Sunday, February, 12, 2012

Vaginal discharge

Table of Contents

  • Your discharge is associated with fever or pain in your pelvis or abdomen.
  • You have been exposed to a sexual partner with gonorrhea, chlamydia, or other sexually transmitted disease.
  • You have increased thirst or appetite, unexplained weight loss, increased urinary frequency, or fatigue -- these may be signs of diabetes.

Also call if:

  • A child who has not reached puberty has vaginal discharge.
  • You think that your discharge may be related to a medication.
  • You are concerned that you may have a sexually transmitted disease or you are unsure of possible exposure.
  • Your symptoms worsen or last longer than 1 week despite home care measures.
  • You have blisters or other lesions on your vagina or vulva (exterior genitalia).
  • You have burning with urination or other urinary symptoms -- you may have a urinary tract infection.

What to expect at your health care provider's office

Your doctor will take a medical history and perform a physical examination including a pelvic exam.

Medical history questions may include:

  • When did the change or abnormal vaginal discharge begin?
  • Do you have the same amount and type of vaginal discharge throughout the month?
  • What does the discharge look like (color and consistency)?
  • Is there an odor?
  • Do you have pain, itching, or burning?
  • Does your sexual partner have a discharge as well?
  • Do you have multiple sexual partners or sexual partners that you do not know very well?
  • What type of birth control do you use?
  • Do you use condoms?
  • Is there anything that relieves the discharge?
  • Have you tried over-the-counter creams? Have they helped?
  • Do you douche?
  • Do you have any other symptoms like abdominal pain, vaginal itching, fever, vaginal bleeding, rash, genital warts or lesions, or changes in urination like difficulty, pain, or blood?
  • What medications do you take?
  • Do you have any allergies?
  • Have you recently changed the detergents or soaps that you use?
  • Do you frequently wear very tight clothing?
  • When was your last Pap smear? Have you ever had an abnormal Pap smear?

Diagnostic tests that may be performed include:

  • Cultures of your cervix
  • Examination of vaginal discharge under the microscope
  • A Pap smear

Treatment depends on the underlying condition. Suppositories or creams may be ordered and antibiotics may be prescribed. Medications taken by mouth may be needed to treat certain fungus or trichomoniasis infections. Your sexual partner may also need treatment.


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Review Date: 11/01/2009
Reviewed By: Linda Vorvick, MD, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington School of Medicine; and Susan Storck, MD, FACOG, Chief, Eastside Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound, Redmond, WA; Clinical Teaching Faculty, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)