Even though it is normal to have a clear discharge from time to time. If you are having a white vaginal discharge then you have an infection.
A clear discharge helps to clean, lubricate and keep the vagina free of germs. Most often this will happen before and after your menstrual period.
A normal clear discharge may change in consistency and appearance for certain reasons. It could be that you are ovulating, pregnant, or breastfeeding. The ph level in your vagina could be upset also causing a normal discharge to appear different. This could result from deodorant soaps, douching, or perfume body sprays.
A white vaginal discharge is most commonly associated with symptoms of a yeast infection. This can be different consistency for everybody from very thin to extremely thick. However a light yellow to dark yellow almost brown discharge means you most likely have a bacterial infection.
Usually the severity of the infection will determine the depth and texture of the white vaginal discharge. A thin discharge is probably a mild infection with a major infection having the Constancy of cottage cheese. A mild infection may clear up extremely easy but a heavy white vaginal discharge could mean your dealing with a major candida overgrowth.
Sometimes if the infection is very severe, you may even experience a thick white discharge with blue specks in it. This type of discharge almost looks like crumbled blue cheese. I know, gross right? After all, yeast is a mold or fungus!
This is definitely symptoms of a yeast infection that needs immediate attention. A good way to tell if a male may have an infection (even if no symptoms) is in his semen. Normally it is thin and clear, but if it is thick and white, this may be an indication that he may be carrying the germ. It is always a good idea to have your spouse treated at the same time, even if they’re showing no symptoms. Usually a male does not show symptoms unless their immune system is compromised. Otherwise they carry the germ and think that they are OK.
Sometimes it can be hard to determine which type of discharge you have. Discharge can be normal and abnormal, and the discharge of a yeast infection may mimic bacterial infection symptoms.
Really the best thing to do is just examine the discharge to tell you which one without a doubt. If it is a all white vaginal discharge that may smell a little yeasty to no smell at all, then it’s defiantly a yeast infection. If your discharge has a yellow to brownish color with a bad odor, then you are dealing with a bacterial infection. And finally if it is clear to slightly cloudy and thin, then this is probably perfectly normal and have nothing to worry about.
You can reduce the intensity of your normal discharge by remembering to always wipe form front to back to prevent the spread of bacteria and to wear loose clothing with cotton underwear.
These are some tips in preventing abnormal discharge-change out of wet clothes or swimsuits as soon as possible, bath before and after sexual intercourse or a vigorous workout, and keep the moisture level down as much as possible.
