The presence of white discharge during a woman’s life is considered common and quite natural. This is because the female genitalia is very sensitive and also connects with practically the entire functioning and health of the body. However, it is necessary to pay attention to other signs that may indicate a problem. Discharges with a greenish or yellow color and a strong odor or simply with a smell different from normal may indicate the presence of some bacteria or infection and deserve medical attention and care.

What is White Discharge?

White discharge, scientifically known as leukorrhea, is considered a natural factor in the female body. Its texture can be creamy, transparent, liquid, gelatinous, or elastic, in addition to its smell and the intensity of the color, which will indicate its cause. Its presence does not always accompany any infection or disease, and it may simply demonstrate that your reproductive system is functioning perfectly, just as the vaginal pH is well balanced. In fact, the presence of white discharge without odor is considered physiological vaginal secretion, which is completely natural, healthy, and not connected to infections.

White Discharge in Young Girls

As it is a natural factor in the female body, it is very common for mothers to worry and seek out a doctor when their daughters, sometimes very young, experience white discharge. However, white discharge can occur as an indication that puberty is near. In these cases, white discharge can start to appear up to one year before the first period, the menarche. So, if this discharge appears without a strong odor or symptoms like itching, rest assured that it’s just a sign your daughter’s body is transforming and preparing for the next phase.

Main Causes of White Discharge

As already mentioned, white discharge refers to a natural process in the female body, but it can also indicate the presence of infections when accompanied by uncomfortable symptoms such as itching, burning, strong odor, and local swelling. Let’s list the other main causes of this discharge, besides natural body processes.

  • Bacterial vaginosis;
  • Vaginal Candidiasis;

Bacterial Vaginosis

Bacterial vaginosis is one of the main causes of white discharge throughout a woman’s life. With a creamy texture, similar to curdled milk, it can have a gray, white, or yellowish tinge. Its presence may cause intense itching, burning, and a strong, very unpleasant odor that resembles the smell of rotten fish. The cause is an imbalance of the vaginal flora, allowing the overgrowth of the bacterium Gardnerella Vaginalis, which causes all these uncomfortable symptoms. Its treatment is generally straightforward, but it must be done strictly to be truly effective. The use of antibiotics is essential and may be administered in cream or ointment form, or as oral tablets. The treatment should last for 7 days or according to your doctor’s directions. The treatment should not be interrupted even if symptoms disappear, and during the days of treatment, sexual intercourse should be avoided or a condom should be used. The best way to prevent white discharge from bacterial vaginosis is to avoid vaginal douching, always use condoms, avoid using intimate soaps, flavored and scented lubricating gels and perfumes on the genital area. Regular visits to the gynecologist and routine exams also help keep intimate health up to date.

Vaginal Candidiasis

Well known among women for its very characteristic strong odor and much feared for such uncomfortable symptoms, vaginal candidiasis is also one of the main causes of white discharge. Considered by gynecologists a common infection because it involves a fungus already present in the vaginal flora, which can multiply uncontrollably for certain reasons. As it is an imbalance, people with weakened immunity may suffer from vaginal candidiasis more frequently, such as pregnant women or women undergoing treatments with medications that lower immunity. It also occurs often in women with poor intimate hygiene habits, which promote the growth and proliferation of these fungi. Candidiasis is not considered a sexually transmitted disease, but it can be passed to your partner during sexual intercourse. Therefore, once diagnosed, both partners should be treated to ensure treatment effectiveness. Treatment of vaginal candidiasis is based on antifungal creams, oral or vaginal antifungal tablets, and the tablet may also be prescribed for the sexual partner. Treatment lasts an average of 15 days, and during this period, sexual intercourse should be avoided or a condom used. These essential precautions will guarantee the effectiveness of the treatment. If the woman has a history of recurrent candidiasis, the gynecologist may recommend a longer treatment. In these cases, one antifungal tablet per week, orally or vaginally, may be needed for 6 months. Vaginal treatment offers greater effectiveness, with symptoms disappearing faster. However, this does not mean the treatment should be stopped. If the treatment is not followed as the gynecologist prescribes, vaginal candidiasis will return. The best ways to prevent white discharge due to vaginal candidiasis are maintaining a balanced diet and good intimate hygiene, preferably wearing cotton underwear, avoiding staying in wet swimsuits for long periods, and always using a condom during sexual intercourse. As already mentioned, some medical treatments and medications may lower a woman’s immunity, increasing the chances of candidiasis. In this case, talk to your gynecologist about prevention.

Can White Discharge Be a Sign of Pregnancy?

This is a very common question among women trying to conceive: can white discharge indicate pregnancy? And the answer is YES, in part. In part, because women often confuse white discharge with mucus, which is what may indicate pregnancy. The presence of this mucus, mistaken for white discharge, can mean your body is functioning as it should and that you have ovulated. If it continues for a period and there is an abundance—sometimes even the sensation of ‘leaking’ or wetting clothing—until you notice a late period, it could be pregnancy. This increase in mucus production is due to the rise in progesterone production. So if you notice this mucus with an ointment-like appearance in a large amount, do not feel uncomfortable symptoms such as itching or burning, and your period is late, you have a high chance that a pregnancy test will be positive!

Female Intimate Hygiene – What To Do and What Not To Do?

After learning about all the issues that can cause white discharge, it becomes clear that impeccable intimate hygiene is essential. But some women end up overdoing hygiene, causing the opposite effect—instead of helping, it harms their intimate health. So, let’s list what is recommended and healthy for vaginal hygiene and what is not suggested. The vaginal area has its own natural protection, made up of thousands of beneficial bacteria that form and control the vaginal flora, balancing the area’s pH. Obviously, proper hygiene is necessary to keep harmful fungi and bacteria away, but you need to know what to use and how to do it. Intimate hygiene should be routine like brushing your teeth, but it’s not that simple! There are now countless intimate hygiene products on the market, such as soaps, perfumes, and wet wipes. But the question is: how healthy are these for vaginal health?

  • Intimate soap – There are many liquid soaps for the intimate area. Ask your gynecologist which is best for you. Avoid scented intimate washes and give preference to hypoallergenic ones. They are good but not essential. Hygiene can be done with regular bar soap, as long as it is used appropriately.
  • Overdoing hygiene – Many women believe that good intimate hygiene is washing several times a day and that it is necessary to ‘wash inside’ or even douche for complete cleanliness. However, experts say this excessive hygiene can remove the vagina’s natural protection, increasing the risk of bacteria and infections.
  • Wet Wipes – Using wet wipes may be acceptable in isolated cases, such as when out and about or traveling. Daily use, however, can upset the local acidity and remove natural protection.
  • Washing with Vinegar – Washing with vinegar is not recommended unless medically prescribed.

Proper intimate hygiene should be done about twice a day; more than that is unnecessary. Cleaning should be performed using only water and soap, and preferably cotton underwear should be used, allowing the area to breathe best. Photo: Canon EOS 5D Mark II