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All About Women

A patient-centered practice for all stages of a woman's life

Gainesville, FL (352) 331-3332
6440 W Newberry Rd, Ste 111

Lake City, FL (386) 754-1744
4447 NW American Ln, Ste 102

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Blog / Women's Health Awareness / Vaginal Discharge: Causes and Abnormalities

Vaginal Discharge: Causes and Abnormalities

February 13, 2017 By Site Admin

medical advice on vaginal discharge

Vaginal discharge is nothing to worry about. In fact, it’s actually very beneficial because it helps keep your vaginal area clean and healthy.

WebMD explains, “Fluid made by glands inside the vagina and cervix carries away dead cells and bacteria. This keeps the vagina clean and prevents infection.”

While the amount and color of discharge can vary depending on your menstrual cycle, pregnancy and other factors, it is almost always considered “normal.” There are times, however, when discharge can become abnormal and you should see a doctor.

What Causes Vaginal Discharge?

Most women continually have some amount of vaginal discharge. It’s meant to protect you from developing an infection and keep the area clean. Regular vaginal discharge is usually white or clear and may increase in volume if you’re sexually aroused, ovulating, exercising or breastfeeding. It’s also common to have brown discharge right before or right after your menstrual cycle.

Vaginal discharge can also be caused by:

  • Antibiotics
  • Birth control
  • Sexually transmitted infections or diseases (STIs or STDs)
  • Diabetes
  • Douching
  • Vaginitis
  • Yeast infections

When Is Vaginal Discharge Abnormal?

Some colors, odors and textures of vaginal discharge are abnormal. Luckily, it should be fairly obvious when something isn’t right down there.

Clumpy, white discharge that resembles cottage cheese usually signals a yeast infection. This will typically be accompanied by itching and/or pain in your vaginal area.

If your discharge is yellow or green with a foul smell, you may have trichomoniasis, a parasitic infection that’s usually passed through unprotected sex.

Gray, white or yellow discharge with an obviously fishy smell may signal bacterial vaginosis. This bacterial infection is very common and easily treated with antibiotics.

In rare cases vaginal discharge can signal more serious problems such as cervical cancer, so it’s important to talk to your gynecologist if you experience unusual discharge or have concerns about your vaginal health.

At All About Women, we want to help you find answers to any questions or concerns about your health. Contact us today if you live in Gainesville or Lake City to schedule an appointment.

Further Reading: I Have a Yeast Infection. Should I Go to the Doctor?

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Filed Under: Women's Health Awareness Tagged With: gynecology, menstrual cycle, Well Woman care

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Contact Us With Any Questions

All About Women Obstetrics and Gynecology – Gainesville

Gainesville
6440 W Newberry Rd, Ste 111
Gainesville, FL 32605
(352) 331-3332


All About Women Obstetrics and Gynecology – Lake Cit

Lake City
4447 NW American Ln, Ste 102
Lake City, FL 32055
(386) 754-1744


 

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Gainesville and Lake City OB/GYN Care
OB/GYN doctors at All About Women, Obstetrics & Gynecology offer personalized, technologically advanced obstetrics and gynecology services from Board Certified OB/GYB physicians. Besides expert women's healthcare, permanent birth control and prenatal care, OB/GYN doctors also offers advanced hysterectomy surgery in and around the Gainesville area.


Women's Health Care in Alachua & Columbia Counties
With offices in Gainesville and Lake City, Florida, All About Women, M.D. provides expert OB/GYN services covering the entire range of women's healthcare needs. Our OB/GYN physicians and nurse midwives provide expert care during pregnancy as well as state of the art in-office treatments for gynecologic disorders including Novasure endometrial ablation to treat/stop heavy menstrual bleeding.


Personalized & Expert Prenatal Care
Gainesville obstetricians at All About Women, M.D. help ensure pregnancy goes as smoothly as possible by offering the best prenatal care available. And for those having difficulty getting pregnant, AAW obstetricians and gynecologists offer couples the best infertility help and treatment available.


Advanced Minimally Invasive Surgery: daVinci Surgical System
Clinic founder Dr. Anthony Agrios, Board Certified Obstetrician and Gynecologist also specializes in the daVinci Robotic surgery system, a minimally invasive option commonly used for a hysterectomy and other procedures. Instead of creating several small incisions like traditional surgical methods, OB/GYN surgeons simply open one incision with the daVinci system to complete the procedure. Not only do patients experience less pain and blood loss, they recover and get back to normal much faster.


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Infertility & Reproduction Health: Infertility Treatment : Permanent Birth Control

Women's Health: Preventive Care : Well Women Care : Mammogram Screenings : Abnormal Periods

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