White discharge, medically called leucorrhoea, is normal vaginal secretion in women. Thick, creamy, yellow or fragrant, before or during menstruation… Types of losses and causes with our gynecologist.
White discharge is vaginal discharge perfectly natural for women. They are whitish or transparent and occur from the onset of the first period until menopause. Do not neglect their appearance, their color and their smell because they can reveal a health problem. What if they are too abundant? Liquid or on the contrary “creamy” ? Yellow? Fragrant? Aspects, colors, treatments and advice from Dr Philippe Deruelle, gynecologist and general secretary of the National College of French Gynecologists and Obstetricians (CNGOF).
“The scientific term for white discharge is “leucorrhea” : it is a transparent to white physiological mucus“, explains Philippe Deruelle, gynecologist and secretary general of the National College of French Gynecologists and Obstetricians (CNGOF). “All women have white dischargewhich vary in quantity and texture between people and according to the period of the hormonal cycle“, he specifies.
White discharge is made inside the cervix. They are often more abundant around the 14th day of the cycle, at the time of ovulation. They allow the vagina to lubricate itself. Often, during pregnancy, they are more important. Having more white discharge is therefore not worrying.
White discharge can vary in appearance. They can be more abundant, colored or more or less thick.
► yellow losses : if they become yellowish, particularly associated with burning or itching: this is a sign of an infection.
► Milky white discharge : if they are very white and look like curdled milkthis can be a sign of a yeast infection.
► Smelly white discharge : if they become greenish and have an unpleasant odor (often associated with the smell of fish), this reveals an imbalance in the vaginal flora called vaginosis. The “good” bacteria in the vagina are too few. It can also be an STI such as a trichomonas infection.
► Thick, creamy white discharge : if they tend to become more abundant, denser and grainier, especially with whitish clots and are associated with itching, this may be a sign of a vaginitis.
► Abundant white discharge : the losses vary in quantity according to the women. It depends on the secretion of estrogen. If you notice that they are very abundant, that they moisten or stain your underwear, talk to your doctor or your gynecologist. It can be a inadequate contraception for example. If the discharge is grayish and smelly, it can also be an imbalance in the vaginal bacterial flora that leads to vaginosis, for example.
If the losses seem to you abnormal compared to your habits or more abundant, do not hesitate to consult. Without alarming you: most of the time, changes in the mucus are due to hormonal changes or a completely benign pathology. If you feel any pain, burning, itching or abnormal odors, go see a healthcare professional. Do not panic at the thought of a tumor of the vagina: they are very rare, moreover in general, they do not cause more white discharge. The people most at risk are the elderly.
There is no treatment for white discharge, as it is natural. In the event of a pathology (mycosis, vaginosis, etc.), your doctor will prescribe a prescription treatment. It is important not to have too many intimate toilets, two per day maximum. “Avoid douching and preferably use a neutral PH soap“, advises gynecologist Philippe Deruelle. It is also advisable to wear cotton underwear.
Thanks to Dr Philippe Deruelle, gynecologist and secretary general of the National College of French Gynecologists and Obstetricians (CNGOF).