If you are anything like me, then you have certainly been annoyed by white vaginal discharge and itching at least once in your life. Most of the time, the underlying cause of abnormal discharge is an infection, but this is not always the case. Stress, hormonal changes and even pregnancy may sometimes cause changes in the color, consistency, odor or amount of your discharge. At the time I have first experienced abnormal discharge, I was not even aware that my vagina produced that kind of secretion.
White Discharge
One of the most common complaints for which women consult gynecologists is the increase in the amount of vaginal discharge that they experience. While sometimes the discharge appears to be milky white and bears no odor, many women report the appearance of an unpleasant smell, thicker consistency and genital discomfort. White milky discharge is normal and does not necessarily indicate the presence of an infection unless it’s accompanied by other symptoms such as itching, fishy odor and burning at urination.
Vaginal discharge is an important part of the female reproductive system, and a common gynecological complaint that many women have. While it’s normal to experience vaginal discharge to some extent, an increasing number of females report white smelly discharge that’s oftentimes accompanied by additional symptoms such as itching, swelling and burning. Most of the time, these symptoms clearly indicate the presence of a vaginal infection, or vaginitis, that needs to be addressed as soon as possible.
Every woman experiences vaginal discharge to some extent throughout her life, whether it’s during sex, during ovulation or during first trimester of pregnancy. While the amount of discharge is not necessarily concerning, the presence of a bad odor, abnormal color or genital discomfort usually indicate that you have an infection. In order to avoid wrongly diagnosing the underlying cause of the discharge, you need to understand how your body works, and what role vaginal mucus really plays.