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What Causes Vaginal Discharge Between Periods?
Question: My daughter just told me she has concerns about a vaginal discharge between periods. Started a couple of months ago. Has a smell like cheese. Apparently there is a lot of discharge, and she mentioned cleaning internally about 4 times a day. She also has problems with her ovaries (cysts). No idea if that's related. Her urine is now very dark, even though she is drinking a lot of water.
Brief Answer:
Bacterial Vaginosis is most likely in this case...
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for contacting healthcare magic.
If your daughter is suffering from excessive vaginal discharge which is apparently not thick curdy white but transparent and homogenous with cheesy smell ,then it is likely that she may be suffering from bacterial vaginosis. This is a bacterial infection and can be confirmed by isolating "clue cells" specifically on high vaginal swab smear when subjected for histopathological examination. This can be treated with a course of antibiotics for a week. It is hence suggested that she should undergo a per speculum examination and a high vaginal swab for culture to isolate the organism which shall establish the diagnosis.
If there are cysts present in her ovaries and her menses have been irregular or she has excessive hair growth then she may be a case of PCOS, but it is often seen that normal follicles are sometimes confused for cysts as well. Hence unless all criteria are not met PCOS shouldn't be labelled. these cysts are unlikely to be the cause of excessive vaginal discharge. A hormonal profile is must to rule out the same along with an ultrasound pelvis for the cysts confirmation.
A dark urine may indicate a secondary urinary tract infection following bacterial vaginosis, so it is imperative that a urine culture should also be done along with high vaginal swab during examination.
I hope i Have answered your query in detail,
wishing her good health,
regards
Bacterial Vaginosis is most likely in this case...
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for contacting healthcare magic.
If your daughter is suffering from excessive vaginal discharge which is apparently not thick curdy white but transparent and homogenous with cheesy smell ,then it is likely that she may be suffering from bacterial vaginosis. This is a bacterial infection and can be confirmed by isolating "clue cells" specifically on high vaginal swab smear when subjected for histopathological examination. This can be treated with a course of antibiotics for a week. It is hence suggested that she should undergo a per speculum examination and a high vaginal swab for culture to isolate the organism which shall establish the diagnosis.
If there are cysts present in her ovaries and her menses have been irregular or she has excessive hair growth then she may be a case of PCOS, but it is often seen that normal follicles are sometimes confused for cysts as well. Hence unless all criteria are not met PCOS shouldn't be labelled. these cysts are unlikely to be the cause of excessive vaginal discharge. A hormonal profile is must to rule out the same along with an ultrasound pelvis for the cysts confirmation.
A dark urine may indicate a secondary urinary tract infection following bacterial vaginosis, so it is imperative that a urine culture should also be done along with high vaginal swab during examination.
I hope i Have answered your query in detail,
wishing her good health,
regards
Note: Revert back with your gynae reports to get a clear medical analysis by our expert Gynecologic Oncologist. Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
Answered by
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