Yellow discharge: what it can be (and how to treat it)

Yellow discharge can be a sign of infection, such as trichomoniasis, chlamydia or gonorrhea, for example, especially when accompanied by other symptoms, such as itching in the genital region, bad smell and pain when urinating.

However, in general, yellow discharge is not a sign of a problem, especially if it is light yellow. This type of discharge is normal in women who have thicker discharge, especially during ovulation.

Whenever there is any doubt about the discharge, it is very important to consult a gynecologist, to identify the problem and initiate the most appropriate treatment, which can vary greatly depending on the cause of the discharge.

Causes of yellow discharge

The main causes for the appearance of yellow discharge are:

1. Trichomoniasis

Trichomoniasis is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the protozoan Trichomonas vaginalis, which leads to the appearance of greenish-yellow discharge, with a strong smell, pain and discomfort when urinating and redness in the genital region. Know how to recognize other symptoms of trichomoniasis.

What to do: The treatment for trichomoniasis must be carried out by the couple, even if there are no apparent signs and symptoms, and the gynecologist recommends the use of Metronidazole in the form of a tablet or ointment for local application.

2. Chlamydia

Chlamydia is also a sexually transmitted infection caused by the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatiswhich causes yellowish discharge, pain and burning when urinating, pain and bleeding during sexual intercourse, pelvic pain and bleeding outside the menstrual period.

What to do: It is important to follow the treatment indicated by the doctor, which normally indicates the use of antibiotics such as Azithromycin or Doxycycline. Check out more details about chlamydia treatment.

3. Gonorrhea

Gonorrhea is a disease caused by bacteria Neisseria gonorrhoeae, which can be transmitted through unprotected sexual intercourse. Infection with this bacteria can cause yellowish discharge, pain and burning when urinating and frequent urge to urinate.

What to do: in this case, it is recommended that the gynecologist be consulted so that treatment can be started, which involves the use of antibiotics. See more about gonorrhea.

4. Urethritis

Inflammation of the urethra, known scientifically as urethritis, can occur due to trauma to the urethra or due to an infection, and is therefore more common in women who have recurrent urinary infections or who do not have adequate hygiene.

In these cases, the discharge may have a greenish-yellow color and may be accompanied by other symptoms such as burning when urinating, difficulty in starting the stream of urine and itching in the region, for example.

What to do: you should consult your gynecologist to confirm the diagnosis and start treatment with an antibiotic, such as Azithromycin or Ceftriaxone. Check out what other remedies can be used in the treatment.

5. Pelvic inflammatory disease

Pelvic inflammatory disease, or PID, is an infection of the female reproductive organs that generally begins in the vagina and progresses to the uterus, causing the appearance of a yellowish discharge and other symptoms such as fever above 38ºC, pain in the lower abdomen and even vaginal bleeding.

What to do: It is very important to consult a gynecologist if PID is suspected, as it is generally necessary to start treatment with antibiotics for around 2 weeks. During treatment, sexual intercourse should also be avoided to facilitate recovery. Understand more about how this infection is treated.

Yellow discharge during pregnancy

During pregnancy, yellowish discharge can be caused by the leakage of amniotic fluid or mucous plug, but it can also be a sign of a sexually transmitted infection, such as trichomoniasis or chlamydia. Check out the main causes of yellow discharge during pregnancy and what to do in each situation.

In the presence of yellow discharge, it is important that pregnant women consult a gynecologist to identify the cause and begin the most appropriate treatment.

Care during treatment

Although treatment may vary depending on the cause of the discharge, there are some tips that may be important in any case. One of these tips is that the partner should also undergo treatment, even if they do not present symptoms, to prevent the person from becoming infected again.

Furthermore, it is also recommended:

• Use a condom to avoid contaminating your partner;
• Avoid using vaginal douches because douches remove the bacterial layer from the intimate region responsible for protecting this region from infections;
• Avoid using perfumes or sprays intimate hygiene, as they alter the vaginal pH;
• Wear cotton underwear, as cotton does not cause irritation;
• Avoid wearing tight pants or shorts, preferring to wear skirts or dresses to allow the area to air.

Another tip for treating yellow discharge is to avoid internal absorbents, preferring external ones.

Check out the video below how to correctly identify yellow discharge and what it could be: