Greenish discharge during pregnancy is a warning sign, as it may indicate the presence of sexually transmitted infections, such as trichomoniasis, chlamydia or gonorrhea, for example.
In addition to the greenish discharge, which may have a bad smell, other symptoms that may appear are itching or redness in the genital region, pain and burning when urinating, small vaginal bleeding or pain during sexual intercourse.
It is recommended to consult an obstetrician whenever greenish discharge appears during pregnancy, to identify its cause and begin the most appropriate treatment.
6 main causes
The main causes of greenish discharge during pregnancy are:
1. Trichomoniasis
Trichomoniasis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI), which can cause greenish or yellowish discharge, bad smell, redness in the genital region, pain when urinating, itching and the presence of small vaginal bleeding.
This infection is caused by the protozoan Trichomonas vaginaliswhich can also be transmitted during pregnancy if an intimate relationship occurs without a condom with the infected partner.
Trichomoniasis can increase the risk of premature birth or low birth weight and should therefore be treated as quickly as possible.
What to do: You should go to the obstetrician to confirm the diagnosis and start treatment with an antibiotic, such as metronidazole, for around 3 to 7 days. Understand how trichomoniasis is treated.
2. Chlamydia
Chlamydia is another sexually transmitted infection (STI), which usually causes a yellowish, pus-like discharge, but in some cases it can also be greenish.
In addition, other symptoms of chlamydia are pain and burning when urinating, pain and bleeding during intimate contact or pelvic pain.
Chlamydia is caused by the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatisand during pregnancy may increase the risk of premature birth, ruptured membranes, or low birth weight.
Chlamydia in pregnancy, when left untreated, can increase the risk of premature birth, premature rupture of membranes, or low birth weight of the baby
What to do: It is important to follow the treatment indicated by the obstetrician, which is normally done with the use of antibiotics, such as azithromycin or doxycycline. See more details on chlamydia treatment.
3. Gonorrhea
Thick greenish or yellow discharge can also be caused by gonorrhea, which is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacteria Neisseria gonorrhoeae.
Other symptoms of gonorrhea are pain or a burning sensation when urinating, urinary incontinence, itching in the intimate area, bleeding or lumps in the vagina, for example.
Since gonorrhea can affect pregnancy, increasing the risk of miscarriage, premature birth or amniotic fluid infection, it is very important to start treatment quickly.
What to do: You must immediately go to the hospital or obstetrician to start treatment, which in this case involves the use of antibiotics. See how gonorrhea is treated during pregnancy.
4. Pelvic inflammatory disease
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is an inflammation of the upper genital tract, including the uterus, ovaries and fallopian tubes, spreading over a large pelvic area, mainly caused by STIs, such as gonorrhea or chlamydia, which have not been properly treated.
PID can cause yellowish or greenish discharge with a bad smell, and other symptoms such as fever above 38ºC, abdominal pain and even vaginal bleeding.
What to do: treatment with antibiotics recommended by the obstetrician should be carried out. Furthermore, intimate contact should be avoided during treatment. Learn more about treating pelvic inflammatory disease.
5. Cervicitis
Cervicitis is inflammation of the cervix that can cause gray, white, yellowish or greenish vaginal discharge, pain during sexual intercourse or when urinating, pelvic pain or irritation in the vulva.
Cervicitis is most often caused by sexually transmitted infections such as gonorrhea, chlamydia, or trichomoniasis.
What to do: one should consult the obstetrician who should recommend treatment with the use of antibiotics. Furthermore, during treatment it is recommended that the pregnant woman does not have intimate contact and her partner should consult a urologist to assess whether she also has an infection. Check out all the treatment options for cervicitis.
6. Vulvovaginitis
Vulvovaginitis is an inflammation of the vulva and vagina that can cause greenish discharge, as well as irritation, itching, redness and genital inflammation, discomfort or a burning sensation when urinating.
The greenish discharge from vulvovaginitis is usually associated with sexually transmitted infections, such as chlamydia, trichomoniasis or gonorrhea.
What to do: You must undergo treatment with antibiotics prescribed by your obstetrician and avoid intimate contact with your partner, who must also undergo treatment.
Does greenish discharge during pregnancy harm the baby?
Greenish discharge during pregnancy generally indicates the presence of infections, which if left untreated could harm the baby.
Some complications that greenish discharge during pregnancy can cause are premature birth, premature rupture of the membranes, amniotic fluid infection or low birth weight or even increase the risk of miscarriage.
Therefore, pregnant women should always consult their obstetrician when greenish discharge appears, so that the cause can be identified and the most appropriate treatment can be started.
When to go to the obstetrician
It is recommended to consult an obstetrician whenever greenish discharge or other symptoms appear, such as:
- Abdominal or pelvic pain;
- Bad-smelling discharge;
- Itching in the vagina or vulva;
- Pain during intimate contact or when urinating;
- Minor bleeding or bleeding after intimate contact;
- Fever or malaise;
- Dizziness or fainting;
- Nausea or vomiting.
In these cases, the doctor must perform a gynecological examination and request other tests to identify the cause of the symptoms and indicate the most appropriate treatment.
Make an appointment with an obstetrician in the nearest region:
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