Physiological leukorrhea, what is it?

Physiological leukorrhea is a very common situation in women. It basically consists of increasing vaginal discharge. However, although it can be very uncomfortable, it is not usually caused by any health problem.

It is convenient to distinguish physiological leucorrhoea from a pathological one, since sometimes it may be due to an infection or to an object inside the vagina. Usually, Physiological leukorrhea occurs just before menstruation.

The amount of flow can be very large. In some cases, the vulva may become irritated or the woman may become embarrassed or upset. Thus, In this article, we explain what physiological leukorrhea consists of and what to do about it.

What is vaginal discharge?

Under normal conditions, the vaginal discharge has a whitish or transparent color; However, when there are infections, their color and smell vary.

Vaginal discharge it is a liquid that is secreted in the female reproductive system, especially in the walls of the vagina. Its functions are very diverse, such as acting as a lubricant to make sexual intercourse and pregnancy possible.

The flow varies continuously during the menstrual cycle based on hormonal activity. Under normal conditions it is transparent or whitish. However, there are times when these secretions can vary greatly.

When vaginal discharge changes color (turning yellow or slightly green), smell or consistency, it may be due to a problem, such as an infection. The same happens when its quantity increases or decreases too much.

Thus, it is necessary to pay attention to our flow and its characteristics. Any change can be a sign of an infection and can even be a sexually transmitted disease. If in doubt, you should consult the gynecologist.

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What is physiological leukorrhea?

The term leukorrhea refers to an increase in the amount of vaginal discharge secreted. As we mentioned before, this may be due to an infection or a health problem. However, it can also be simply a normal condition.

Physiological leukorrhea is therefore an increase in vaginal discharge that is not due to any pathology or any health problem. In this case, the flow is usually transparent or slightly white. In addition, the smell is usually normal.

The problem is that physiological leukorrhea can worry women. Even, It can be very uncomfortable due to its abundance or because, in some cases, it irritates the woman's vulva.

It is not known very well what is the cause of this situation. It is thought that hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle are the main causes that the flow increases so much in quantity.

On the other hand, It has been linked to stress or excessive hygiene in the area. Also with sexual arousal and pregnancy. But the truth is that it can occur even in babies or girls.

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What can be done against physiological leukorrhea?

Maintaining proper intimate hygiene will help reduce the discomfort caused by physiological leukorrhea.

The main thing is that you go to your GP or your gynecologist. Before a leukorrhea, it is necessary to rule out that the cause is an infection or the presence of a foreign body in your vagina.

To do this, the doctor will take a sample of your vaginal discharge. It is a simple and painless test; You should not feel shame or fear when going to the gynecologist. Once the sample is taken, it is sent to a laboratory.

There, They will perform a culture to rule out pathological bacteria in your vagina. This test can give false negatives, but it is easy to repeat and, in addition, other symptoms are usually taken into account. If there is no bad smell or other discomfort, it is usually physiological leukorrhea.

Once it is clear that it is a physiological leukorrhea and that there is no disease, There are a number of simple steps you can take to reduce your discomfort:

  • Try to maintain proper hygiene. This does not mean that it must be excessive, on the contrary. It is preferable that you wash your intimate area only with water.
  • In addition, you should dry the area well. Be careful, you should do it gently so as not to increase the irritation.
  • Wear cotton underwear that is not too tight.
  • If you have menstruation, choose the protection you use. The use of tampons may favor an infection, and the salvaslips They can irritate the area.

In conclusion

Physiological leukorrhea refers to an increase in vaginal discharge without a pathological cause. If you notice changes in your flow, Ideally, go to the doctor as soon as possible to rule out any possible illness and to establish the necessary measures.