Delicate Zone Committee #02_Concerns about Vaginal Discharge

Who is Dr. Sakie?
- born in 1966
- Worked at Gynecology in Nagoya National Hospital(currently Nagoya Medical Center) in accordance with 3 convictions: Sofly, Gently and Painlessly.
- Also worked at a public health center in Nagoya studying high-risk pregnancy and childbirth.
- Since 2002, Dr. Sakie has been working at Sakie Women’s Clinic to listen to patiens’ concerns placidly. As a representative of Sakie Women’s Clinic, she consults adolescnets and teaches about sex. Dr. Sakie’s specialty is treatments for dyspareunia and unpleasant odor.

Q. Do you know what vaginal discharge is? It would be difficult for almost all of us to answer when we’re questioned about it. We did not hear about what vaginal discharge is enough when we’re children. Even it was hard for us to learn about it sex education at school or from mum.

A. Having vaginal discharge is just normal for women. Vaginal discharge is a collective term for cervical canal secretion and aged vaginal wall cell. It would be easy to understand why we have vaginal discharge when we think about the reason why we have sleep in our eyes. Just keep in mind that vaginal discharge is not anything you have to worry about at all. As I mentioned earlier, it is just NORMAL for women.

However, the amount of vaginal discharge varies. Somebody has heavy discharge, and somebody doesn’t. If you have produced heavy discharge from your 1st period, that amount is just normal for you. However, if your discharge changes its colors, smells bad or the amount increase (or decreases) suddenly, you need to check your health.

Q. Does the amount of vaginal discharge vary as we age?

A. Women’s metabolism is subject to female hormone. Young women who have a fast metabolism usually have heavier vaginal discharge. When metabolism slows down and female hormone decreases, the amount of vaginal discharge decreases as well. When a woman completed the menopause transition, vaginal discharge would be just a thing of the past.

If your vaginal discharge decreased recently, there is high probability of female hormone decrease. On the other hand, if you have heavy vaginal discharge, you might have lots of trouble s on your delicate area such as unpleasant odor or itching due to humidity from the discharge.

If you are about in your 40’s, it is highly recommended for you to go to see a doctor to check vaginal infection when your vaginal discharge seeps through your underwear or pants. Normally, the amount of vaginal discharge tends to decrease as we age. So, if the amount increases suddenly medical check-up is necessary.

Q. Is it necessary to check the color of my vaginal discharge?

A. Of course! You should check your vaginal discharge color carefully. Clear, white or white-ish color means your vaginal health is OK. However, if your vaginal discharge looks like white cottage cheese, you have to see a doctor immediately. Thick and cheesy vaginal discharge can be a symptom of candida vaginitis.

If your vaginal discharge is yellow or greenish, it is highly possible that harmful bacteria overgrow due to lowered immunity of vagina.

Also, you should see a doctor if your vaginal discharge is brown or pink color. Cervical cancer can be suspected in this case.

TIP! Self-Check List

• Vaginal Discharge Color
  Possible Causes
• Transparent, White
  Normal
• Yellow, Green
  Harmful bacteria's overgrowth
• Brown, Pink
  Urgent medical check-up needed
• Cheesy(white cottage cheese)
  Candida vaginitis(highly possible)

Q. Is there anything I can do to keep my vagina healthy in my everyday life? For example, my eating habits can affect my vaginal discharge?

A. The importance of having a healthy diet cannot be emphasized enough. Irregular lifestyle and unbalanced diet are one of the fastest ways to cause condition disorder. Condition disorder is not helpful for healthy vaginal environment and followed by harmful bacteria overgrowth.

In addition, avoid having too much snacks or instant food due to your busy life. On the contrary, having soy bean products and/or plan-based diet is highly recommended. As is well known, soy bean products are rich in isoflavones, estrogen-mimicking plant compounds.