Copious white curdled discharge and itching. White cheesy discharge in women: what it can be

Vaginal discharge is a common phenomenon for any healthy woman. Throughout their life, their color and consistency repeatedly change under the influence of many factors, such as sexual activity or the state of health of a lady. This is not surprising, since the main function of mucus is to cleanse the genital tract and their natural defense against all kinds of infections.

Under normal conditions, the discharge has a shade close to white or yellowish. They are not abundant and do not exude any odor. But white curd discharge in women, accompanied by itching and other signs of discomfort, is a reason for an immediate visit to the doctor.

Most likely, the cause of the pathology is vaginal candidiasis, better known as thrush. What are the causes of the development of the disease and how to treat curd discharge in women?

Signs and symptoms

So, the main reason for the unusual white discharge is the infection of the genital microflora with Candida fungi, which cause thrush. It is this diagnosis that causes complaints of more than 75% of the gynecologist's patients. The disease causes serious discomfort to a woman and it is quite difficult not to notice it. What are the main symptoms of an infection?

White curd discharge from a woman from the vagina.
Painful sensations during sexual intercourse.
Discomfort when going to the toilet.
Itching and burning in the external genital area.
Pungent, sour smell.

Depending on the cause of the development of candidiasis, indirect symptoms may be added to its main manifestations - fatigue, emotional stress, drowsiness.

The color of the mucus may not always remain white. Sometimes the discharge turns pinkish or light brown, which indicates the presence of bleeding inside the genitals. This happens in cases where thrush is triggered by erosion in the uterus or hormonal changes.

Yellow curd discharge in women- signs of a completely different pathology, different from thrush. They talk about the acute course of the inflammatory process, provoked by the causative agents of gonorrhea, trichomoniasis. Then, in addition to mucus, the woman is worried about the following symptoms:

Abdominal cramps.
Temperature increase.
Burning and itching in the vagina and labia.
Pain during sexual intercourse.
Redness in the perineum.
General malaise.

If the infectious disease is in the chronic phase, then, in addition to yellow curdled mucus with a pungent odor, no symptoms are observed. And here white curd discharge in women, odorless sometimes it can be a side effect of a pleasant state - pregnancy.

White and yellow curd discharge in women: causes

To make an accurate diagnosis, the doctor does not take into account the color of the discharge or its consistency at all. Also, the presence of odor or additional symptoms does not play a role, since with an advanced disease, except for mucus, a woman does not bother with anything. The task of the gynecologist is to conduct a series of studies and establish a connection between the presence of secretions and the woman's lifestyle. There can be several reasons for the development of genital pathology:

Frequent change of sexual partners, unprotected intercourse.
Use of synthetic underwear.
Frequent use of antibacterial drugs.
Failure to comply with the rules and regulations of personal hygiene.
Some procedures - douching, suppositories, tampons.
Frequent hypothermia, stress, physical exhaustion.
Some somatic diseases or exacerbation of their chronic course.
Pregnancy or other factors of changes in hormonal levels.

Curd discharge in women: treatment with folk remedies and methods of modern medicine

The main condition for quick and effective getting rid of unpleasant symptoms is a timely appeal to a specialist for the correct diagnosis. The sooner the gynecologist conducts the necessary research and determines the cause of the discharge, the faster he will prescribe treatment.

White curd discharge in women caused by fungal infections are easily amenable to local treatment with antifungal drugs (antimycotics). The use of vaginal suppositories, as well as creams and ointments, is common. Local treatment is effective only with a mild and acute course of candidiasis, but if the disease has passed into a chronic stage, it becomes much more difficult to get rid of it. In such cases, the doctor prescribes tableted antimycotics, sometimes combining them with local drugs.

It is worth noting that white cheesy discharge does not always indicate the presence of a fungal disease. Sometimes scanty mucus of an off-white or grayish color with a curd consistency is possible with genital bacterial sexually transmitted diseases. Then the specialist prescribes antibacterial drugs in combination with anti-inflammatory drugs and physiotherapy.

For pain in the abdomen, antispasmodics are additionally used. Similar methods of therapy are used for inflammatory processes in the uterus and appendages, in which there are yellow curd discharge.

In women with signs of trichomoniasis or gonorrhea, it becomes necessary to visit a venereologist together with her sexual partner. Ailments accompanied by yellow curd discharge, burning sensation and a pungent odor are dangerous with serious and irreversible complications. In such cases, the woman and her partner need urgent therapy with antibiotics and a complete cessation of sexual intercourse for a certain period.

In addition to the main therapy, the gynecologist prescribes symptomatic treatment. So, the patient can be prescribed drugs against itching and burning in the vagina. Before how to treat curd discharge in women caused by a decrease in immunity or stress, the doctor will prescribe immunomodulators and vitamin complexes, sedatives to the patient.

Is it acceptable to treat white or yellow curd discharge with folk recipes? In the old days, many improvised means were used to treat curd discharge. Women doused with soda and tanning broths, irrigated the vaginal area with solutions of garlic and vinegar, took baths with chamomile or, more often, steamed in a bath. In fact, it is better to refrain from using folk recipes, as this provokes complications and difficulties when making a diagnosis by a doctor.

Disease prevention

Prevent the onset of diseases that cause itching and curd discharge in women, not difficult. The main methods of prevention are reduced to strengthening the body's immune system and adherence to personal hygiene standards. It is necessary to pay attention to the state of your health in time and immediately contact a specialist if white or yellow discharge appears, as well as if there is discomfort in the perineal region.

To rule out a recurrence of a fungal or bacterial infection, it is important to follow some general guidelines:

Use barrier contraception during intercourse (vaginal caps, condoms, spermicides).
Exclude casual sex.
Conduct an examination of the genitourinary system and cure all detected diseases.
Establish the cause of decreased immunity and eliminate it.

Also, the doctor can prescribe an individual program of preventive measures. In this matter, as in the treatment, one should not rely on folk recipes and advice from "knowledgeable" people, since the important point is precisely to determine the cause of the appearance of white or yellow cheesy discharge.

Content:

Vaginal discharge in women is considered completely normal. Their number, color and consistency may vary depending on the period of the menstrual cycle, sexual activity, hormonal status and age of the fairer sex. Nature has assigned an important function to vaginal secretions - they contribute to the natural cleansing of the genital tract and protect them from all sorts of infections.

If a woman is healthy, then the discharge from her vagina should be transparent (sometimes whitish or yellowish) watery mucus without a pungent odor.

The amount of mucus increases during ovulation.

Cheesy discharge with genital candidiasis

In the case when the discharge becomes abundant, resembles curd flakes, is accompanied by itching, acquires an uncharacteristic color for them and a sharp unpleasant odor, the lady should see a gynecologist. All of these signs indicate a problem in her genital area. A curdled vaginal discharge may indicate a serious medical condition, but in most cases it is a sign of candidiasis.

Genital candidiasis (in other words - thrush) is a very common ailment, it is familiar to 75% of women of childbearing age. The disease develops as a result of excessive reproduction of fungi of the genus Candida - microorganisms that are part of the normal microflora of the mucous membrane of the female genital organs. As long as the number of fungi does not exceed the norm, a natural balance is maintained in the epithelial tissues. But if the fungal microorganisms begin to multiply vigorously, then the vaginal mucosa becomes inflamed and the woman develops candidiasis.

The main reasons for the active reproduction of a fungal infection are:

pregnancy;
long-term treatment with antibiotics and hormonal drugs;
intestinal dysbiosis;
decreased immunity;
douching without a doctor's prescription;
wearing underwear made from synthetic fabrics;
swimming in dirty waters;
HIV infection or diabetes mellitus.

White curd discharge is not the only sign of thrush. In addition, women are worried about constant itching in the perineum, discomfort during urination, discomfort and pain during intercourse. Vaginal leucorrhoea becomes profuse, sometimes it can acquire a yellowish or even greenish tint. They are characterized by a pungent fermented milk smell.

During an external examination, the gynecologist discovers redness on the mucous membrane of the vagina and on the surface of the external genital organs, the formation of plaque on them in the form of cottage cheese. If genital candidiasis has developed against the background of cervical erosion, then the cheesy discharge in women becomes pinkish due to blood clots in them.

Treatment and diet for thrush

Thrush does not pose any danger to life and health, but its presence is extremely unpleasant for a woman. Constant itching, aggravated at night and after washing with warm water, discharge that smells unpleasant and leave white streaks on underwear - all this often leads to mental disorders and a violation of a full-fledged intimate life.

Previously, it was not easy to completely get rid of genital candidiasis, but today it is successfully treated with local and general drugs. For example, with a mild form of thrush, doctors prescribe to their patients vaginal suppositories, ointments and capsules based on Miconazole, Pimafucin, Ketoconazole, Nystatin and Clotrimazole. With advanced forms of the disease, women are prescribed general medications (Fluconazole, Itraconazole).

In order to quickly and effectively get rid of thrush, women should radically change their entire diet and exclude from it foods that contribute to the development of fungal infections. These include carbonated drinks, yeast baked goods, sugar, coffee, mushrooms, beer, milk, spices, various sauces and ketchups, sweet fruits, all fatty and spicy dishes. Instead, it is useful to use fermented milk drinks, lean meat and fish, stale bread, bran, whole grain cereals, stewed vegetables and fresh fruit compotes.

Curd vaginal discharge in inflammatory processes and venereal infections

Odorless curdled discharge, colored yellow, is observed in inflammatory processes in the area of the appendages, ovaries and fallopian tubes (oophoritis, adnexitis, salpingo-oophoritis, salpingitis). In the case of an acute course of these gynecological diseases, women complain of profuse vaginal discharge. For the chronic form of the course of ailments, scanty formations of the same curd consistency are characteristic.

Inflammatory processes in the organs of the female reproductive system are often accompanied by severe pain and fever, but in rare cases they can proceed without any obvious symptoms. Treatment of this group of diseases is carried out with antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, analgesic drugs and physiotherapy methods.

White cheesy discharge in women is not only with genital candidiasis. They are also typical for chlamydia, ureaplasmosis, mycoplasmosis and a number of other sexually transmitted diseases. In this case, the leucorrhoea coming out of the female vagina has a dull white or gray tint and has a very pungent odor. The listed ailments are accompanied by itching and burning in the genital area.

To determine the exact diagnosis, the gynecologist takes a PCR smear from his patient and, based on the results of laboratory tests, prescribes appropriate treatment for her. Until the final diagnosis is made, a woman is usually prescribed Fluomisin to relieve unpleasant symptoms, an antiseptic that effectively removes discomfort and does not affect the test results.

Yellow, cheesy leucorrhoea with an unpleasant odor, accompanied by a burning sensation when urinating and itching in the genital area, may be signs of gonorrhea. If these symptoms occur, a woman should immediately see a venereologist. Gonorrhea is dangerous for its complications, leading to irreversible changes in the organs of the reproductive system, so it is better not to delay the treatment of this ailment. If a patient is diagnosed with gonorrhea, the doctor prescribes a course of antibiotic therapy for her and recommends giving up her sex life for the entire period of treatment. The woman's sex partner should also be treated for the infection.

The appearance of abundant green or yellow-green cheesy leucorrhoea with an unpleasant odor is a sign of trichomoniasis. This disease is transmitted only through unprotected intercourse. The discharge corrodes the genitals, as a result of which the woman develops itching, pain in the lower back and lower abdomen, and discomfort during intercourse are added to it.

For the treatment of trichomoniasis, both sexual partners are prescribed Metronidazole or Tinidazole and advise them to give up intimate relationships for 2 weeks. If the ailment is not treated in time, then infertility, ectopic pregnancies and miscarriages can become its consequences. Some venereologists believe that neglected trichomoniasis can cause the development of cancer.

It is important to remember that the color, quantity, consistency and odor of vaginal discharge cannot be the determining factors in making a diagnosis. It is possible to find out the true cause of the appearance of cheesy leucorrhoea only after a laboratory examination prescribed by a gynecologist. The sooner a woman turns to a specialist, the more chances she has for a full recovery.

The mucus produced by the glands of the cervix is a protective barrier against infection. Together with other physiological fluids, it is part of the natural secretions from the genital organs of a woman. By their nature, one can judge the state of the genitourinary system. If the discharge is not abundant and odorless, then there is no reason to worry. But it happens that they cause skin irritation and itching, in addition, there are accompanying painful symptoms. Then only the doctor will be able to tell what is wrong in the body. Many women's diseases are easier to cure immediately than later, when complications arise.

Candidiasis (thrush)

A curdled consistency with this disease appears in leucorrhoea as a result of the fermentation process that occurs under the influence of yeast fungi. Candida fungi, like some other microorganisms, are part of the vaginal microflora of any healthy woman. They begin to multiply vigorously if favorable conditions appear (decreased immunity or a change in acidity in the vagina).

The main factors contributing to the pathological multiplication of candida fungi are:

metabolic disorders, for example, in diabetes mellitus;
uncontrolled intake of antibiotics and other drugs that kill beneficial bacteria;
use of unsuitable hygiene products;
frequent douching, which reduces the content of lactobacilli;
abuse of sweets, yeast dough products;
inflammatory diseases of the genitourinary organs;
changes in hormonal levels (during pregnancy, hormonal treatment or the use of hormonal contraceptives);
wearing synthetic underwear.

With thrush, abundant cheesy discharge in women is the cause of itching and burning in the genitals, frequent and painful urination, pain during intercourse.

A warning: Cheesy discharge of any kind is a pathology. Do not delay the visit to the doctor when they appear. The consequences can seriously complicate a woman's health condition.

Video: The composition of the normal microflora of the vagina

Diagnosis of diseases. Prophylaxis

To establish the cause of the appearance of cheesy leucorrhoea, a smear from the vagina is examined. Determine the type of infection. A smear is cultured to select antibiotics to which microorganisms are sensitive. Their number is specified by PCR. The blood is examined for the content of leukocytes, as well as for the hormonal composition. The localization of pathology in the genitals of a woman is determined by colposcopic examination.

In order to reduce the risk of infectious and inflammatory diseases that can cause cheesy discharge, a woman needs to strengthen her immune system, maintain a normal composition of the vaginal microflora, and avoid casual sexual intercourse. Medicines must be taken as directed by a doctor, avoiding self-medication.

The main functions of the female body are carrying a pregnancy and giving birth to a child. Therefore, you need to not only carefully take care of your health, but also consult a doctor at the first sign of discomfort. Otherwise, the body may malfunction, which will negatively affect the overall well-being. How? Elementary - curd discharge and persistent itching.

Is thrush a cause for concern?

Thrush (candidiasis) is a disease that causes a yeast-like fungus that develops instantly. The microorganism mainly affects the internal genital organs and the urinary system. During this disease, a woman feels discomfort and itching, burning and curd discharge from the genitals appear.

Before treatment, every woman must undergo a diagnosis of the disease, which consists of:

in the study of smears from the vagina
in allowing to identify the type of fungal infection

Thrush is a family disease, therefore, treatment is recommended not only for women, but also for men.

Why do curds appear

Ideally, the natural environment of the vagina prevents bacteria from growing, which can reduce the risk of infection. A secret is produced that cleans the walls and goes out in the form of secretions. But quite often the normal balance is disturbed by some factors that suppress the immune system:

Antibiotic treatment. Antibacterial drugs destroy both harmful and beneficial bacteria, which instantly affects women's health.
Contraceptive drugs. Natural hormones control the number and level of fungi. The use of hormonal pills can affect their usual level and provoke the development of thrush.
Diabetes. With this disease, sugar levels increase not only in urine and blood, but also in vaginal secretions, which provokes the development of thrush.
Infection during intercourse. Thrush is not a sexually transmitted disease, however, during sexual intercourse, the vaginal mucosa is damaged and the risk of infection increases. It is worth noting that it develops asymptomatically. Therefore, the course of treatment must be carried out with a sexual partner.

It is worth noting that curd discharge and itching may not always indicate thrush. Often, some sexually transmitted diseases manifest themselves this way - mucus appears, similar to white flakes, and severe itching and sometimes burning occurs. It is necessary to be examined and tested to exclude diseases such as chlamydia, ureaplasmosis or microplasmosis.

Symptoms indicative of candidiasis

So, let's take a closer look at the symptoms that characterize thrush.

Itching around and inside the vagina is the main symptom associated with thrush. It can manifest itself so strongly that it can irritate the skin and mucous membranes.
Painful sensations. With inflammation of the delicate mucous membrane, pain occurs during intercourse.
Curd cheese reminiscent of cottage cheese and having a characteristic unpleasant smell.
Burning sensation when urinating. Urine enters the inflamed areas of the vaginal mucosa and thereby causes a burning sensation.

How is thrush treated?

After you have passed the necessary examination, during which the type of fungal infection that caused the disease was identified, the doctor prescribes a comprehensive treatment. It primarily depends on the severity and "neglect" of the disease.

If the disease is at the initial stage, then it is enough to undergo a course of vaginal drugs: "Clotrimazole", "Terzhinan", "Klion-D", etc. They allow you to recover from thrush in 7 to 10 days. To exclude a relapse, the course of treatment is usually repeated after a month.

If the disease worsens more often 4 times a year, then it is recommended to treat with systemic drugs: Fluconazole, Diflucan or Flucostat. They are used at 150 mg once

If the disease has a severe and "neglected" form, then doctors adhere to a more complex treatment regimen, which consists in the use of vaginal and pre-oral medications.

The surface of the vagina and cervix is covered with a mucous membrane, which constantly produces a secret that serves to moisturize and self-purify. As a rule, it is odorless, transparent or unclear, slimy. By the nature and appearance of the discharge, their quantity, one can indirectly judge the health of the female genital organs.

In a culture study in healthy women and with pronounced clinical manifestations of the infectious process, the same microflora is determined. This confirms that the disease develops only with a quantitative displacement of the strains of certain microorganisms in the vagina. The exception is the dangerous pathogens of sexually transmitted diseases, which normally should not be in the body.

So the growth of fungi, under the influence of some unfavorable factors, often causes curdled discharge and itching of the vagina.

The following factors provoke a decrease in the number of lactobacilli:

pregnancy, menopause or other hormonal changes;
mechanical influences - intrauterine device, tampons, diaphragms, pessaries;
tight synthetic clothing;
first sexual contact;
spermicidal agents;
frequent douching or vaginal douches;
diabetes;
taking antibiotics, corticosteroids, oral contraceptives;
decreased immune defense reactions;
sexually transmitted infections;
oral or anal sex also contributes to the colonization of the vagina with an unusual microflora.

Treatment

The time of the visit to the doctor has been determined, what can a woman do to reduce symptoms, improve her well-being, and what to remember when visiting a pharmacy?

The use of systemic antifungal drugs should be carried out under the supervision of a physician. It is impossible to independently choose and take pills inside (Diflucan (Fluconazole), Econazole, Clotrimazole and their analogues) until the degree and cause of the disease is diagnosed. Thrush may be a marker for the presence of a more serious infection. The sexual partner is also subject to treatment. Candidiasis is not considered a genital infection, but men are carriers of fungi, often have inflammation of the glans penis, which provokes relapses of the disease in women.
The use of suppositories, topical creams, vaginal tablets with antimycotic effect gives a good result in the acute form of candidiasis only, without concomitant infections. Carriage and chronic forms of thrush cannot be treated with agents only for topical use.
Cheese discharge in women and itching are relieved by topical solutions. The drug Tantum Rose has proven itself very well. The effect and noticeable relief of symptoms of inflammation occurs 20 minutes after the introduction of the solution into the vagina.
Combined preparations (Polygynax, Neo-penotran, Klion-D, Terzhinan, Livarol) are effective when the cheesy discharge in women is accompanied by a fishy odor, a yellowish color, which indicates a concomitant bacterial infection. But at the same time, the clinical picture of the disease is disturbed, and with a dangerous pathogen, its diagnosis can be difficult or give a false negative result.
Suppression of the growth of microorganisms using broad-spectrum antibacterial agents also affects the colonies of beneficial lactobacilli. It is important not to create sterility, but to contribute to the normalization of microflora. Medications containing dried cultures of lacto and bifidobacteria are produced from strains taken from their intestines. In the vagina, they take root reluctantly. Therefore, it is much more effective to create favorable conditions for the growth of its own species of lactobacilli. For this, an effective drug Vaginorm-S with ascorbic acid has been created.

Conclusion

Only a doctor will be able to accurately determine the cause of the ailment and prescribe the correct treatment regimen. Self-medication and self-diagnosis are often erroneous, which leads to relapses, complications and serious consequences for the body.

Video: What secretions should alert women? Gynecology

Sources of

V.N. Prilepskaya, G.R. Bayramova. Vulvovaginal candidiasis: clinical and therapeutic aspects. Gynecology. 2011; 04: 47-49 Portal Consilium Medicum: