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Green vaginal discharge: causes

by Alivia Nyhan
Published: Last Updated on
Green vaginal discharge

Vaginal discharge is a liquid that the glands of the cervix and vagina secrete to keep the intimate area well moisturized, clean and healthy, away from those microorganisms that can cause infections. Vaginal discharge can vary in consistency, color, and odor, these being clear indications of the presence of an underlying health problem. When the discharge, for example, acquires a greenish hue, it indicates the suffering of some vaginal infection, which requires early medical treatment to cure and avoid complications that could endanger women’s reproductive health. In the following FastlyHealarticle, we delve into this question and show you the most common causes of green vaginal discharge.

Characteristics of normal vaginal discharge

The vaginal discharge plays a significant role in the female body. It helps maintain a healthy environment in the vagina, favors cleaning this, and protects against possible infections that may develop. It is important to note that a normal vaginal discharge is usually straightforward, transparent, or with a whitish color on some occasions, without a bad smell. Its texture and consistency can vary from one woman to another and from the time of the month. It is most abundant right in the middle of the menstrual cycle and thickest and most productive during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

You should remain attentive to any significant change that the vaginal discharge presents and see the gynecologist immediately if it is yellow, grayish, or greenish. It also shows if it gives off a foul smell or there is the presence of blood. In addition to this, you should also consult your doctor if abnormal vaginal discharge is accompanied by symptoms such as irritation, itching, or burning in the vaginal area.

Trichomoniasis, cause of yellow-green discharge

Trichomoniasis is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) that can cause segregation of a yellowish or greenish discharge in the case of women. This infection is caused by a parasite called Trichomonas vaginalis and can be contracted by having sex with an infected person.

When the infection has symptoms, these include a yellow or green foamy vaginal discharge with a bad smell, similar to fish. In addition, redness, itching and burning in the vagina, discomfort when urinating, pain during intercourse, and swelling of the labia are common.

Antibiotic treatment is necessary to completely cure trichomoniasis and avoid sexual intercourse until treatment is complete. In addition, the infected person’s partner must undergo the appropriate tests and be also treated if necessary.

You can expand the information about this disease by consulting the article Trichomoniasis: symptoms and treatment.

Trichomoniasis

Gonorrhea, STD that causes green flow

Continuing with STDs, another one that can cause a green discharge is gonorrheaIn this case, the person responsible for the infection is a bacterium called Neisseria gonorrhoeae, which can be spread during any sexual practice.

The symptoms of gonorrhea in women include greenish or yellowish vaginal discharge with a bad smell, pain and burning when urinating, discomfort during sexual intercourse, and pain in the lower abdomen.

It is essential to treat gonorrhea early with antibiotic drugs to avoid possible complications such as chronic pelvic pain, infertility, pelvic inflammatory disease, or ectopic pregnancy.

Chlamydia another STD that causes yellow or green discharge

Among the possible causes of green vaginal discharge is chlamydia, another sexually transmitted disease caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis. That can severely affect the health of the female reproductive system if it is not treated as required.

Women with chlamydia who present with symptoms may experience an abnormal yellow or green discharge, painful urination and frequent urination, painful intercourse, abnormal vaginal bleeding between periods, abdominal and rectal pain, and a feeling of swelling inside the vagina. Vagina or around the anus.

Faced with such symptoms, starting an antibiotic treatment that destroys the bacteria responsible for the infection will be necessary. In addition, follow-up medical visits should be carried out after the completion of treatment.

It is essential to remember that the only sure way to prevent this type of venereal disease is by using a condom when having sexual intercourse, whether vaginal, anal, or oral.

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)

On some occasions, the suffering of sexually transmitted infections such as the above can lead to complications and pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), inflammation, and condition of the uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes. This is usually caused by some bacterial infection that has started in the vagina and the cervix and that later has spread, affecting the aforementioned reproductive organs.

PID is generally caused by chlamydia or gonorrhea, but it can also arise from bacteria entering a woman’s body during IUD insertion, abortion, or when performing an endometrial biopsy.

In addition to yellow or green vaginal discharge, PID often causes lower abdominal pain, fever, discomfort, bleeding during intercourse, pain, and burning during urination. You can also have nausea and vomiting, weakness, loss of appetite, and irregular menstruation.

It should be treated with antibiotic medications, and surgery will only be necessary in those cases of greater severity in which an abscess of the ovaries or fallopian tubes occurs.

Bacterial vaginosis, common vaginal infection

Finally, another cause of green vaginal discharge can be bacterial vaginosis, a widespread mild infection among women that is caused by an overgrowth of bacteria in the vagina. Although the exact causes are unknown, it has been suggested that there is an increased risk of developing it if aggressive vaginal douches are carried out or if you have multiple sexual partners.

The main symptoms of bacterial vaginosis include a transparent or greenish discharge after sexual intercourse, a strong fish-like odor, vaginal itching and irritation, discomfort when urinating, and swelling of the labia majora.

After analyzing a sample of the vaginal discharge, antibiotic treatment should be started to eliminate the infection.

Bacterial vaginosis

This article is merely informative. At FastlyHeal .com, we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any condition or discomfort.

If you want to read more articles similar to Green vaginal discharge: causes, we recommend that you enter our category of Female reproductive system.

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