In other instances, yellow discharge can be a sign of a sexually transmitted infection (STI) or a bacterial infection. Causes of yellow discharge include: Trichomoniasis, which may also cause. Cloudy or yellow: Gonorrhea: Bleeding between periods, urinary incontinence, pelvic pain: Frothy, yellow or greenish with a bad smell: Trichomoniasis: Pain and itching while urinating: Pink. If the discharge has a very slight yellow hue, it may not indicate a problem. This is especially likely if the hue only coincides with a change in diet or dietary supplements. Discharge that is a. One clue that you have an infection is a thick, yellow-white discharge. Fresh blood looks bright red, but older blood turns brown or black. If you notice spots of brown or black in your underwear.
Vaginal discharge in woman can be called as a housekeeping function in the reproductive system of women as it keeps the vagina moistened and cleaned and also helps in preventing from infections. This fluid form is made by glands inside vagina and cervix which carries away dead cells and bacteria.
The colour, texture and amount of this discharge may slightly vary throughout the menstrual cycle but it is normal as long as it is white or clear and watery. There will be more discharge if you are ovulating, breastfeeding or sexually aroused but that is again very normal! If the colour and odour of this vaginal discharge is different from the normal one then there is something which you need to get examined.
Let us take a sneak peek into various types of discharges that happen in a woman’s body!
Yellow discharge is common among women and can happen:
Yellow mucus discharge can happen to girls/women who have hit their puberty age. In unfortunate cases, if girls have undergone sexual abuse then it might hit them in early years of their lives! But in normal cases, it can happen to women of any age. Although its occurrence among girls who have newly hit puberty can be lesser but it may hit depending upon hormonal balance.
Prepubertal vaginal discharge is extremely uncomfortable and can be chronic and distressing too! Yellow discharge while pregnant, during periods and ovulation is normal if it is not bothering you with foul smell and itching.
The extent and consistency of discharge varies among women! In other words, not every girl or woman have same level of discharge. This discharge is made of natural fluids and cells produced by the body and thus differ in every woman.
The various factors which leads to this variance are:
There are several factors which can cause yellow discharge and as it is mentioned if it has bad odour and is causing itchiness and redness then that might be indicating something which needs doctor’s attention. So here are few causes of this discharge! Read on and find out what could be causing yours!
The three major STD’s that can contribute to this are:
Chlamydia: It is caused by bacteria known as Chlamydia trachomatis. It can occur in women of any age and can lead to fertility problems. If it occurs during pregnancy then it is marked by yellow discharge which keeps on darkening with time. it has a sour smell and can also cause swelling and itching of labia. This needs to be brought to the attention of doctor immediately as it might cause issues in delivery.
Trichomoniasis: A parasite known as Trichomonas vaginalis causes this disease. The main symptom is frothy yellow green vaginal discharge along with urination problems and pain during intercourse. The consistency is thick and can cause irritation in genitals.
Gonorrhea: One of the most common STD caused due to unprotected sex is Gonorrhea. It can occur in both men and women and spreads through direct contact through vagina, penis, mouth or anus! The yellowish vaginal discharge in conjunction with foul smell, bleeding, swollen vulva, burning sensation, area feels hot, painful intercourse, fever and sore throat are some of its symptoms. Immediate medical help should be sought in case of Gonorrhea especially during pregnancy as it might lead to development of fertilized egg outside the uterus.
This sort of infection may cause severe itching and burning but doesn’t cause a strong odour. Pregnant women are much more prone and exposed to the risk of developing yeast infections especially during second trimester of pregnancy i.e., during third to sixth month.Vaginal itching and woollen vulva along with yellow discharge may occur during yeast infection. The colour of this discharge varies among different women depending upon hormones stability and thus can be dark or light yellow. It is believed that during pregnancy the pH of vagina is alters which leads to growth in yeast and thus become a cause of infection. Growth of yeast can multiply in certain situations apart from pregnancy like stress, diabetes, heavy and prolonged dose of antibiotics and usage of birth control pills and condoms.
Yellow vaginal discharge may not pose health threat if it occurs before and after periods and during pregnancy. Yellow discharge with no odour is absolutely normal and should not be worried about.
But if this is caused due to bacterial, yeast infection or STD’s then it needs to be brought into attention of health expert. Since producing of mucus type discharge is normal process in a female’s body and helps in self-cleaning of vagina, it is perfectly fine to have it during your monthly cycles.
During pregnancy it can be little heavy in flow but until and unless it is not containing bad odour or leading to itchiness and redness of vagina, it is fine. Similarly if your delivery date is approaching then also you might see change in colour of discharge from clear white to yellow which should not be of much concern! Fishy smell and burning sensation is your vagina is the only alert signs!
If alteration in consistency, odour, colour and quantity of discharge is causing irritation then you should not delay seeking medical advice. Doctors review symptoms and examine yellow green discharge along with medical history to know the cause of this discharge.
If you will tend to ignore it then it might increase and can cause discomfort in intercourse which might impact your relationship. Discharge can happen to anybody and there are many causes of it, hence it is necessary to get it diagnosed before it spreads across different organs.
You are the best judge of the extent when it comes to vaginal health as you know before and after symptoms closely. Thus, it is very important to see a doctor so as to ensure that your vagina is healthy!
One of women’s most common gynecological complaints is about vaginal discharge. With dozens of commercials for “feminine hygiene products,” vaginal discharge can make you feel like a social outcast. What you probably don’t know is that most women deal with discharge: during pregnancy, before period, but most notably on a day-to-day basis.
However, most women are too embarrassed to clearly speak to their doctor about discharge, which can often have a host of undesirable results. The amount of discharge usually varies from woman to woman, as do consistency and color. In most cases, vaginal discharge appears a clear or white liquid that has either a thin or thick consistency, depending on the time in your menstrual cycle. But is light yellow discharge normal?
To cut a long story short, light yellow discharge is normal only as long as there is no odor, itchiness, redness or soreness of the vulva. Many women have light yellow vaginal discharge instead of whitish or clear discharge while some experience it during early pregnancy, or right before their period starts. In the last case (before period), the light yellow discharge no smell may be accompanied by itchiness and soreness of the vulva, which both go away once the period starts.
The consistency of the discharge varies depending on the time in your menstrual cycle. After the period ends, you will notice that the discharge is thick and white. Towards the middle of your menstrual cycle, the vaginal mucus will turn clear and liquid, with a consistency that is very similar to uncooked egg white. As your period approaches, the discharge will become white and thick again, and even slightly yellow.
If your vaginal mucus is usually clear or whitish, a change in color may be a reason of concern if accompanied by itchiness, redness, soreness, abdominal pain, and even blood stains. In most cases, light yellow vaginal discharge with odor is a symptom of vaginitis, a term that describes vaginal infections – literally, “vaginitis” means inflammation of the vagina.
The key to vaginitis is the vaginal flora, which consists of microscopic organisms, such as bacteria and yeast, which are beneficial and naturally grow in the vagina. These organisms need a certain level of acidity, moisture and estrogen to function properly, and when this balance is upset, vaginitis may result. Apart from light yellow vaginal discharge, vaginitis might also cause itchiness, soreness, redness, as well as a smelly vagina, which has a foul fishy odor.
If you experience any of the symptoms mentioned above except for the yellow vaginal discharge, you should see a doctor immediately. She will take a sample of the discharge to determine the underlying cause of the vaginitis, and even do a Pap test to exclude cervical cancer. If you aren’t suffering from yeast infection, your doctor will likely prescribe antibiotics to help restore a normal balance of the vaginal flora, fight the bacteria, and get your discharge back to normal.
Keep in mind that light yellow vaginal mucus may also be associated with early pregnancy. If you experience it while pregnant (specifically after the 37th week), then no treatment will be required.