Womens health

Yellow Green Vaginal Discharge: 4 Symptoms, 9 causes, Diagnosis, 13 Treatments

Yellow green vaginal discharge is common in women, but it is important to see the colour of the discharge to see any abnormality. Usually, the vaginal discharge is white and has no odour.

However, if you notice yellow green vaginal discharge, it could be a sign of infection. It could also be accompanied by symptoms like itching, burning sensation causing discomfort. This could also be accompanied by spotting.

Symptoms of vaginal discharge:

yellow green vaginal discharge
Image source: pinterest.com

The colour of the discharge may vary from grey, greenish or you may have yellow green vaginal discharge depending on the type of problem or the type of infection. Various diseases and infections are associated with vaginal discharge, and the colour of the discharge varies accordingly:

Bacterial Vaginosis:

This is a bacterial infection, and it usually has a white or greyish discharge, characterized by foul and fishy smell.

Trichomonas:

Trichomonas produces frothy and yellow or green discharge. The yellow green vaginal discharge is accompanied by sharp odour. This infection also causes irritation and discomfort which is more during intercourse or urination. There is also itching and irritation in the genital organs.

Gonorrhoea:

Symptoms will not occur in every woman, but in some women, this could lead to irritation or inflammation of the genitals. It can also be accompanied by burning while urination or frequent urination. It also causes the production of thick yellow green vaginal discharge.

Chlamydia:

It has symptoms similar to gonorrhoea and certain symptoms of urinary tract infection. It produces yellow green vaginal discharge similar to Gonorrhea.

Causes of yellow green vaginal discharge:

The cause of the yellow yellow green vaginal discharge varies with according to the symptom it is showing and the causative agent:

Cervicitis:

It is the inflammation of the cervix or the uterus and may be caused by the bacterial infection or any birth control devices used.

Bacterial vaginosis:

This condition occurs because of the inappropriate growth or number of bacteria residing in the vagina. The exact reason for the imbalance of bacteria is not known.

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Trichomoniasis:

This infection is caused because of a parasite is known as Trichomonas vaginalis. This infection usually gets transmitted due to sexual intercourse.

Gonorrhoea:

This is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) and occurs due to sexual intercourse. This is caused by the bacteria Neisseria Gonorrhoeae.

Chlamydia:

This is another sexually transmitted disease (STD) which may not have many symptoms and is caused by the bacteria chlamydia trachomatis.

Yeast infection:

This leads to the overgrowth of yeast in the vagina and is often due to antibiotic use. Yeast infection alters the normal balance of the bacteria.

Apart from the above causes, there could be other causes of yellow green vaginal dischargeas well which includes:

Obstructive:

An object inserted into the vagina for quite some time can obstruct the vaginal flow and can lead to abnormal vaginal discharge.

Topical sprays:

Certain sprays and soaps can lead to an imbalance in the yellow green vaginal discharge and can also lead to unusual odour from the vaginal discharge.

Anatomical:

A rare condition is when the fistula, an opening between rectum and vagina let the faeces pass to a vagina. This leads to a foul-smelling discharge and green or brownish vaginal discharge or yellow green vaginal discharge.

Diagnosis of the cause of the yellow green vaginal discharge:

Depending on the causative agent, the diagnosis needs to be done. Some of the diagnosis steps and tests performed are mentioned below:

Patient history: Doctor will check the patient history to see if there is any history of a vaginal or urinary tract infection.

Physical examination: Doctor may do a physical examination of the person which includes checking of the pelvic area, examination of the genital area etc. The doctor may examine the inner walls of cervix using a speculum to check for the signs and symptoms.

Yellow green vaginal discharge test: The doctor may take a swab of the yellow green vaginal discharge and check it under a microscope. It will assist the doctor to decide on the type of infection and can treat accordingly.

Self-examination: Diagnosis can be done better and faster with the help of the patient. It is important in this case that the person describes the symptoms clearly to the doctor.

It will also help if a person experiencing makes a chart of the yellow green vaginal discharge routine, as the symptoms also vary from person to person and depend on the person’s current life phase.

See also  Wet Vagina: 6 Causes, Symptoms & Treatments

Treatment of the yellow or green vaginal discharge:

Treatment options for this vary depending on the diagnosis done and the type of infection.

There are a plethora of home remedies and lifestyle changes that can be used to treat yellow green vaginal discharge or prevent this.

A cold compress or an ice pack:

If there is itching or swelling in the affected area then the ice pack can provide relief to the area. The ice pack should not be used directly but should be wrapped in a cloth.

OTC medicines:

In case of fungal infection, one can apply an anti-fungal cream available without the prescription.

One can also use herbal or scented soaps to the vaginal area; this would help restore the balance of the bacteria in the vaginal area.

Use of condom:

As most, of these diseases are STD (sexually transmitted disease), one should practice safe sex and should use a condom while doing intercourse.

Apple cider:

This is a wonderful natural ingredient and has a good antiseptic property. It also helps to restore the pH in the vaginal area. Apple cider can be used by mixing it with some warm water; the resultant solution can be used to wash the area.

Fenugreek seeds:

Fenugreek seeds apart from stabilizing the pH, helps in boosting the immunity of the person. Fenugreek seeds also help in treating many menstrual problems. Fenugreek seeds can be kept soaked in the water for overnight and can be used as a wash and can also drink it orally

Indian gooseberry:

The anti-infectious property of this helps to fight many vaginal disorders; it boosts the immunity as well as helps in preventing vaginal infections. Gooseberry powder can be mixed with water to form a paste and can be consumed orally.

Fruits and vegetables:

Similarly, many natural fruits and vegetables can help in treating and preventing vaginal disorders. Some of them include banana, Fig, Ladyfinger, Cranberry, Pomegranate, saffron and Indian Lilac

Cranberry:

Cranberry has an antifungal, antibiotic and antibacterial property which helps to restore the bacterial balance and in fighting the infection caused due to them

Indian Lilac:

Indian Lilac also has helped to cure yellow green vaginal discharge and is effective in treating vagina odour. This can be used by soaking the leaves in water overnight and then using the strained water as a vaginal wash.

Pomegranate:

Pomegranate has an excellent property against the vaginal discharge. Pomegranate can be used as a fruit daily; it can help in providing comfort from vaginal discharge

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Saffron:

Saffron also helps to treat yellow green vaginal discharge apart from boosting the immunity. For vaginal issues, one teaspoon full of saffron mixed with boiled water can be taken orally. This can help in relieving vaginal disorders.

In case, you don’t get relief using natural substances; a medical practitioner should be consulted. The doctor may suggest following treatment options:

Antibiotics:

A doctor based on the diagnosis whether it is a bacterial or viral infection, prescribe antiseptics and antibiotics. Antibiotics are also the course of treatment of sexually transmitted disease as well.

  • For bacterial vaginosis, a doctor may prescribe metronidazole, clindamycin cream or tinidazole
  • Trichomonas: This can also be treated using metronidazole or tinidazole
  • Gonorrhoea: For Gonorrhea, ceftriaxone or cefixime is given orally as the preferred choice of treatment.
  • Chlamydia: This is treated using oral medicines such as azithromycin or doxycycline.
  • Yeast infections can be treated by utilizing topical creams such as clotrimazole, miconazole or terconazole.

It is important that the patient takes a complete course of the antibiotic as prescribed by the doctor. This would help in the treatment and would also prevent any relapse of the disease. Antibiotic and antifungal medicines are effective in treating most of the infections.

Surgery:

In case the yellow or green discharge is due to one of the rare cases which are an injury to fistula, disrupting the natural function. The doctor may perform surgery to restore fistula and its functioning.

Prevention:

It is important to use certain preventive measures to reduce the chance of infections. Some of the preventive measures include:

  • After using a toilet, one should wipe the whole area to prevent any chances of bacterial infection
  • Soft and cotton clothes should be preferred
  • One should change the laundry detergent in case the current detergent is causing any itching or discomfort
  • One should take a bath daily to prevent any growth of bacteria or any microbe
  • Sprays and soaps can be harmful to some and should not be used
  • Tight clothes should be prevented as they don’t allow to breath and might lead to infection due to sweat accumulation

Yellow green vaginal discharge is a criterion of someone’s healthy living. The colour and amount of discharge is the criterion of one’s health. Healthy discharge keeps the infection in control as well.

An abnormal discharge, colour or smell is a sign of infection and is a sign of vaginal infection or disease. It is important to carefully monitor the yellow green vaginal discharge to see any signs of disease.

References:
  1. https://www.buoyhealth.com/symptoms-a-z/green-vaginal-discharge/https://www.healthline.com/health/vaginal-discharge-color-guide
  2. https://www.healthgrades.com/right-care/womens-health/green-vaginal-discharge
  3. https://www.emedicinehealth.com/vaginal_discharge/article_em.htm
  4. https://www.healthgrades.com/right-care/womens-health/green-vaginal-discharge
  5. https://www.clinicaladvisor.com/features/how-and-when-to-treat-vaginal-discharge/article/117877/

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