Cheese secretions white. Curd secretions? It's a thrush

Many women become worried when they discover that their vaginal discharge is curdled. In fact, such a symptom can be both completely normal and pathological. In order to contact a gynecologist in time and prevent the development of complications, any woman should know what discharge indicates the presence of the disease.

Allocations in normal and pathological conditions

To determine the nature of the discharge, it is necessary to pay attention to several features of the vaginal secret at once:

color;
consistency;
amount;
smell;
concomitant symptoms in the form of redness, itching and burning of the genital organs.

Depending on the phase of the menstrual cycle, the nature of the discharge changes, since it directly depends on the level of sex hormones. Shortly before ovulation, the discharge is usually clear, viscous and homogeneous, similar to the white of a raw egg. Approximately in the middle of the menstrual cycle, the vaginal secretion becomes less dense, and from the second half it can take on a creamy or curdled appearance. Before the onset of menstruation, within a few days after they end, the discharge is usually clear and watery.

In addition, the amount of vaginal secretion may vary depending on the phase of the cycle, but most gynecologists believe that normally 1 to 4 ml of discharge is formed per day. Abundant vaginal discharge can indicate various disorders. An equally important criterion is the smell of the secret.

The secretions of a healthy woman do not smell, but the presence of a slight sour smell is considered quite acceptable, since the pH of the vaginal secretion ranges from 4.0-4.5, which corresponds to a slightly acidic environment. A pronounced sour smell may be a sign of candidiasis or vaginal dysbacteriosis, since the acidity level may increase with the reproduction of conditionally pathogenic microflora and fungi of the genus Candida.

One of the most important features of vaginal discharge is that it is not accompanied by any discomfort. Thus, it is worth thinking about the presence of pathology when the vaginal secret acquires the following characteristics:

throughout the entire menstrual cycle has a milky white color;
constantly has a consistency resembling cottage cheese or kefir;
becomes abundant;
acquires a sharp and pronounced sour smell;
includes streaks of blood, accompanied by itching, burning, redness, and often swelling of the labia, a feeling of discomfort and moisture in the perineum.

In the vast majority of cases, these signs indicate the presence of candidiasis (thrush). The external genital organs and the walls of the vagina are covered with an abundant white coating. Accumulating, it turns into a white curdled discharge. In more severe cases, candidiasis can cause damage to the epidermis and epithelium, manifested by small superficial erosions. Even the slightest violation of the integrity of the skin and mucous membrane can become an entrance gate for the attachment of a secondary bacterial infection.

Reasons for the appearance of discharge

Unfortunately, even regular hygiene procedures for candidiasis practically do not help to normalize the amount of discharge and get rid of a strong one. Therefore, in addition to careful personal hygiene, it is necessary to stop the growth and reproduction of the fungus. To do this as quickly and efficiently as possible, you need to take into account that Candida fungi are representatives of the conditionally pathogenic microflora of the vagina, and therefore are found in many women. However, normally their number is restrained by other microflora and the immune system. Given this, there are several main reasons for the development of thrush and the appearance of pathological discharge from the vagina:

prolonged use of antibiotics;
heavy physical activity;
hypodynamia;
unbalanced diet (lack of vitamins and microelements in the diet);
constant nervous stress;
hormonal imbalance;
infectious diseases of the reproductive system;
any chronic disease;
smoking and alcohol abuse;
endocrine diseases;
living in unfavorable environmental conditions.

All these factors weaken the body's immune system and lead to dysbacteriosis. Under such conditions, Candida begins to actively multiply, affecting the epithelium of the vagina and the external genitalia. In this regard, for the prevention of thrush, the above causes should be excluded in the first place.

How to get rid of curdled discharge

Despite the widespread opinion of most experts, candidiasis is not considered a sexual infection. Nevertheless, during sexual contact from one partner to another, new strains of the fungus can be transmitted, which are more resistant to negative effects on them from the immune system and other microorganisms. In this case, thrush develops, which can be extremely difficult to get rid of without the help of a specialist.

In addition, drug treatment of candidiasis is complicated by the fact that the vast majority of women who first discovered curdled vaginal discharge immediately begin taking antifungal drugs on their own.

Since many people choose the wrong dosage or duration of the course during this self-medication, Candida fungi develop resistance to the drug. This leads to constant relapses of thrush and subsequent ineffectiveness of previously used drugs.

In order to avoid such consequences, when pathological secretions appear, you should contact a gynecologist as soon as possible. He will not only establish the fact of the presence of fungi and assess the severity of candidiasis, but also determine the sensitivity of the pathogen to certain antimycotic agents and prescribe the most appropriate treatment. In addition, antibiotics may be required, since thrush is often associated with various sexually transmitted diseases: chlamydia, trichomoniasis, gonorrhea.

In this case, these pathogenic microorganisms will lead to inflammation and dysbacteriosis, thereby provoking the uncontrolled reproduction of fungi. And in order to eliminate other risk factors, the gynecologist may prescribe the intake of vitamin and mineral complexes, fish oil or immunostimulants.

Some women, for various reasons, regularly douche the vagina, but this procedure is not at all harmless. Frequent douching causes leaching of some microorganisms from the vagina and as a result leads to dysbacteriosis and thrush. Therefore, if curdled discharge appeared after a course of douching or taking antibiotics, the doctor prescribes local treatment with drugs containing lactic acid bacteria.

When drug therapy does not eliminate cheesy discharge and other unpleasant symptoms, more serious causes leading to the re-development of thrush should be excluded: diabetes mellitus, hormonal disorders and fungal infection of the intestine. To do this, you will need to do a blood test to determine the level of glucose, measure the level of sex hormones in the blood in different phases of the menstrual cycle, and also conduct a fecal analysis. If necessary, hormone therapy may be prescribed.

The treatment prescribed by the doctor must be continued until the course is completed. The disappearance of discharge and other symptoms is not a reason to stop taking the drugs. Early termination of drug therapy can lead to the re-development of thrush. After the course of treatment is completed, a woman should visit a gynecologist for a re-examination and a smear for microflora.

Complete recovery is indicated not only by the absence of complaints, but also by the normal results obtained in the study of a vaginal smear.

Unhealthy curdled discharge before or after menstruation, accompanied by uncomfortable sensations or a sour smell, indicates a malfunction in the woman's reproductive system. In such cases, it is important to know whether this secretion is considered normal or is a symptom of serious diseases and microflora disorders. What should I do if curd-like lumps begin to appear on the linen? What are the causes of the unpleasant phenomenon? This article will help answer these questions.

The reasons

Most female representatives are familiar with vaginal discharge, which is similar in consistency to cottage cheese. Such manifestations are a common reason for girls to visit a gynecologist. Since women have heard about the violation of the microflora due to thrush, many of them take the symptoms for the severity of this disease and begin self-medication.

The curd secret on linen varies in color and is not always an indicator of candidiasis; other serious pathologies may be the reason for the discharge.

White discharge

Most often, curd-like lumps of white color with a slight sour smell are a manifestation of thrush. This disease occurs due to the growth of pathogenic Candida fungi that live on the mucosa. An increase in the number of these microorganisms can be caused by many factors on the part of the woman's immune system. Candidiasis usually appears under the following conditions:

long-term use of oral contraceptives;
strong emotional upheavals;
after antibiotic treatment;
when eating a large amount of sweets;
during pregnancy;
from engaging in heavy types of physical labor;
with hormonal disorders;
on strict diets.

Unfortunately, not all women know that the detected discharge does not always signal an onset of the disease. The presence of leucorrhea (discharge) may be a physiological manifestation in healthy women. But still, one cannot disregard the fact that the infectious and inflammatory conditions of the genital area manifest themselves precisely with secretions. This means that a woman is advised to pay attention to their color and condition. If you find a white discharge that does not have an odor, then they are not always caused by some kind of disease.

The appearance of a whitish mucous discharge that is odorless is considered the norm. The reason is the natural self-cleaning of the walls of the vagina and uterus from pathogens of many types of infections. Depending on the phases of the female cycle, the features of the discharge change, but are not a cause for concern. In particular, after the end of menstruation, in the middle of the cycle and during its 3 phases, the discharge of a whitish tint, which does not cause concern with smell and itching, is physiological. The difference is only in their consistency and quantity.

The appearance of light discharge may be a consequence of therapy with invaginal preparations, contraceptives used, stressful situations, incl. and acclimatization in a new place of residence.

The white color and curdled consistency of the discharge in the absence of odor in most cases indicates the development of vaginosis of a bacterial nature. Its danger is in the asymptomatic course, only the result of a smear can confirm the presence. Bacvaginosis occurs not only due to promiscuity with frequently changing partners, but can also be the result of a decrease in immune defenses, antibiotics, contraception and hormone therapy.

It is worth paying special attention to pregnant women for this disease, which is dangerous for miscarriage, intrauterine pathologies, and complications during childbirth.

White cheesy type of discharge as such cannot be considered in need of treatment, and especially self-medication.

Determine the cause and diagnosis of a possible disease will help not so much the appearance of the discharge as objective studies.

Carrying out medical and hygienic procedures (tampons, suppositories, douching).
Sexual intercourse with frequent change of partner, unprotected sex.
Pregnancy and hormonal imbalance.
Conditions of chronic diseases in the acute stage, excessive insolation or cooling of the body.

These discharges are only physiological if they are not accompanied by itching or burning, pain or swelling of the organs in the groin area. For example, common thrush (candidiasis) is characterized, in addition to discharge, by itching, often severe.

If the discharge of the curdled type has a yellow tint, then this is the basis for the proposed diagnosis of inflammation in the appendages, ovaries and fallopian tubes, which require active antibacterial and anti-inflammatory therapy, as well as physiotherapy.

Regardless of the reasons that cause a woman to have a white discharge and a curdled consistency, a regular visit to a gynecologist should be taken seriously.

Vaginal discharge in women is normal, depending on the cycle time. That is why secretions can change their nature, quantity, etc. For each woman, such indicators as the color of the discharge, their volume, frequency are strictly individual. Do not worry if the vaginal discharge is clear in color, moderate in nature, has a rare texture, does not have an unpleasant odor and is not accompanied by itching or pain.

The appearance of other secretions, as a rule, indicates a malfunction in the body - either in the work of the hormonal component, or indicates the presence of infections. Then the discharge takes on an unpleasant odor, the woman feels discomfort in the vagina and genital slit (redness, irritation, itching, burning). It is to such pathological secretions that curdled discharges also belong.

The most common cause of curdled discharge is thrush. caused by a fungus of the genus Candida (sometimes the disease is called candidiasis). This is one of the most common diseases of the genital area, which, with timely access to a doctor, is treated without much difficulty. The thrush mainly affects the integumentary tissues of the genital tract (epithelium) and internal organs. This diagnosis is made in seventy-five percent of women who see a doctor with similar symptoms.

The causative agent of the disease is a yeast microorganism - the Candida fungus. It is worth noting that this fungus is constantly found in the microflora of the vagina - it is a necessary element that maintains an optimal indicator of the acidity of the environment. However, in the presence of certain factors, the fungus begins to multiply unnaturally, which leads, respectively, to thrush.

An increase in the number of Candida occurs mainly for the following reasons: 1. a sharp decrease in immunity, the inability to resist external harmful factors; 2. excessive addiction to drugs, especially in self-treatment (often patients “for fidelity” drink a little more medication than the doctor prescribes, or even prescribe them on their own); 3. pregnancy; 4. dysbacteriosis; 5. adverse environmental factors; 6. wearing underwear made of synthetic fabrics, the so-called. "Greenhouse effect".

With thrush, the discharge of a curdled nature is also reinforced by other signs - burning, itching, sleep disturbance, pain when urinating, the appearance of a permanent white coating on the tissues of the vagina.

By itself, genital candidiasis is not dangerous for health, but the manifestations negatively affect a woman's sex life. However, the joint treatment of partners with modern means easily eliminates the disease and normalizes the acidic environment of the vagina.

If you have thrush, then you can try. The article also talks about the rules of douching.

Another reason why white curdled discharge may appear is malnutrition. Women who consume excessive amounts of sugar, coffee, mushrooms, beer, yeast dough products, carbonated drinks, spicy, spicy and fatty foods, mayonnaises and ketchups are also at risk of becoming hostages of candidiasis. However, in this case, the treatment is primarily aimed at correcting the diet. With proper nutrition, after a while, white curdled discharge will stop appearing.

White curdled discharge can also signal more serious pathologies in the body, in particular, sexual infections. Curdled discharge appears with mycoplasmosis, chlamydia and ureaplasmosis.

The causative agents of these diseases are pathological microorganisms that are sexually transmitted. At the same time, curdled discharge is accompanied by an unpleasant odor. When treating a disease, you must consult a doctor and strictly follow the prescribed course of treatment.

The reproductive system of women is a clear and well-coordinated mechanism aimed at the main goal - bearing and giving birth to a child. It is not surprising that on different days of the cycle, the representatives of the beautiful half of humanity note a different amount and nature of vaginal discharge. Every woman knows about the structural features of her body and can distinguish physiological, “healthy” leucorrhoea from pathological ones. And what to do if you notice the appearance of curdled discharge without smell and itching, or, on the contrary, accompanied by uncomfortable sensations? In our review, we will analyze the causes, the mechanism of development and the consequences of such a state. What diseases are manifested by curdled discharge, and do they always need to be treated?

What is normal and what is pathology?

There are several criteria by which discharge from a woman's vagina can be considered physiological. These include:

liquid or slightly viscous (jelly-like) consistency;
transparency;
a small amount - up to one or two tsp. per day;
lack of a pungent odor (a subtle aroma of a clean body is possible);
absence of discomfort, pain, burning, itching and other signs of damage to the mucous layer of the vaginal wall.

The nature, shade and volume of vaginal discharge fluctuate depending on the phase of the menstrual cycle. For example, by the middle of the 28-32-day cycle - ovulation - there are much more of them. In addition, abundant discharge in a healthy woman may appear when:

arousal;
pregnancy;
lactation;
severe stress;
abrupt climate change.

Even with an increase in volume, physiological secretions do not cause discomfort to a woman and leave almost no marks on the panty gusset.

Possible reasons

According to statistics, the appearance of white curdled discharge in women is perhaps the most common reason for contacting an obstetrician-gynecologist. Up to 70% of the fair sex, including absolutely healthy ones, encountered such a symptom. Often, patients automatically take it for a manifestation of thrush (scientifically speaking, candidal vaginitis), and use the entire arsenal of tools at hand, from antifungal suppositories to traditional medicine recipes.

But not always curdled discharge in women is a sign of the reproduction of fungi of the genus Candida in the vagina. There is an extensive list of problems that are accompanied by this symptom, as well as discomfort, irritation of the integumentary tissue, itching, burning sensation in the area of the NV, problems during sexual intercourse.

white color

White cheesy or with a slight sour smell - a classic manifestation of the thrush familiar to many, or candidiasis. The main cause of the disease is conditional pathogens of the human body, fungi of the genus Candida, which normally inhabit the genital tract, oral cavity and skin in a small amount. With any violations of the immune system, they are able to actively multiply, damaging the skin, mucous epithelium and being the main pathogenetic factor in the development of inflammation.

Thrush often develops in women:

engaged in hard physical labor;
subjected to severe stress;
having severe chronic pathologies or frequently ill with acute respiratory viral infections;
who have undergone a course of intensive antibiotic therapy;
taking oral contraceptives;
exhausting themselves with diets or, on the contrary, leaning on sweets, fresh baking;
during pregnancy.

The clinical picture of the disease largely depends on the severity and duration of the damaging effect of yeast on the mucosa. The pathology is characterized by abundant white (milky) curdled discharge and itching in the vagina, discomfort and pain during hygiene procedures, urination, and sexual intercourse. Less commonly, patients complain of a typical "sour" smell from the genital tract, a white coating on the mucous membrane of the vulva and vagina.

It is interesting. Candidiasis can affect not only the genital tract, but also the skin and mucous membranes throughout the body.

Less commonly, whites acquire a pinkish tint. This is usually associated with concomitant erosion and fresh (contact) bleeding. Some hormonal changes against the background of thrush can cause curdled discharge of brown, almost black color.

Yellow color

Yellow discharge in the form of cottage cheese may have causes other than thrush. Sometimes they are the result of infection by pathogenic microorganisms of the internal organs of the reproductive system - the uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes.

An acute infectious process is characterized by vivid clinical symptoms: abundant yellow discharge is accompanied by body fever up to 38.5-40 ° C, pain in the lower abdomen, severe weakness, and malaise. There may be menstrual irregularities and other manifestations of hormonal failure. After sexual intercourse, discomfort and yellowish cheesy leucorrhoea may become more abundant.

When the process is chronic, the main symptoms of inflammation of the uterus or appendages subside, and the woman complains only about the discharge: curdled discharge of yellow color or mucopurulent - greenish in color.

Foul-smelling, yellow, cheesy discharge that is combined with intense burning and itchy sensations in the vagina are likely symptoms of gonorrhea and other STDs. Gonorrhea is a common sexually transmitted infection that can affect the reproductive system.

The main cause of the disease is bacterial. The causative agent of the pathology is the pathogenic bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae, a diplococcus with low resistance in the external environment, but high contagiousness (contagiousness) when transmitted from person to person.

The main route of infection is sexual (genital), but infection is also possible through non-traditional types of sex (oral-genital, anal-genital contacts). Typical is the defeat of gonococci of the genitourinary system (genital gonorrhea). Cases of gonorrheal lesions of other internal organs are less commonly diagnosed:

rectum;
pharynx;
mucous membrane of the eye;
joints.

The first signs of gonorrhea can be seen 2-14 days after infection. The disease has the following clinical manifestations:

symptoms of vaginitis - inflammation of the vaginal wall:

curdled discharge from the vagina (with a sharp unpleasant odor);

burning sensation, itching;

discomfort, soreness during sexual intercourse.

symptoms of urethritis - lesions of the urethra:

pale yellow mucopurulent discharge from the urethra;

the appearance of burning, itchy pain along the urethra;

painful urination.

vulvitis - inflammation of the mucous membrane of the NGO - is accompanied by burning, itching in the perineum, swelling and inflammation of the vulva.

Green or green-yellow

Abundant curdled discharge of a greenish tint is one of the signs of purulent inflammation of the genital tract. Often this symptom accompanies STIs, including trichomoniasis.

Trichomoniasis (trichomoniasis) is an infectious lesion of the urinary tract caused by a single-celled protozoan - Trichomonas vaginalis.

Note! Contrary to popular belief, trichomoniasis is not a sexually transmitted disease, although it is transmitted mainly through sexual contact.

Science knows that trichomoniasis often becomes a companion of other STDs, such as gonorrhea, chlamydia, mycoplasmosis. The role of the pathogen in the transmission of HIV infection is also noted. Among the factors provoking infection with Trichomonas vaginalis, there are:

hormonal disorders;
metabolic disorders;
lack of vitamins, minerals and nutrients (nutrients) in the body;
intestinal dysbacteriosis, bacterial dysbiosis of the vagina;
the presence of chronic inflammatory diseases of the small pelvis;
menstruation.

The clinical manifestations of the disease largely depend on the amount of the pathogen in the body and the state of the woman's immune system. In the acute period of trichomoniasis, the patient complains of:

greenish frothy or cottage cheese discharge and itching;
cramps, burning during and a few minutes after physiological administration;
pain in the lower abdomen;
pain during sex.

Chronic inflammation is characterized by an erased clinical picture: itching in the vagina subsides, the outflow of pus from the genital tract decreases. Symptoms of infection subside, but the damaging effect of Trichomonas vaginalis extends to the internal genital organs. Untreated trichomoniasis can lead to infertility and other serious complications.

Don't put off seeing a specialist

Be sure to consult a gynecologist if you notice that the usual nature of the whites has changed. Even curdled discharge without itching or other unpleasant symptoms is a reason for careful observation. And if the "cottage cheese" of white color is accompanied by a burning sensation, a pungent odor or pain in the lower abdomen, treatment should be started as soon as possible.

Odorless curdled discharge without other complaints is not a disease. This is just a symptom that must be taken into account in the process of making the correct diagnosis. The standard plan for examining a patient with a suspected infectious process in the genitourinary system includes:

Collection of complaints and anamnesis. Particularly important is information about the possible connection between the appearance of secretions and:

Unprotected sexual intercourse, change of sexual partner;
Personal hygiene (changing the cleanser, frequent douching, the use of antimicrobial vaginal forms of preparations - tablets and suppositories);
Acute and exacerbation of chronic diseases;
pregnancy;
Endocrine diseases.

To find out the exact cause of pathological discharge, a number of laboratory and instrumental tests are prescribed:

microscopic and microbiological examination of the biomaterial - smears from the vagina;
smear culture for sensitivity to antibiotics and other drugs;
colposcopy;
oncocytology test;
Ultrasound examination of the internal genital organs;
serological tests for STDs (ELISA, PCR).

We treat the disease, not its symptoms

After a successful diagnosis, the doctor draws up a therapy plan aimed at eliminating the infection and reducing inflammation. In this case, it is necessary to treat not individual symptoms, but the disease as a whole.

Note! In order for the treatment to be effective, both sexual partners must comply with the doctor's prescriptions.

In treatment, the following are at the forefront:

Specific antifungal agents (Clotrimazole, Flucanazole). For mild and moderate forms of the disease, local forms are used - suppositories, vaginal tablets, ointments. Severe thrush is an indication for prescribing tablet forms of antimycotics.
Antiseptics. For a comprehensive fight against opportunistic fungi, it is recommended to wash with antiseptic solutions - Furacilin, Chlorhexidine, Tsiteal.
Restorative and immunostimulating agents. All patients with candidiasis are shown a complete balanced diet, vitamin therapy, outdoor walks, interferon preparations (Viferon, Anaferon, etc.).

Treatment of STDs consists in the appointment of antibacterial (usually effective one-time regimens are used), anti-inflammatory and antiseptic agents. At the same time, the composition and duration of therapy is established by a dermatovenereologist individually for each patient, taking into account the sensitivity of the inoculated flora to drugs. Comprehensive treatment of vaginal candidiasis, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis and non-specific inflammatory diseases of the uterus with appendages will quickly get rid of curdled discharge and other unpleasant symptoms of urogenital lesions.