Vaginal Discharge

Problematic or abnormal vaginal discharges

If you have noticed a change in your discharge, there are many different conditions which may be responsible.

The most common include:

• Candidiasis, commonly called thrush, caused by a yeast / fungal infection. It is usually not sexually transmitted and is more common after courses of antibiotics or steroids and in women with some medical conditions e.g. diabetes. In addition to vaginal discharge some women also notice an associated itch (vaginal or vulval), or, burning on passing urine. Some women have difficulties with recurrent episodes that require special management.
• Bacterial Vaginosis is caused by an imbalance in the vaginal ecosystem. The discharge is often associated with an odour. This discharge also can become recurrent and problematic for some women.
• Sexually transmitted infections can also be associated with a discharge, sometimes associated with pain on passing urine, pelvic pain or pain when having sex.
• Atrophic vaginitis; at menopause there is usually a change in the vagina and therefore the discharge it produces. Sometimes this can cause inflammation and soreness.
• Foreign bodies such as a retained tampon