Yeast infection
• Vaginal cancer
• Cervical polyp

N.B - This list cites the possible reasons behind smelly vaginal discharge. You should not consider yourself a victim of these body ailments unless doctors.

Smelly Discharge During Pregnancy

It is normal for women to have increased amount of vaginal discharge during pregnancy, due to certain hormonal activity and increased activity of the uterus. The increase in production of the hormone estrogen and increased blood flow through the pelvic area leads to enhanced vaginal discharge. The nature of the fluid is same. It is transparent to milky white accompanied by a mild odor or may be odorless.

In case you have a smelly discharge with a yellow, greenish, gray or brown color, consult a doctor to rule out any vaginal infection. Discharges with strong smell, blood stained causing irritation in vagina needs immediate medication. There are two most probable reasons behind this, Candidiasis (yeast infection) and vaginosis (bacterial infection). Drugs are administered to get rid of these infections.

Smelly Discharge After Period

Increase in vaginal discharge after period is due to hormonal changes that arouses sexual desire and enhanced flow rate of this fluid. It is either odorless or with a mild odor. But a discharge with brownish, yellowish and reddish tinge is due to bacterial, yeast or viral invasion. The symptoms and causes are same as stated above.

Hygienic Practices

Although a smelly discharge is not under our voluntary control but you can certainly practice clean habits to prevent microbial infections in your vagina. Always keep the vaginal area clean. Practice the habit to regularly wipe it after using the bathroom to prevent bacterial infections. Prefer to wear underwear and panties made of cotton and not nylon. This allows free air circulations and wicks away moisture. Avoid use of perfumed toilet paper, feminine hygiene sprays and scented soaps during pregnancy. Also make it a habit to clean your vagina with a medicated disinfectant at least twice a week.

I hope this piece of article has cleared your doubts on smelly discharge. Women's anatomy is complex and so are our body cycles. Don't get tensed if you get smelly discharges, rather meet a gynecologist and discuss your problems openly. Maintain hygiene and stay cheerful.