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Women's Health

Vaginal discharge...please help me!

06/13/2008

Question:

i have had a white non smell, non itchy discharge for over a year now. ive had it since i was 7 months pregnant with my son. ive had tests done for sexual infections and have all come back negative. i think that it could be something else. ive changed my washing powder to see if that would help and it hasnt. the doctors wont listen to me and they say its "normal" i understand that some women get discharge and its normal for them, but this is not normal for me. i have to wear a pantyliner EVERY day. its getting me down, i dont have sex with my partner anymore and its putting a strain on our relationship because i feel insecure.

i go on the internet almost every night to find help or some kind of answer. please, please help me.

Answer:

Hi, I am sorry about how you are feeling. It will probably help you more if I run down a list of possible causes of your vaginal discharge.

a) Gonorrhea. In women, the symptoms of gonorrhea are often mild, but most women who are infected have no symptoms. Even when a woman has symptoms, they can be so non-specific as to be mistaken for a bladder or vaginal infection. The initial symptoms and signs in women include a painful or burning sensation when urinating, increased vaginal discharge, or vaginal bleeding between periods. Women with gonorrhea are at risk of developing serious complications from the infection, regardless of the presence or severity of symptoms.

b) Chlamydia. In women, the bacteria initially infect the cervix and the urethra (urine canal). Women who have symptoms might have an abnormal vaginal discharge or a burning sensation when urinating. When the infection spreads from the cervix to the fallopian tubes (tubes that carry fertilized eggs from the ovaries to the uterus), some women still have no signs or symptoms; others have lower abdominal pain, low back pain, nausea, fever, pain during intercourse, or bleeding between menstrual periods. Chlamydial infection of the cervix can spread to the rectum.

c) Trichomoniasis. Some women have signs or symptoms of infection which include a frothy, yellow-green vaginal discharge with a strong odor. The infection also may cause discomfort during intercourse and urination, as well as irritation and itching of the female genital area. In rare cases, lower abdominal pain can occur. Symptoms usually appear in women within 5 to 28 days of exposure.

d) Bacterial Vaginosis. Women with BV may have an abnormal vaginal discharge with an unpleasant odor. Some women report a strong fish-like odor, especially after intercourse. Discharge, if present, is usually white or gray; it can be thin. Women with BV may also have burning during urination or itching around the outside of the vagina, or both. However, most women with BV report no signs or symptoms at all.

e) Yeast. Women with yeast infection usually experience genital itching or burning, with or without a "cottage cheese-like" vaginal discharge. All information taken from the cdc website - http://www.cdc.gov.

I hope these info helps.

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Response by:

The Ohio State University Riza T Conroy, MD
Clinical Assistant Professor of Family Medicine
Department of Family Medicine
College of Medicine
The Ohio State University
Riza T Conroy, MD