White discharge and itching

Such unpleasant symptoms, such as white discharge and itching, can be caused by infections, including - transmitted mainly through sexual contact, as well as some gynecological diseases.

Causes of the white discharge and itching

In normal vaginal discharge transparent, consisting of vaginal secretion and cervical mucus produced by the glands of the vagina (vagina) and cervix (cervix uteri). Depending on the period of a woman's menstrual cycle (estrogen levels), their quantity and consistency may vary, but they do not irritate the genitals or cause itching. Lactic acid-producing Gram-positive bacteria of the normal vaginal microflora - Lactobacillus spp. Or Doderlein's bacilli - create a physiologically acidic environment and maintain the necessary vaginal pH (approximately 3.8-4.4), protecting the genitals from pathogens.

If women have such symptoms as genital itching and white discharge, it is necessary to consult a gynecologist: it is possible to determine the true causes of such discharge and itching in the vagina only during a medical examination.

It should be borne in mind that, first, itching and white discharge in women with hypersensitivity to the components of the used vaginal suppositories can be discharge after the use of suppositories. Such a reaction with irritation of the vaginal mucosa can be provoked by chemical substances contained in detergents, hygienic and topical contraceptives, lubricants, solutions for sprays, etc.

Second, there is a good chance that the delayed period, white discharge and itching are related to pregnancy - provided the woman has vaginal infections. Vaginal discharge is usually increased due to higher estrogen levels and greater vaginal blood flow. A whitish and variable consistency of leukorrhea (discharge) in pregnancy is not a sign of disease unless the discharge is accompanied by itching, burning, foul odor or swelling of the lips.

Read more in the publication - Early pregnancy discharge

In most cases, white discharge, itching and burning (especially after urination) are manifestations of infection. Thus, the first signs of fungal vaginal infection caused by fungi Candida (candida) - white curdy discharge and itching. This condition is called thrush, vaginal candidiasis, candidal vaginitis or candidal vulvovaginitis. [1]

More information in the story - Curd discharge and other symptoms

In addition, similar to thrush, white discharge, lumps and itching in the genital area appear in cytolytic vaginosis - syndrome of excessive growth of lactobacilli or cytolysis Doderlein. [2]

Yellowish with a touch of pus or white discharge with odor and itching, pain in the vagina and lower abdomen, with bleeding between menstrual periods are among the symptoms of urogenital chlamydia. [3]

Moderate to severe itching and white discharge, which may be gray or slightly yellowed, appear in cases of vaginal inflammation when infected by other pathogenic bacteria as well as Mycoplsma hominis. The diagnosis can then be defined as bacterial vaginosis. [4]

If women have symptoms such as greenish vaginal discharge with a pus-like exudate, thick white discharge and itching of the clitoris and vaginal vestibule, swelling of the external genitalia, pain during intercourse (and in some cases bleeding afterwards), we may be talking about sexually transmitted gonorrhea. [5]

Leukorrhea accompanied by itching - abundant white discharge and itching - often indicates vaginitis (colpitis) - an inflammatory process of the mucous membranes of the vagina, and in rare cases - the presence of pathological changes in the cervical tissues in cervical metaplasia. [6]

Vaginal discharge in women at menopause, when estrogen levels decrease and vaginal pH may change to a neutral ˃5. And against this background, dry, itchy and white discharge (very limited), redness and burning of the mucous membranes may indicate atrophic vaginitis. [7]

Itching and white discharge in men can also be due to fungal infection - in urogenital candidiasis.

More information - Male thrush

Also male urethral discharge appears in bacterial infections, including: trichomonad urethritis, [8] urogenital mycoplasmosis, [9] gonorrhea. In genitourinary syphilis there is redness in the genital area, itching of the head of the penis, and white discharge. [10]

But the white creamy discharge under the foreskin and the itching that can occur with inadequate hygiene - this is the accumulation of smegma, which is a secret that is produced by the sebaceous glands under the inner leaf of the foreskin.

More information in the story - Male discharge and other symptoms

Risk factors

Factors predisposing to the overgrowth of fungal infection and bacterial pathogens in the vagina are:

• poor hygiene;
• unprotected sex and STD infection - sexually transmitted infections;
• use of antibiotics that depress the lactobacilli of the normal vaginal microflora;
• A shift in vaginal pH to an alkaline side and an associated decrease in Doderlein bacilli vaginal dysbiosis in menopause;
• Frequent sprays;
• decrease in immunity of various etiologies, including physiologic immunosuppression in pregnancy;
• diabetes.

Pathogenesis

In diseases that manifest the above symptoms, the pathogenesis is explained by the action of infection - fungal or bacterial.

In the case of thrush, it is the anamorphic yeast-like saccharomycete fungus Candida albicans, which affects tissues by adhesion of yeast cells to vaginal epithelial cells. Subsequent multiplication of the fungus in the form of colonies leads to the death of mucosal cells and their rejection.

When urogenital chlamydia develops, the mucous membranes are invaded by chlamydia (Chlamydia trachomatis bacteria), which bind to membrane receptors of cells and penetrate them, causing an inflammatory response.

In gonococci (Neisseria gonorrhoeae), the causative agents of gonorrhea, special villi help to colonize the cells of the columnar epithelium of the mucous membrane. Bacterial invasion leads to a local inflammatory reaction with the formation of exudate containing pus. In addition, bacterial endotoxins directly damage epithelial cells.

The mechanism of itching in thrush, bacterial vaginosis and STDs is that histamine, a biogenic amine released from damaged mastocytes (mast cells), a mediator of reactions such as itching and redness, begins to act on the histamine receptors of mucosal epithelial cells.

Epidemiology

As a rule, separate statistics regarding the symptomatology of diseases are not kept, but experts note that vaginal discharge is the most frequent gynecological symptom in women of reproductive age, and at least one case of symptomatic vaginitis in their lives is approximately 70-75% of women.

Diagnostics of the white discharge and itching

Diagnosis of women is done by a gynecologist and men by a urologist. It includes physical examination, history taking, and laboratory tests.

Blood tests are needed: general and biochemical; for antibodies to pathogenic bacteria that cause STDs.

It is mandatory to perform microbiological and bacterioscopic examination of vaginal discharge, as well as analysis of microflora from the vagina, for which a smear from the cervical canal is taken.

For male patients, a examination of the urethral discharge is required.

Instrumental diagnosis may be limited to colposcopy and pelvic ultrasound.

To determine the specific infection or identify other pathology of non-infectious etiology, differential diagnosis is carried out.

Treatment of the white discharge and itching

Etiologic and symptomatic treatment consists of the use of medications appropriate to the underlying diagnosis.

That is, medications in various forms (tablets, capsules, suppositories) are prescribed depending on the infection - antibiotics or antifungals. Read more in the publications:

• Mammary suppositories
• Pills for thrush
• Effective treatment of thrush with creams, gels and suppositories
• Treatment of thrush in men
• Vaginal discharge suppositories
• Treatment of bacterial vaginosis
• Vaginal suppositories for infections
• Gonorrhea treatment

To relieve severe itching, doctors prescribe antihistamines for oral administration.

For those who prefer herbal treatment, it is recommended to use such medicinal plants as chamomile, calendula, St. John's wort, plantain, lupchatka erectus, arnica, and white milkwort. Use decoctions of these plants for vaginal syringes and genital wash. Details in the article - Spritzing with thrush

Complications and consequences

The symptoms under consideration are manifestations of various infections and diseases that can give complications and have certain negative effects on the genitourinary system, and in women - and on the organs of the reproductive system.

For example, due to recurrent thrush (recurrent candidal vaginitis), the fungal infection can infect the cervical tissue and lead to candidal cervicitis; this, in turn, can cause the cervix to become narrowed and cause infertility.

If Candida albicans spreads to the foreskin tissue in men, candida balanoposthitis can occur. The prostate gland and ejaculatory ducts may also be affected, leading to erectile dysfunction. Occasionally, if the immune system is significantly weakened, invasive candidiasis may develop, i.e. The spread of the fungus throughout the body, affecting various organs.

Chlamydia can lead to inflammation of the cervix, endometrium and fallopian tubes. Complications of bacterial vaginosis include inflammation of the bladder and urethra, endometritis, inflammation of the fallopian tubes and even part of the peritoneum that covers them, and purulent inflammation of the ovaries. In pregnant women, the consequences and complications of vaginosis of bacterial origin can manifest themselves in spontaneous abortion in late pregnancy or premature labor.

Prevention

Basic prevention focuses on infections that are transmitted through sexual contact, read:

• STD prevention methods
• STDs against which vaccine prophylaxis is given

You should also avoid spaying, which can destroy beneficial bacteria that prevent vaginal infections, and wear cotton underwear, which allows for moisture absorption and can prevent fungal infections.

And we also need to remember that cleanliness (personal hygiene) still promotes health.

Forecast

The prognosis for symptoms such as white discharge and itching depends on the success of treating the conditions that cause them.