Table of contents:
- The choice of vaginal discharge based on the cause
- 1. Whitish due to vaginal bacterial infection (bacterial vaginosis)
- Metronidazole (Flagyl)
- Tinidazole (Tindamax)
- Clindamycin (Cleocin, Clindesse, etc.)
- 2. Trichomoniasis
- 3. Gonorrhea
- Azithromycin
- Doxycycline
- Ceftriaxone
- Erythromycin
- 4. Chlamydia
- 5. Vaginal yeast infection
- 6. Pelvic inflammatory disease
- Ofloxacin
- Moxifloxacin
- 7.Inflammation of the cervix (cervix)
- 8. Vaginitis
- 9. Cervical cancer
- Your partner may also need the same medicine, although not vaginal discharge
Normal vaginal discharge is usually clear or white without a strong odor. However, if the discharge suddenly looks different, changes color, or smells strange, this could be a sign of illness. Especially if it is accompanied by itching or pain in the vagina. Then how do you deal with vaginal discharge that is not normal? Choosing a drug for abnormal vaginal discharge should be based on the cause.
The choice of vaginal discharge based on the cause
If you suspect the discharge looks abnormal, you should check with your doctor first. Carelessly diagnosing yourself and using drugs without a doctor's recommendation can actually worsen your condition. Why?
Consulting a doctor can help speed up healing of the disease. Doctors can recommend vaginal discharge drugs based on the cause. Abnormal vaginal discharge is usually caused by certain infections or diseases.
Even so, the characteristics of abnormal vaginal discharge are generally similar even though the causes may be different. So, the choice of drug can also be different for each case. The drugs given will help relieve specific symptoms that arise from the disease that causes them, as well as automatically overcome vaginal discharge.
Here are various choices of vaginal discharge based on the cause:
1. Whitish due to vaginal bacterial infection (bacterial vaginosis)
Leucorrhoea due to bacterial infection (bacterial vaginosis) is characterized by a higher amount of mucus than usual, is more watery, and has a grayish color with a fishy smell. Bacterial vaginosis also causes women to experience pain during sex or urinating.
This condition is caused by bacterial growth Gardnerella vaginitisbeyond reasonable limits. So because the cause is bacteria, the right medicine for this type of vaginal discharge is antibiotics such as:
Metronidazole (Flagyl)
Metronidazole is more effective at inhibiting the growth of bad bacteria in the vagina than other types of antibiotics. This antibiotic is available in pill or gel form that is applied to the skin of the vagina.
Unfortunately, it causes more side effects than other drugs. Starting from dizziness, headaches, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, loss, appetite, to diarrhea.
Avoid drinking alcohol while using this medicine.
Tinidazole (Tindamax)
This antibiotic drug is the same as metronidazole which also inhibits the growth of bacteria that cause vaginal discharge. However, tinidazole has fewer side effects.
This medication is available as a cream that is applied thinly to the vagina. Avoid drinking alcohol while taking tinidazole.
Clindamycin (Cleocin, Clindesse, etc.)
Clindamycin is available as a cream that is applied to the vagina. Clindamycin works to stop the growth of bacteria and prevent the infection from spreading to other parts of the body.
It is advisable to use another method of contraception when having sex, as this medicine can damage the material of the condom even after three days of stopping using it.
2. Trichomoniasis
Trichomoniasis is a vaginal infection caused by parasitesTrichomonas vaginalis.
The characteristic of vaginal discharge due to this disease is mucus that changes color to greenish yellow and smells. Other symptoms that usually appear are vaginal itching and pain when urinating or having sex.
The drug for vaginal discharge due to trichomoniasis is the antibiotic metronidazole (flagyl) or tinidazole in a single dose.
3. Gonorrhea
Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease caused by bacteria Neisseria gonorrhoeae.This infection causes the vagina to become red and swollen, causing a burning sensation, itching, and pain when urinating.
The discharge that appears due to gonorrhea is a mixture of pus that comes out with the urine.
The drug for mild gonorrhea vaginal discharge is penicillin. However, in more severe cases, penicillin may no longer be effective because the bacteria have become more resistant. So, the alternative medicine is:
Azithromycin
Azithromycin is a follow-up drug used when penicillin is unable to cure gonorrhea. The side effects of this antibiotic on the digestive system are also less than penicillin.
Doxycycline
Doxycycline is used as an alternative if azithromycin is unable to kill bacteria. However, this drug is not recommended for women who are planning or are pregnant because of the risk of causing birth defects.
Doxycycline is given one dose once a week. However, during use, the skin can become more sensitive, so you should avoid direct sunlight.
Protect yourself by applying sunscreen and wearing long clothes that cover your skin.
Ceftriaxone
Ceftriaxone works to stop the growth of bacteria, while reducing the symptoms of gonorrhea, one of which is vaginal discharge. Ceftriaxone is usually given once or twice a day by injection into a muscle or vein.
The side effects that often arise from this antibiotic are swelling, redness, and pain at the injection site. If any of these effects persist or worsen, consult a doctor immediately.
Erythromycin
Gonorrhea can be passed from mother to child if the mother contracted the disease during pregnancy. Erythromycin is only used in babies born to have gonorrhea infection from their mothers. This drug is given by injection.
4. Chlamydia
Chlamydia is caused by bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis. Generally, this disease does not cause special symptoms.
However, an excessive amount of vaginal discharge than usual is an early sign. Excessive vaginal discharge due to chlamydia is also usually accompanied by pain and heat when urinating or having sex, as well as abdominal pain accompanied by fever.
Medicines to treat vaginal discharge due to chlamydia include a combination of the antibiotic azithromycin and doxycycline. This combination is effective in curing chlamydia by up to 90 percent. The antibiotics levofloxacin or ofloxacin can be used if the bacteria have become resistant to other antibiotics.
5. Vaginal yeast infection
Mushroom Candida that live around the vagina can continue to multiply and cause vaginal yeast infections.
The discharge that results from this condition is usually thicker, thicker, and white in color, but odorless. In addition, other symptoms include pain and burning in the vagina when urinating or having sex.
This condition can be treated with antifungal drugs in the form of creams, ointments, or tablets. For example miconazole, terponazole, clotrimazole, or butoconazole. These medicines are only used for short-term treatment of three to seven days.
There is also fluconazole which is used for three days to treat symptoms of a severe infection.
6. Pelvic inflammatory disease
Pelvic inflammatory disease is mostly caused by continued bacterial infection of chlamydia or gonorrhea.
Reporting from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, here are some antibiotics commonly used to treat pelvic inflammation:
Ofloxacin
Ofloxacin is a tablet-shaped antibiotic that can be taken with or without food first.
Take ofloxacin at the same time every day at 12 hour intervals. However, the length of treatment depends on the type of infection you have.
Make sure to take the medicine according to the way it is used and the recommendations prescribed. Take the antibiotic for the duration of its consumption. The goal is to prevent the bacteria from returning to infect or being resistant to treatment.
In addition to pelvic inflammation, this drug is also used to treat pneumonia and bladder infections.
Moxifloxacin
Similar to ofloxacin, moxifloxacin helps stop the growth of bacteria including pelvic inflammatory disease.
When taking this medicine, there are various side effects that will arise, namely nausea, diarrhea, dizziness, headache, weakness, or difficulty sleeping. If any of these effects persist or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist right away.
7.Inflammation of the cervix (cervix)
Medicines used for inflammation of the cervix depend on the type of infection causing it. If the inflammation is caused by a sexually transmitted disease such as gonorrhea, the doctor will give you an injection of the antibiotic ceftriaxone and one dose of azithromycin to drink.
If the initial cause is chlamydia, pelvic inflammatory drugs are drinking antibiotics such as azithromycin (Zithromax), doxycycline, ofloxacin (Floxin), or levofloxacin (Levaquin). Meanwhile, if it is caused by trichomoniasis, the drug is metronidazole.
If pelvic inflammation is caused by inserting an IUD, the doctor will adjust the targeted antibiotic for the specific type of bacteria.
Inflammation will usually heal in a matter of days to weeks.
8. Vaginitis
Just like inflammation of the cervix, the choice of drug for vaginitis is also adjusted according to the cause. For vaginitis caused by bacteria, the doctor will prescribe a metronidazole (Flagyl) drinking tablet or gel to be applied directly to the vaginal skin.
Meanwhile, for fungal infections, the doctor will provide over-the-counter creams or suppositories such as miconazole (Monistat 1), clotrimazole (Gyne-Lotrimin), butoconazole (Femstat 3) or tioconazole (Vagistat-1). Yeast infections can also be treated with prescription oral antifungal drugs such as fluconazole (Diflucan).
For trichomoniasis, the doctor will prescribe metronidazole (Flagyl) or tinidazole (Tindamax) tablets. Meanwhile, for vaginal atrophy syndrome due to menopause, the doctor will provide estrogen therapy. Estrogen can be given in the form of vaginal creams, tablets or rings.
However, if the cause is not bacteria or fungi, the doctor will first determine the source of the irritation. If it has been found, the doctor will ask you to avoid these various materials or substances.
9. Cervical cancer
Cervical cancer is a disease that causes vaginal discharge. To get rid of vaginal discharge, doctors will not give specific drugs for these symptoms only. However, comprehensive treatment will be carried out so that the cancer can be completely cured.
Chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery are the most widely used cervical cancer treatment procedures. Among the three, chemotherapy is a procedure that uses a lot of drugs in the process. Medicines are generally given intravenously so they go directly into the blood vessels.
To treat cervical cancer, the drugs most often used are:
- Cisplatin
- Carboplatin
- Paclitaxel (Taxol®)
- Topotecan
- Gemcitabine (Gemzar®)
Several other drugs can also be used, such as docetaxel (Taxotere®), ifosfamide (Ifex®), 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), irinotecan (Camptosar®), and mitomycin.
Just like drugs in general, various cancer cell killer drugs can also cause side effects. The risk of chemotherapy side effects will depend on the type and dose of drugs and the length of treatment. The most common side effects include:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Appetite lost
- Hair loss
- Mouth sores
- Severe fatigue
Your partner may also need the same medicine, although not vaginal discharge
It is not only women who need to get medication for vaginal discharge. Her partner too.
If the vaginal discharge is caused by a sexually transmitted disease, then the partner should also undergo examination and follow the same treatment to avoid transmission.
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