Information from Libby Edwards, MD - Mid-Charlotte Dermatology & Research

PHYSIOLOGIC VAGINAL DISCHARGE

Normal vaginal fluid is sometimes called “vaginal discharge.” These vaginal secretions are formed by mucous, dead skin cells shed from the surface of the vagina and cervix, white blood cells, and many different normal bacteria in addition to other proteins and fluid. Physiologic (normal) vaginal discharge is white, thin or creamy, sometimes with odor. This discharge can be slight or heavy. When estrogen levels are low, before puberty and after menopause, the vagina is fairly dry and vaginal secretions are scant. When hormone levels increase, the skin of the vagina becomes much stronger, thicker, and moister, and the volume of secretions increases substantially. Infections and skin problems in the vagina can change the amount, color, or texture of vaginal secretions.

The volume and color of vaginal secretions vary by the time of the menstrual cycle, by the time of the woman’s life, hormone use, and possibly other recent therapies such as antibiotics. A sudden increase in vaginal secretions is sometimes associated with disease (most often, bacterial vaginosis.) Your healthcare provider can rule out a disease causing a change in your discharge with a vaginal culture and by looking for abnormalities with a microscope.

Very often, an increase in vaginal secretions is not caused by disease, but simply by a change in the woman’s body. When there is no cause found for increase in vaginal secretions, the discharge is called a physiologic vaginal discharge.

Although not dangerous, and rarely a cause of irritation or itching, this can be annoying. Unfortunately, because there is no disease causing the discharge, there is no good treatment. The use of medication for yeast or bacterial vaginosis is not useful unless these infections are identified.