The secretions of the vagina (losses, leukorrhea or cervical mucus) are natural in women and are present from puberty to menopause. But a change in odor or color can sometimes suspect an infection.
Under the influence of estrogens, the vagina secretes secrets from puberty. These vaginal losses also called “leukorrhea” Or “cervical mucus“, take the appearance of a substance neither thick nor liquid, rather cream. These leukorrhea are Different of the fluids secreted during a female ejaculation. It is then a discharge of a small amount of whitish fluid, produced by glands on both sides of the urethra (external part of the urinary system duct) and called SKENE glands, or para-unéretral glands.
What is the cervical mucus?
The cervical mucus is a viscous substance produced at the level of the cervix. The cervical mucus constitutes the protective barrier of the uterus: it is indeed it stops the intrusion of germs dangerous for health. It also prevents the progression of sperm outside the periods conducive to fertilization. The consistency of the cervical mucus naturally changes during the period close to ovulation. She is then less viscous to leave sperm more easily Go up the genital ways of the woman and optimize their chances of meeting with the egg. The cervical mucus has a pH located between 6 and 8, 5, The ideal is between 7 and 8.5. A pH between 6 and 7 does not make fertilization impossible. An acid cervical mucus, pH less than 6, can be linked to an infection or be idiopathic. It harms fertilization and must be taken into account in the event of a desire for pregnancy.
Why do we have vaginal losses?
Vaginal secrets are used to protect and balance the vaginal flora in naturally cleaner the interior of the vagina By expelling potentially harmful substances and impurities. They also have a role during sex by lubricating the vagina, thus allowing penetrationfertilization and therefore reproduction. “They also make it possible to target the period when ovulation can take place, but that does not prove ovulation“, Specifies Dr. Pia de Reilhac, president of the National Federation of Colleges of Medical Gynecology and Gynecologist in Nantes.
These secrets, which are completely normal when they are cream and odorless, can sometimes take a suspicious appearance and have a disturbing odor. In this case, they can be the symptom of a pathology.
The losses are no longer normal “When their abundance changes, when they become white, green, beige or gray, but also if their appearance differs and they become shooting, thick, lumpy, sticky or running, or when they have an acre apple or rotten fish”lists Dr. Pia de Reilhac, who also advises to be careful if there is “Edema, itching, burns, irritation”.
• Yellow losses
• White losses
• Brown losses
• Pink losses
When to worry and consult?
► Better to consult a gynecologist when these losses become very white and thickas if they contained lumps of curd milk. Generally associated with high itching and inflammation of the lips, they announce a yeast infection.
► They can also become transparent and liquid, flow by intermittent and develop a very strong odor. It is then a vaginosiswhose origin is an imbalance of the vaginal flora and which must be treated.
► Vaginal secrecy can also take a gray or greenish shade. Most of the time they are the heralding chlamydia, a sexually transmitted infection. Greenish, frothy, abundant and nauseating (with acre smell), they can announce a trichomonaseanother sexually transmitted infection. Again, it is better to consult your gynecologist without delay.
Before the rules, the secretions can be thicker and abundant, sometimes yellowish. But during the period of the rules, there are no white losses.
At the start of pregnancy, more abundant vaginal losses than usual can be observed “Because hormonal impregnation increases a lot and the vagina responds” explains Dr. Pia de Reilhac. Classic aspect (milky or transparent, white or light yellow), they reflect the hormonal change that accompanies pregnancy. If they change color or smell bad, they may indicate a possible yeast infection or infection. In this case, you must quickly consult a gynecologist or a midwife.
The losses, which appear in puberty, are the expression of a good secretion of estrogens, either female hormones. Logically, they are scarce until they disappear at menopause, which marks the cessation of ovulation in women. “At menopause, there are no more vaginal secrets And therefore a possibility of drought and discomfort, but this is variable from one woman to another. The secretions are sometimes ocher and not abundant, synonymous with vaginal atrophy. However, the vagina always responds to sufficient stimulation and the desire of the woman, resulting in good lubrication even to menopause “reassures Dr. Pia de Reilhac.
Thank you to Dr. Pia de Reilhac, president of the National Federation of Colleges of Medical Gynecology and Gynecologist.
