A Quick Overview on Vaginal Cancer

Discharge coming from the vagina refers to any substances flowing out of it. This release of fluid is generally normal among the female populace. Vaginal discharge is typical when the woman reaches the age when she is capable of bearing a child. The source of discharge originates from the cervix glands that generate filmy mucus. This mucus, upon being released from the body, may change its color either from whitish to yellowish.

These vaginal secretions, though considered normal releases for women, may differ in terms of color, odor, amount and consistency. The color of a vaginal discharge may be transparent or hazy. If you’re sick, the discharge’s color may change to gray, yellow or white. The odor of the discharge can be normal or odorless. If the vagina releases a foul-smelling discharge, then you are likely suffering from a certain disease. There might be situations when the quantity increases or decreases and is dependent on the estrogen level in the body. As to consistency, the quality of the flow may be thick or thin. Sometimes, it can also be paste-like.
Normal and Abnormal Vaginal Discharge
The discharge flowing out of the vagina can be classified into two types - normal and abnormal.

Causes of Normal Discharge
Transparent or cloudy white substances characterize normal discharge. These are commonly an effect of:
  • 1. Ovulation - this occurs when during your menstrual period, an egg produced from your ovary is still released into the system
  • 2. Stress - emotional stress has the tendency to increase the quantity of discharge
  • 3. Pregnancy
  • 4. Sexual stimulation
  • 5. Medications
Causes of Abnormal Discharge
Abnormal discharge is marked by any change in the usual color or amount of released fluids from the vagina. These results from:
1. Vaginal infections or Vaginosis - the three types of this condition is bound to lead you to experience abnormal discharge.
  • a. Bacterial Vaginosis - is caused by bacteria and is not considered as a sexually transmitted disease. The gray or white discharge emits a fishlike smell particularly after having sex.
  • b. Vaginal yeast infection - the fluids are cheesy whitish-gray and thick. Not sexually transmitted, this is caused by yeast that excessively germinates in the vagina.
  • c. Trichomoniasis - is one kind of a sexually transmitted disease. The discharge can be either yellow-green or gray.

2. Other sexually transmitted diseases such as gonorrhea, chlamydia or genital herpes often lead to acquiring pelvic inflammatory diseases.

3. Foreign elements left in the body such as tampons.

Signs and Symptoms
In order to detect the presence of infections, abnormal discharges caused by such are ordinarily accompanied by any of the following signs or symptoms:

  • 1. The vagina is commonly inflamed.
  • 2. Itching, burning feeling on the skin
  • 3. Pain in the vagina especially when you have to urinate
  • 4. Constant discharge that look like cottage cheese, whitish, yellow-green or gray
  • 5. Foul smell
  • 6. Soreness and development of rashes
Recommended Treatment for Abnormal Discharge
Always keep your vagina fresh and clean. If you are already suffering from abnormal vaginal discharge, it is best that you consult your doctor right away. This is highly recommended especially if your discharge is accompanied by fever or pain in other parts of your body. It is possible that you are already suffering from a sexually transmitted disease or has developed diabetes.

Vaginal discharge can be in different color like brown, white or yellow. These different colors might cause by different kind of infection.