Yellow discharge: what are its causes and when is it a sign of pregnancy?
Monday, January 9, 2023
Vaginal discharge is a liquid or mucus that keeps the vagina clean and moist and protects it from infection. A change in the color of these secretions, including yellow secretions, can indicate a health problem. In this article, learn about the causes of yellow secretions, their treatment, and tips for preventing them.
yellow secretions
What is it yellow secretions?
The glands inside the vagina and cervix secrete a fluid (vaginal secretions) that works to transport dead cells and bacteria out of the body, which keeps the vagina clean and moist and helps prevent the spread of infection. The amount and color of these secretions can vary, as they are divided into:
1. Normal secretions
Normal vaginal discharge is odorless and clear or white in color.
2. Abnormal (pathological) secretions
Vaginal discharge can change in odor, color, or texture and may be associated with symptoms such as itching or irritation due to an infection. Vaginal discharge is abnormal if it:
- Thick and white, like cheese.
- Greenish and foul-smelling.
- Yellow, pink or brown in colour.
Yellow discharge may be a sign of a condition such as chlamydia, cervical cancer, or trichomoniasis.
aCauses of yellow secretions
Causes of yellow discharge include:
1. Health problems
Yellow discharge can be a sign of health problems, including pelvic inflammatory disease, which is an infection that occurs when bacteria pass from the vagina into the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries. It is mostly caused by sexually transmitted diseases, such as gonorrhea.
Chlamydia, a common sexually transmitted bacterial disease that results in a yellow discharge with a strong foul odor, may cause trichomoniasis (a sexually transmitted infection caused by a parasite) that can also cause yellow discharge.
Yellow secretions are also produced in cases of cervical cancer and pelvic inflammatory disease.
2. Use of certain medications that raise estrogen
Natural changes in estrogen levels lead to the production of vaginal secretions in most women. When estrogen levels are high, the estrogen hormone stimulates the cervix to produce mucus, so using medications that raise estrogen increases the amount of secretions.
3. Vaginitis
Vaginal infections are divided into infections caused by bacteria, viruses, or yeast. These infections cause burning with urination, itching outside the vagina, and abnormal secretions that may be yellow or green, which may also occur due to vaginal irritation due to the use of sprays or chemicals.
4. The menstrual cycle
During the menstrual cycle, the vagina produces a lot of mucus. When the menstrual period approaches, transparent secretions or some yellow secretions may come out of the vagina, which are mostly odorless and itchy. These yellow secretions are caused by the mixing of menstrual blood with mucus from the vagina.
5. Changing the dietary pattern
Yellow vaginal discharge can be caused by a change in diet, such as adding some vitamins to your diet or eating different foods than usual.
Treatment of yellow secretions from the vagina
The method of treatment depends on the cause of the problem. Yeast infections are usually treated with antifungal medications inserted into the vagina (cream or gel). Bacterial vaginosis is treated by taking antibiotic pills or creams. Trichomoniasis is usually treated with antibiotics.
reason andTreatment of yellow secretions in young girls
Itching and vaginal secretions are among the most common problems that girls suffer from before puberty, as the color, smell, and consistency of the secretions can vary. The vaginal secretions of young children are characterized by their small quantities, their clear, transparent white color, and they are not accompanied by any odors. Yellow discharge in young girls may indicate some problems.
According to some studies Discharge in children can be caused by infections, including bacterial infections, or parasitic infections such as pinworms (parasitic infections that mainly affect children).
Chemicals in some products, such as perfumes, can also irritate yellow vaginal discharge.
Read also: Bacterial vaginosis: which age group is most susceptible to it?
Tips for preventing yellow secretions
Here are some tips for preventing yellow vaginal discharge:
- Keeping the vagina clean by washing with water only, or a gentle soap, taking care not to put it inside the vagina.
- Avoid using scented soaps and chemical products that contain perfume.
- Adopt cotton underwear.
- It is important to clean the area after using the bathroom, and to wipe (from front to back) to avoid bacteria entering the vagina and causing infection.
- In the event that one of the partners is infected with a sexually transmitted disease or infection, please take safe sex precautions.
Yellow discharge and pregnancy
Yellow discharge during pregnancy can be a sign of an infection, such as a yeast infection, bacterial vaginosis, trichomoniasis, or chlamydia. It can also occur with the shedding of the mucous plug, or with amniotic fluid leakage (a nutritional fluid found inside the amniotic sac in a woman’s uterus that protects the fetus).
This type of discharge can appear with other symptoms, such as a foul odor, itching of the genitals, or pain or burning when urinating. If you notice these symptoms to avoid complications in pregnancy.
Are yellow secretions during pregnancy normal?
It is always important to watch out for any discharge that looks different than usual during pregnancy. If the discharge is a sign of a vaginal infection, it can potentially lead to pregnancy complications.
Mostly, natural secretions during pregnancy are clear or white in color, and in some cases they tend to be yellowish, and they are usually a bit sticky; It should not have a noticeable odor, but in cases where the secretions are yellow, this may indicate an infection that requires treatment.
Is yellow discharge before menstruation a sign of pregnancy?
Vaginal discharge is generally not a sign of pregnancy, but in the early days of pregnancy, you may notice some light spotting (implantation bleeding). This can happen when the fertilized egg implants in the lining of the uterus. At the beginning of pregnancy, these secretions are pink, lighter in color than normal menstrual blood.
It is important to see a doctor if abnormal discharge or discomfort is present, to determine the underlying condition, and provide a comprehensive treatment plan.
Also read: Bacterial vaginosis: which age group is most susceptible to it?
