Vaginal Discharge & STDs by Dr. Drai

Hello #MomentumLovers! I'm Dr. Drai a board-certified OBGYN, sexual health expert, and founder of Momentum Intimacy. Through my FDA-approved condom & lubricant line called Momentum, I help people improve their intimacy and have a more satisfying sex life.

Vaginal discharge can be a common complaint among women of all ages. But how do you know if the discharge is normal or not? Normal vaginal discharge is generally thin, clear, and odorless. Unusual mucus or other substances coming from the vagina can be associated with pain, burning, itching, and painful urination. 

While not all vaginal discharge is associated with an abnormality or a sexually transmitted infection (STI), in this article, we will discuss signs and symptoms of abnormal vaginal discharge and what you should consider. 

1. Yeast infection or candidiasis -Usually there is a thick, white cottage cheese-like discharge that itches and causes irritated skin. Women who suffer from diabetes and those who take antibiotics are more prone to develop yeast infections. Yeast infections can be treated with oral or vaginal medications. 

2. Trichomonas is a sexually transmitted disease that is associated with a thin, yellow, foul-smelling discharge. There is an oral medication to treat trichomonas. 

3. Bacterial vaginosis –Not always sexually transmitted, this infection is associated with thin, gray, or white foul-smelling discharge. Bacterial vaginosis can be treated with oral or vaginal medications. 

4. Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) infects the cervix, uterus, ovaries, or fallopian tubes and is one of the most common and serious complications of an STI. Symptoms include vaginal discharge or bleeding with lower abdominal pain and fever. Chronic PID could result in one or more infections and the most common symptoms that could be identified are gonorrhea or Chlamydia that are sexually transmitted. 

5. Genital Herpes can also produce vaginal discharge and it could affect the cervix. It includes features such as fever, itching, headache, and general muscle aches. 

6. Atrophic vaginitis - Inflammation in the vagina is also caused because of lack of estrogen and as a woman enters into menopause her body produces an increasingly erratic amount of estrogen. This often makes the vagina dry out and get irritated. This condition is also known as atrophic vaginitis and could be treated by estrogen replacement therapy, vaginal creams, or vaginal suppositories. 

As you can see, there are many causes of vaginal discharge. You must protect yourself from STI's by properly using condoms. Seek medical advice and treatment options from your doctor if you are experiencing any of these symptoms.

Thank you for reading this #MomentumLovers! As always...I'm Dr. Drai a board-certified OBGYN, sexual health expert, and founder of Momentum Intimacy. Through my FDA-approved condom & lubricant line called Momentum, I help people improve their intimacy and have a more satisfying sex life.