How to distinguish between physiological leucorrhea and pathological leucorrhea!

Leucorrhea is a liquid that is secreted from the female reproductive tract and discharged through the vagina. It is beneficial to the human body. Leucorrhea originates from the cervix and vagina. It contains mucus secreted by the cervix, exudates from the vaginal mucosa, epidermal cells shed from the uterus and vagina, and a small amount of white blood cells and non-pathogenic vaginal bacilli. It keeps the vagina at a certain humidity, which is very beneficial for preventing the invasion of pathogens. Leucorrhea is a "barometer" of women's health. If the leucorrhea is yellow, has an odor, and increases in volume, it means that there is something wrong with the body. Most of the time, what we see is normal leucorrhea that is physiological. However, sometimes there will be abnormalities. So how should we make a preliminary judgment to see if we have a gynecological disease?

Experts point out that about 10% of the increase in vaginal discharge is normal physiological.

The following 5 situations: increased leucorrhea is normal

1. Before ovulation

Leucorrhea is most easily affected by the level of estrogen in women. Before ovulation, due to the increase in estrogen levels, the epithelial cells of the cervical glands proliferate, the secretion of cervical mucus increases, the sodium chloride content in the mucus increases, and it can absorb more water, causing the leucorrhea to increase, become thinner, and clearer in color, and look like egg white. This is a normal phenomenon.

2. During pregnancy

When a woman is pregnant, she will secrete more thick mucus due to the influence of hormone levels. In addition, as the uterus expands, the pelvic cavity and vagina are compressed, causing the nearby blood vessels to dilate and become congested, which also causes an increase in vaginal mucosal exudate.

3. During sexual excitement or sexual intercourse

Normal sexual life or sexual excitement will stimulate the production of vaginal secretions, causing an increase in leucorrhea, which is a normal physiological reaction.

4. After taking estrogen drugs or contraceptive pills

The increase in vaginal discharge at this time is related to changes in the levels of estrogen and progesterone in the body. Experts point out that birth control pills may cause endocrine disorders.

5. Stress

Endocrine disorders and mental state have an important impact on physical health. Excessive mental stress often causes neurological disorders. For women, it is easy to cause endocrine disorders, which in turn leads to increased leucorrhea.

The following increase in leucorrhea is a "signal" of gynecological diseases!

1. Inflammation of reproductive organs

If the vaginal discharge is milky in color, thin and foamy or white and dreg-like, with moderate to large amounts and no itching, it may be suspected to be vaginitis.

Leucorrhea is milky white mucus or light yellow pus, sometimes with blood, which may be cervicitis;

If the amount of leucorrhea increases, is yellow in color, and is watery, and is accompanied by abdominal pain, beware of pelvic inflammatory disease.

2. Infectious gynecological diseases

Leucorrhea is white and creamy, thick, slightly sweet, and itchy in the vagina. This may be a candida infection.

If the vaginal discharge is yellow-green, thin and foamy, accompanied by a foul odor and vaginal itching, it may be caused by vaginal Trichomonas infection;

If the leucorrhea is mixed with white lumps, like tofu dregs, and is accompanied by extreme itching, it is likely to be candidal vaginitis;

Grey discharge with a fishy odour is common in people with bacterial vaginosis.

3. Severe gynecological diseases

Increased leucorrhea with mild blood may be caused by benign lesions such as cervical polyps, submucosal myoma, dysfunctional uterine bleeding, and senile vaginitis.

In severe cases, it may be a malignant tumor such as cervical cancer or endometrial cancer;

Continuous discharge of rice-washing water-like leucorrhea with a foul odor is usually caused by advanced cervical cancer, vaginal cancer, or submucosal fibroids with infection;

Paroxysmal discharge of yellow or red watery vaginal discharge may be a sign of fallopian tube cancer.