The color and consistency of your discharge can provide helpful information about your health. However, what is behind a green discharge and when you should start to worry, you will find in this article.
Table of contents
What Is Discharge Actually?
Discharge is the secretion that comes out of your vagina. The discharge consists of the liquid of the cervix and a part of the cells of the vaginal mucosa. The lactic acid bacteria it contains ensure an acidic vaginal environment. This is the only way to ward off bacteria.
In most cases, the discharge is white and odorless. The consistency depends on which phase of your cycle you are in. In some cases, however, there are exceptions: For example, you may find brown or yellow discharge.
How Do I Know If My Discharge Is Normal?
Basically, there is no “optimal” amount. The amount of discharge varies from woman to woman. It is completely normal to produce a little more discharge just before ovulation. This is because your body produces more of the female hormone estrogen during this period.
In the middle of your cycle or during your fertile days, the discharge is rather liquid and transparent. Before and after your period, the consistency is viscous and sticky in most women. If the vaginal flora is healthy, the discharge is white or even transparent.
If your discharge has peculiarities in color or consistency, it may indicate a disorder of the vaginal flora. These textures may be a sign:
- Green discharge.
- Brown discharge.
- Yellow discharge.
- Crumbly discharge.
- Foamy discharge.
- Purulent or bloody discharge.
Often these characteristics occur in combination with other complaints. Accordingly, many women often complain of itching in the intimate area, pain when urinating, redness, or an unpleasant odor.
If you have noticed a change in your discharge during pregnancy, you should see a doctor immediately. Many symptoms can indicate a bladder infection.
Green Discharge – Should I Be Worried?
As you already know, your discharge changes during your cycle. At first, this is completely normal and nothing to worry about. However, if you find a green discharge, there could be an infection behind it. Especially in combination with itching and an unpleasant odor.
In addition, a venereal disease can also be responsible for you suffering from green discharge. The possible pathogens are trichomonads or gonococci.
Green Discharge Due To A Trichomonad Infection
Your discharge is greenish in color, very thin, and smells unpleasant? In this case, it could be a trichomonad infection. The pathogens can be transmitted, for example, through unprotected sex. This leads to inflammation in the vaginal area.
Other indications of a trichomonad infection:
- Itching.
- Redness.
- Fisherman odor.
- Pain during sex.
- Pain when urinating.
Green Discharge Caused By Gonococci
Infection by gonococcus can be a sign of gonorrhea (gonorrhea). This sexually transmitted disease is among the most common in the world. The green discharge may also be purulent or have a yellowish tinge.
If you experience additional symptoms such as itching, pain when urinating, or swelling, it may be gonorrhea. The nasty pathogens affect the mucous membranes of your vagina and the bladder area.
Caution: You should have this infection treated by a doctor as soon as possible, otherwise infertility can be a consequence of the disease.
Green Discharge Due To Bacterial Vaginosis
If the infection is caused by a number of other pathogens, it is called bacterial vaginosis. In addition to green discharge, this is usually associated with an unpleasant odor, as well as a thin consistency.
The vaginal infection is caused by staphylococci, streptococci, mycoplasma, or coliform bacteria. Your gynecologist can determine whether you really have bacterial vaginosis by taking a secretion sample.
When Should I See A Doctor?
Since the green discharge is most likely an infection, you should act as soon as possible. Without treatment with medication, the infection can spread further and even spread to the internal genital organs.
The sooner a potential infection can be treated, the better.
Green Discharge: What Is The Treatment?
The type of treatment for infection depends on the pathogens used to cause it. Here you will find an overview:
Trichomonads
If an infection is caused by trichomonads, an antiparasitic treatment comes into question. This involves the use of antibiotics. These can be used in the form of tablets or vaginal cream.
Bacteria Or Fungi
If the green discharge is caused by a vaginal infection, treatment depends on the type of bacteria or fungus. A vaginal fungus is usually treated with antibiotics. Suppositories, ointments, tablets, or injections are common means of treatment.
Gonorrhea (gonorrhea)
Venereal disease is treated with two different antibiotic agents. This is because the pathogen is already resistant to some ingredients. Treatment should be given as soon as possible.
Bacterial Vaginosis
Here, too, the type of treatment is decided according to the pathogen. The antibiotic is given to you in the form of tablets, ointments, or suppositories.
Can I Prevent Green Discharge?
Even if it sounds strange at first, it is actually the case that many infections are caused by too intensive intimate care. The reason for this is that the vaginal flora is thrown out of balance by the ingredients of the care products.
The motto here is: less is more. The vagina is considered an organ that has a good self-cleaning potential. With too much washing, the vagina is not only cleaned. It also removes good bacteria.
If you have already suffered from a second infection, you should pay attention to the material of your underwear. Briefs made of 100% cotton are ideal. You should avoid synthetics as much as possible. The fabric is not very breathable and therefore promotes sweating – an ideal breeding ground for bacteria
How Bad Is Green Discharge Really?
Only your doctor can ultimately determine whether there is any danger from a green discharge. It can “only” be an infection, which in most cases runs without serious complications. However, it can also be a sexually transmitted disease such as gonorrhea. With the help of a secretion sample, your doctor can determine the pathogen and the extent of the infection.
Caution: The sooner you have green discharge treated, the better it is. In the worst case, the infection can lead to infertility.
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