Remedies for each type of discharge

Each type of discharge may be a sign of different conditions that range from physiological to more serious cases like inflammations.

However, in most cases, discharge may be a sign of some vaginal infection. For this reason treatment can be done using antibiotics or antifungals such as metronidazole, clindamycin, miconazole or fluconazole, that may be in the form of cream, ointment or tablets.

These remedies should only be prescribed by a gynaecologist. If the woman notices unusual vaginal discharge, she should go for an appointment so as to identify the type of microorganism causing the symptoms, and start the most appropriate medication. Usually, the gynaecologist will diagnose the agent responsible for infection by doing an evaluation of the presented symptoms. However, there might be need to perform specific tests to accurately confirm the diagnosis.

Here are the types of vaginal discharge and how each one can be treated according to the symptoms they present:

1. Yellowish discharge

Yellowish type of discharge that is comes with smell similar to that of rotten fish may be a sign of bacterial vaginosis. Apart from the yellowish discharge that has bad smell, the woman may experience a burning sensation when urinating and the smell intensifies during sexual intercourse.

Remedies indicated: For yellowish discharge, it is recommended to visit the gynaecologist who will prescribe the the following remedies:

• Metronidazole 500 mg of 12/12h oral use, for 7 consecutive days
• Metronidazole gel 0.75%, intravaginal use, for 5 nights
• Clindamycin cream 2% intravaginal use, for 7 nights

It is important that treatment is done according to medical prescription and the dosage should not be stopped even when the symptoms improve.

2. White discharge

White discharge that is similar to curdled milk, with or without smell and is accompanied by intense itching and a burning sensation when urinating and it may also be a sign of candidiasis. This is an infection, caused by fungi of the genus Candida, which is part of the woman’s vaginal microbiota.

Remedies indicated: If candidiasis is diagnosed, the gynaecologist may prescribe using antifungals such as:

• Clotrimazole cream 2%, intravaginal use for 7-14 nights
• Nystatin cream, intravaginal use for 14 nights
• Fluconazole 150 mg oral use, single dose

It is important that treatment is not stopped even after there is improvement as there may be risks of reinfection of abdominal fungal proliferation.

3. Greyish discharge

Greyish discharge that is abundant, foamy and smelly may be a sign of trichomoniasis, which is an infection caused by the parasite Trichomonas vaginalis.

Remedies indicated: If trichomonas diagnosed by means of urine testing, the gynecologist may precsribe:

• Metronidazole 2g oral use, single dose
• Tinidazole 2g oral use, single dose
• Secnidazole 2g oral use, single dose

4. Yellow-green runny

Yellow-green discharge that has bad smell and is accompanied by bleeding and odour when urinating and during sexual intercourse may be a sign of infection by Neisseria gonorrhoeae,. This is a bacterium responsible for causing Gonorrhea, which is a Sexually Transmitted Infection Infection (STI).

Remedies indicated: It is important that the diagnosis is made quickly so that treatment is started early so as to avoid development of other complication. After the diagnosis, the gynaecologist will prescribe the use of the following remedies:

• Ciprofloxacin 500 mg, oral use, in single dose
• Ceftriaxone 1g, intramuscular use, single dose

Treatment should be made for both the woman and the partner. This is because for this STI, the bacterium can be transmitted from one person to the other during unprotected sexual intercourse. In addition, it also important that the treatment is done according to the medical guidelines and dosage because if not, there may be development of resistance mechanisms by the bacterium. These will hinder treatment and favour emergence of other complications.

5. Brown discharge

Like greenish-yellowish discharge, brown discharge may also be a sign of infection by gorrhoea. However, brown discharge may also be noted a few days after competing the menstruation cycle, and it for this case should not be a cause for alarm.

Remedies indicated: Brown discharge is not always a cause for concern. However, if it accompanied by other symptoms, then the gynaecologist should perform a diagnosis then recommend the most appropriate treatment as soon as possible. Treatment of brown discharge caused by bacteria is done using Azithromycin or Ciprofloxacin in a single dose or for 7 to 10 days, according to the medical prescription.

Home remedies options

Home remedies should not be a replacement for the doctor’s prescription. However, they can be used in conjunction with the prescribed remedies so as to accelerate the healing process and decrease the symptoms. They are also a good option to prevent infections.

Some of the remedies include:

• Make a seat bath with tea of guava leaves, 2 times a day. It is useful to combat discharge caused by Trichomoniasis and Candidiasis;
• Wash the intimate region with sweet vassal tea with guava, then dry using a clean and soft cloth, for 1 week
• Invest in a natural diet, based on fruits, vegetables and avoid consumption of processed foods.