Vaginitis - Symptoms
Normal vaginal discharge is white in color, thin or thick in nature, odorless and is not associated with itching or burning. Any change in this could indicate a problem.
The abnormal changes in the discharge could indicate a change in any of the following -
- Color - The discharge may be gray, yellow or green in color.
- Nature - The vaginal discharge may have a white, ‘cottage cheese’ like appearance or may be blood stained.
- Odor - The discharge may have an unpleasant ‘fishy’ odor.
- Quantity - The quantity of the discharge may be high. The discharge may be associated with symptoms such as-
- Itching
- Burning
- Redness
a. Symptoms of Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) - Bacterial Vaginosis results from an overgrowth of one of several organisms that are normally present in the vagina. Many women may remain asymptomatic.
The vaginal discharge in case of Bacterial Vaginosis has the following features -
- Unpleasant and fishy odor (Most characteristic feature-copious in amount)
- Grayish color
- Foamy or frothy in nature
- Vulvar or vaginal irritation
“You know what it smells like when someone takes off his shoes and has bad foot odor? Well, I feel like I smell like that all the time!” —Tokeshana, 32, who’s been battling BV for a year
b. Symptoms of Yeast Infections (Candidiasis)
The common symptoms of Candidiasis include -
- Thick and curdy white discharge, resembling cottage cheese.
- Intense Vaginal / vulval itching and burning.
- Local irritation and reddening.
- The discharge lacks a foul smell.
The predisposing factors for Candidiasis are:
- Diabetes
- Antibiotic therapy
- Pregnancy
- Oral contraceptives
c. Symptoms of Trichomoniasis
The common symptoms of Trichomoniasis are:-
- Greenish yellow, foamy vaginal discharge.
- Vaginal soreness, burning and itching.
- Painful intercourse.
- Burning on urination.
d. Symptoms of post-menopausal Vaginitis
The common symptoms are:-
- Itching
- Burning
- Soreness in the vaginal region
- Thin vaginal discharge, which may be blood tinged.
| Characteristic of Vaginal Discharge | Likely Condition |
| Frothy, thin and profuse greenish yellow foul frothy smelling discharge | Trichomoniasis |
| Profuse white curd like discharge | Candidiasis |
| Foul smelling grayish thin discharge | Bacterial Vaginosis |
| Watery thin and Scanty discharge in post-menopausal women | Atrophic Vaginitis |
| Profuse mucoid discharge | Genital Herpes |
| Yellow mucus and pus mixed discharge | Chlamydial Infection |
