Patient's question:
I often experience abnormal white discharge about half a month apart. The amount is particularly large, and it may contain blood streaks or appear reddish-brown. Sometimes, I also have mild abdominal pain. I start feeling pain a week before my period, and it's very painful on the first day of my period. Occasionally, I also have mild itching in the outer genital area. Is this a disease?Doctor's answer:
Leukorrhea is the main substance that keeps the vagina moist. These secretions from cervical glands and the endometrium are relatively small in amount, and their nature changes with different stages of the menstrual cycle. They also include shed cells from vaginal epithelium and white blood cells, secretions from Bartholin's glands, and secretions from the greater vestibular glands. Normal leukorrhea is white and odorless, and its quantity and quality are related to changes in the body's physiological condition. If the color, quality, or quantity of leukorrhea changes abnormally, it is called abnormal leukorrhea.1. Pathogen infection: Using contaminated hygiene products allows pathogens to enter the reproductive tract through the vaginal opening, causing infection and an increase in leukorrhea. Some types of pathogens entering a woman's reproductive system may infect the reproductive tract, leading to increased leukorrhea secretion.
2. Trichomoniasis: This infection often causes an increase in leukorrhea, accompanied by a foul odor and itching in the genital area.
3. Cervical erosion: Tears during childbirth, changes in sex hormones, or sexual activity can cause cervical inflammation, potentially leading to cervical erosion and an increase in leukorrhea. Some women may experience cervical erosion for no apparent reason, known as congenital cervical erosion, which can also cause increased leukorrhea.
4. Filtrative virus infection of the cervix, vagina, and external genitalia. For example, viruses such as those causing the common cold or sexually transmitted diseases like genital warts often lead to increased leukorrhea.