How to deal with vaginal discharge at the doctor and tips for treating it at home

Every woman must have experienced vaginal discharge at least once in her life. Leucorrhoea is basically a normal body reaction. Even so, this condition might make it uncomfortable. Especially if the discharge is quite a lot of discharge. So, is there a way to deal with or get rid of vaginal discharge?

The difference between normal vaginal discharge and vaginal discharge is a sign of disease

Basically, vaginal discharge is cells and vaginal fluid that shed. This condition is very common, especially in women who have passed puberty. However, normal or not vaginal discharge can be determined from the color, texture, and smell of the mucus that comes out.

Normal vaginal discharge is usually clear or milky white with a sticky and slippery texture. Normal vaginal discharge has no smell.

Normal vaginal discharge indicates your body and vagina are functioning properly. Leucorrhoea is also the way the vagina cleans and protects itself. This vaginal discharge does not always have to be overcome, because it can go away on its own.

Conversely, abnormal vaginal discharge can indicate an infection or problem with the female organs. Abnormal vaginal discharge is characterized by:

• Pungent stench.
• The vagina feels itchy, sore, and reddish.
• The texture of the liquid is stickier.
• Yellowish, greenish, grayish, brownish, or reddish in color.

Leucorrhoea with the above signs needs to be treated immediately so as not to further undermine the health of the body.

How to deal with vaginal discharge with doctor care

Doctors can prescribe medication as a way to treat vaginal discharge, if the cause has been determined due to infection or certain health problems. In most cases, mild infections generally resolve within one to two weeks.

Some of the treatment methods that are often used by doctors to get rid of vaginal discharge are:

Antibiotic drugs

Taking antibiotics is a way to get rid of abnormal vaginal discharge caused by a bacterial infection. Doctors generally will prescribe a dose of antibiotics which must be taken regularly.

The type of antibiotic will depend on the bacteria causing it. For example, if your abnormal vaginal discharge is caused by bacterial vaginosis or trichomoniasis, the antibiotic prescription is metronidazole (Flagyl).

In addition to oral medications, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics in the form of creams, gels or ointments that are applied directly to the skin of the vagina. Topical drugs are usually given if you are having trouble taking medication. Topical antibiotics are also usually given to women who also experience vaginal inflammation (itching, pain, and burning sensation)

If the infection is caused by a sexually transmitted disease, you may be given a combination of injectable antibiotics and oral medications.

Antifungal drugs

If you have recurrent vaginal yeast infections, you can still use over-the-counter antifungal creams without a doctor's prescription. However, if your symptoms do not improve, consult a doctor to find the cause and adjust the type of treatment.

The doctor will prescribe an antifungal medication if the cause is a yeast infection, such as Candidiasis. The antifungal drugs commonly used to get rid of vaginal discharge are fluconazole, terponazole, and miconazole. Antifungal medications are available in cream or tablet versions.

However, the type, dose and duration of use will be adjusted again according to the condition, cause, and severity of the disease. Miconazole, for example, helps kill fungus and reduces burning, itching, and the amount of discharge.

Before giving the drug, the doctor will also first ask if you are pregnant or not. The reason is, drinking antifungal drugs such as fluconazole (Diflucan) can cause miscarriage or birth defects if taken by pregnant women.

In essence, make sure to use the drug according to the doctor's prescription. Do not reduce, stop, lengthen, or increase the dose yourself just because you want a speedy recovery. The reason is, the dose given by the doctor has been adjusted to your condition.

However, if in the middle of the course of treatment it does not have any effect, consult your doctor again. Especially if you have fever, chills, flu symptoms, and vaginal discharge that smells bad. This can indicate a more severe case of infection.

Other medical treatments

If not because of infection, excess vaginal discharge can come out due to hormonal changes in the body. General discharge is more common when pregnant and breastfeeding, in menopause, or are using certain hormonal contraceptives. This condition is triggered by atrophic vaginitis.

So based on the things that trigger it, how to get rid of excess vaginal discharge outside of cases of infection is to:

Hormone therapy

Excess vaginal discharge that appears during menopause can be treated with estrogen hormone replacement therapy. Therapy can be in the form of drugs that are taken directly or injected into the vagina. Even so, injection therapy is usually not as effective as oral hormone therapy.

Change birth control device

If you are recent or are taking hormonal birth control such as a pill or spiral (IUD), tell your doctor about your excess vaginal discharge. If the contraceptive used is the cause, the doctor will suggest changing to another contraceptive that is more suitable for your condition.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy can be a way to deal with excess vaginal discharge if it is caused by cervical cancer (cervical cancer). Abnormal vaginal discharge is one of the symptoms of cervical cancer. Therefore, how to get rid of this vaginal discharge must certainly treat the disease that causes it.

Chemotherapy can use one or more drugs to kill cancer cells. The drugs given are usually not only taken by mouth but are put through an IV, so that the drugs enter the bloodstream and work more effectively.

Chemotherapy is generally also combined with other types of cancer treatment such as radiotherapy. The goal is to more efficiently destroy cancer cells as well as shrink cancerous lumps.

However, you also need to understand what are the risks of side effects that may arise during chemotherapy. Some types of chemotherapy drugs can even damage the kidneys. Therefore, the doctor will continue to monitor the condition of your body during therapy so that this method of getting rid of vaginal discharge goes well.

Surgery

Apart from chemotherapy, surgery can also be a way to get rid of vaginal discharge caused by cervical cancer. There are three main types of surgery for cervical cancer, namely:

• Trachelectomy, removes the tissue around the cervix and the upper part of the vagina without doing anything to the uterus.
• Hysterectomy, removing the uterus along with the cervix and ovaries and fallopian tubes if necessary
• Pelvic exenteration, removes the cervix, vagina, uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes, bladder, and rectum area

How to deal with vaginal discharge at home with simple treatments

It is likely that the vaginal discharge you are experiencing is still classified as normal. If the doctor says so, this condition usually doesn't need to be treated with special care. Leucorrhoea is a normal body reaction and it actually has a good impact on the health of your body.

However, if your vaginal discharge comes out excessively to interfere with activity, there are various simple ways to deal with it without the need for medication. You can also combine these various ways with the medical treatments above to get rid of vaginal discharge due to infection.

1. Maintain vaginal cleanliness

Rinse the vagina thoroughly after having a bowel movement, as well as before and after sex. How to rinse it should not be arbitrary. Wash with lukewarm water from front to back so that the germs that are lodged in the anus do not move to the vagina.

Then, wipe with a soft tissue or towel and gently pat it dry. Remember not to rub or rub too hard as this can irritate the vaginal skin.

Wash your hands before and after touching your genitals.

2. Change your underwear regularly

Normally you are advised to change your underwear at least twice a day.

However, if you have a lot of vaginal discharge, replace it more often so that the vagina remains dry and clean. Especially if you've just been doing activities that sweat a lot, such as exercising or hot in the sun.

Wear cotton underwear that absorbs sweat well. Keeping the vagina clean and dry can keep the risk of bacterial, fungal, or parasitic infections from being too damp. If the material in your underwear doesn't absorb sweat, bacteria can thrive. If left untreated, this condition can worsen vaginal infections that you experience.

Don't forget to routinely change your sanitary napkins at least 3-4 times a day while you're menstruating. Lazy to change sanitary napkins can make germs and fungi multiply wild in the vagina.

3.Avoid vaginal douches (vaginal cleansing soap)

Cleaning the vagina is actually enough with clean running water, no need to use soap. Moreover, use vaginal douches or scented soaps such as betel soap.

Instead of dealing with vaginal discharge, this method can actually cause sensitive vaginal skin to be more prone to irritation and infection.Douching can also disturb the pH balance and good bacteria in the vagina.

If using water alone still doesn't feel clean, use a neutral soap. This means that the soap does not contain perfume / fragrances, antiseptic substances, dyes, and other harsh chemicals. If in doubt, ask the doctor what kind of soap is safe for washing the vagina.

4. Using condoms during sex

Doctors usually advise you not to have sex within 1-2 weeks of treatment. Apart from preventing the spread of infection, it also helps speed healing.

However, if you want to have sex, make sure the doctor has allowed you first and make sure this will not interfere with treatment.

Then while still trying various ways to get rid of vaginal discharge, it's good to ask your partner to use a condom when making love. Using water-based vaginal lubricants can also treat vaginal discharge.

5. Eating yogurt

A published researchJournal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapyreported the content of good bacteria (probiotics) in yogurt can help restore the balance of bacteria and fungi in the vagina.

6. Do not wear tight pants or skirts

When you experience vaginal discharge, try not to wear tight pants or skirts. Pants that are too tight can irritate the vaginal skin and trap sweat against the skin. Areas of the vagina that are constantly moist can slow healing.

7. Routinely see a doctor

The various methods above may not really overcome or get rid of vaginal discharge. Remember, vaginal discharge is generally normal. But at least, these home remedies can help you avoid the risk of recurrent vaginal infections. Vaginal infections, both bacterial and fungal, are the most common cause of abnormal vaginal discharge.

So while trying various ways to get rid of vaginal discharge above, don't be lazy to see a doctor. Especially if you don't feel any improvement in your symptoms.

The doctor will help you choose drugs and other types of treatment that are more effective to speed healing.

Don't forget to take the medicine according to the doctor's instructions. Do not stop treatment unilaterally prematurely because it can make the disease that causes vaginal discharge reappear.

How doctors diagnose abnormal vaginal discharge

Before the doctor recommends a way to deal with your complaints, he will first find out what is the cause of your vaginal discharge through a medical examination.

Later you will be asked various kinds of questions, such as your sexual activity, history of drug use (especially antibiotics), history of health problems such as symptoms of diabetes, to whether you have menopause or not. The doctor will also ask about your health condition and lifestyle.

After that, the doctor will recommend a pelvic exam to diagnose the cause before determining how to treat vaginal discharge. During a pelvic exam, the gynecologist will use an instrument called a speculum to directly see the condition inside the cervix (cervix).

The doctor will then also take a sample of your vaginal discharge to be tested in the laboratory. A vaginal discharge sample will be investigated further to determine what causes it. Whether it's because of a yeast infection, bacterial infection (bacterial vaginosis), or because of a sexually transmitted disease.

If the amount of vaginal discharge is higher than usual but your doctor finds no signs of infection on the sample, don't worry. More vaginal discharge can come out during ovulation, after heavy exercise, on birth control pills, or because of stress.

Excessive vaginal discharge can also indicate that you are experiencing an increase in sex drive. This is normal, as long as the color or smell of the whitish discharge does not change from normal.

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