What any particular vaginal discharge means, or whether there is a need to consult a doctor, depends partly on the age of the person concerned and whether she is currently taking any kind of medication.
Pregnancy and health problems such as diabetes, for instance, may also have an impact, as can sexual activity.
This in itself can cause a variety of symptoms, depending on number and kind of sexual partners, whether birth control is used and the kind of sexual activity indulged in, particularly if abuse is involved.
As a rule, a clear to white odourless discharge is normal and will vary in consistency and amount during a woman's menstrual cycle.
Before the release of an egg, or ovulation, a lot of mucous is produced, resulting in a much more noticeable, usually almost clear and stringy discharge. This can be up to 30 times the amount likely to be discharged after ovulation.
If this discharge is accompanied by itching, however, it may indicate a yeast infection and may require medical treatment.
A watery clear discharge may occur after heavy exercising and is also quite normal. A darker, brown discharge shortly after a period is simply a cleaning out of the vagina.
A green or yellow coloured discharge, especially if this is fairly thick and clumpy, with a consistency similar to cottage cheese, is highly likely to indicate an infection.
Whatever the colour of the discharge, if it is accompanied by discomfort, itching, pain or rashes and/ or sores, it is advisable to seek the opinion of a medical professional.
Even without these accompanying symptoms, if it is felt that a discharge of any colour is proving to be of worrying proportions, seeking medical help will result in determining possible causes and, if nothing else, can put one's mind at rest.
Pregnancy and health problems such as diabetes, for instance, may also have an impact, as can sexual activity.
This in itself can cause a variety of symptoms, depending on number and kind of sexual partners, whether birth control is used and the kind of sexual activity indulged in, particularly if abuse is involved.
As a rule, a clear to white odourless discharge is normal and will vary in consistency and amount during a woman's menstrual cycle.
Before the release of an egg, or ovulation, a lot of mucous is produced, resulting in a much more noticeable, usually almost clear and stringy discharge. This can be up to 30 times the amount likely to be discharged after ovulation.
If this discharge is accompanied by itching, however, it may indicate a yeast infection and may require medical treatment.
A watery clear discharge may occur after heavy exercising and is also quite normal. A darker, brown discharge shortly after a period is simply a cleaning out of the vagina.
A green or yellow coloured discharge, especially if this is fairly thick and clumpy, with a consistency similar to cottage cheese, is highly likely to indicate an infection.
Whatever the colour of the discharge, if it is accompanied by discomfort, itching, pain or rashes and/ or sores, it is advisable to seek the opinion of a medical professional.
Even without these accompanying symptoms, if it is felt that a discharge of any colour is proving to be of worrying proportions, seeking medical help will result in determining possible causes and, if nothing else, can put one's mind at rest.
