Vaginal discharge is a normal phenomenon. But what if the healthy balance of your vagina is disturbed and you get complaints? Most women are ashamed of complaints in their intimate areas and stay around with them for too long. However, it is very important to sound the alarm in good time and to have the symptoms treated: you can have an STI.

What is vaginal discharge?

All women have vaginal discharge. The discharge is produced by the cervix and the mucous membrane of the vaginal wall. The discharge provides protection against harmful bacteria and fungi in your vagina. Your menstrual cycle determines the amount, color, odor, and consistency of the discharge. Normal discharge is generally translucent, liquid and has a milky color. Milky discharge is therefore often normal.

The most common complaints in vaginal discharge

When the balance in your vagina is disturbed by, for example, an STI, you often get unpleasant symptoms, such as a lot of white discharge. The most common complaints with vaginal discharge are:

- A foul odour
- Itching and/or irritation
- Abnormal colour
- Pain during urination and/or sexual intercourse
- Granular discharge

If you experience one or more of the above symptoms, it is necessary that you get tested for STIs as soon as possible. If vaginal symptoms remain untreated for too long, this can lead to infertility.

The cause of your vaginal discharge complaints

If you experience symptoms during discharge from your vagina, this indicates two causes: an STI or an infection.

• Gonorrhea (STI). Causes pain urinating; discharge is yellow-greenish-creamy.
•  Chlamydia (STI). Causes white or translucent discharge. May cause pain when urinating.
• Herpes (STI). Causes an abnormal amount of discharge. This is usually preceded by sores on the vulva.
• Trichomonas (parasite). Characterized by a frothy and smelly vaginal discharge. The color of the discharge is usually grayish-white to greenish-yellow. Irritation of the labia and pain when urinating are also common symptoms.
• Candida (infection). The discharge from the vagina resembles thick and grainy curd cheese. Candida, like an STI, is sexually transmitted.
• Bacterial vaginosis (infection). Causes a greyish-white secretion with an acidic, sometimes fishy odour. The infection can be transmitted sexually.

Prevent infertility and get tested for STIs

Vaginale klachten zijn niet alleen vervelend, maar kunnen grote gevolgen hebben voor je gezondheid. Onbehandelde klachten kunnen leiden tot ontstoken eileiders en eierstokken. Ook is het mogelijk dat je er zelfs onvruchtbaar van wordt Het is daarom zeer belangrijk dat je je laat testen op soa’s. Voor Chlamydia, Gonorroe en Trichomonas biedt Onedayclinic een sneltest aan waarbij de uitslag al in 2 uur bekend is.

Complaints that look like an STI? Get tested for STIs in Amsterdam, Utrecht, The Hague, Nijmegen, Eindhoven or Rotterdam

Do you have vaginal discharge symptoms and want to know if you have an STI? At OneDayClinic's STI clinics in Amsterdam, Utrecht, The Hague, Rotterdam, Eindhoven and Nijmegen you can get tested for all types of STIs completely anonymously within 20 minutes. To make an appointment, call 085 070 3483, email contact@onedayclinic.nl. You can also make an anonymous appointment directly online.