Diagnosing Genital Herpes - I Have A Vaginal Discharge

by Ms. D
(Louisiana, US)

My boyfriend has had red bumps appear on his penis. They go away, but they come back. So far they have reappeared three times. He has a little itching. The only thing that I can say I have is a vaginal discharge. The discharge is white. What could be happening?

Answer

Patients should see a doctor if they suspect a STD infection. A herpes diagnosis can usually be made by a doctor's visual inspection. If a visual examination is not sufficient for a diagnosis, the doctor may take a tissue scraping or culture from blisters or sores for virologic testing. Blood tests can also be used, especially when a patient has no visible symptoms of herpes.

The vaginal discharge you have can be due to a number of reasons as listed below:

The Top 10 causes of vaginal discharge are:

• Bacterial vaginosis
  

  The most common cause of abnormal vaginal discharge, BV occurs when bacteria that normally live in the vagina overgrow, causing a grey discharge and fishy odor that tend to worsen after sexual intercourse. You may also experience itching or burning and a slight redness and swelling of the vagina or vulva. BV is not sexually transmitted and can be treated with antibiotics.

  
  
• Vaginal yeast infection
  

  Yeast is a fungus that can normally be found in very small amounts in a healthy vagina. If the yeast overgrows, it can cause a yeast infection, which is the second most common cause of abnormal vaginal discharge. Yeast infections may cause a white, cottage cheese-like discharge along with an intense itching sensation, although not everyone with a yeast infection will have the discharge. There may also be swelling around the vulva and sexual intercourse is often painful. The discharge associated with a yeast infection does not usually smell bad; at worst it may smell faintly starchy. Yeast infections are more common in women using antibiotics, who are pregnant, have diabetes, or stay hot and sweaty for long periods. Yeast infections can be treated with antifungal medication medicine you put into your vagina, or with oral medicine.

  
  
• Trichomoniasis
  

  Trichomoniasis is an infection caused by the bacterium Trichomonas vaginalis. It causes copious, thin, bubbly discharge that is yellowish or greenish in color. It is usually associated with an unpleasant odor and pain and itching during urination. Trichomoniasis is often most apparent after your period. You can be infected but have no signs for a long time. Trichomoniasis is usually contracted through unprotected sex with someone who is infected. It can be treated with oral antibiotics.

  
  
• Chlamydia
  

  Chlamydia is the most common sexually transmitted disease (STD) in the United States and is caused by the bacterium, Chlamydia trachomatis. Chlamydia often causes no symptoms, but if untreated, may cause damage to the reproductive organs. The vaginal discharge sometimes associated with Chlamydia is milky or yellow and mucus-like with a mild but unpleasant odor. Other symptoms may include painful urination, lower abdominal pain, and painful sexual intercourse. Chlamydia is easily treatable with antibiotics.

  
  
• Gonorrhea
  

  Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae, a bacterium that can grow and multiply easily in the warm, moist areas of the female reproductive tract. Most women who are infected have no symptoms. If symptoms do occur, they may include a cloudy, yellow or green, pus-like vaginal discharge along with a burning sensation when urinating, persistent lower abdominal pain, and spotting between periods. Complications of untreated gonorrhea include pelvic inflammatory disease and sterility. Most cases of gonorrhea can be treated with common oral antibiotics.

  
  
• Genital herpes
  

  A recurrent outbreak of genital herpes (i.e. not the very first herpes outbreak you experience) may be accompanied by a watery vaginal discharge. Sometimes herpes sores may not be visible in women, so a change in discharge may be the only clue. Often it will be accompanied by itching and burning, pain when urinating, and the presence of oozing blisters.

  
  
• Forgotten tampon or foreign body
  

  If a foreign body is left in the vagina, it will cause a foul-smelling black discharge. This can become dangerous if the infection spreads to the body or blood causing toxic shock syndrome or sepsis.

  
  
• Infected IUD
  

  An infected intrauterine device (IUD) may cause a pus-like cervical discharge along with mild uterine tenderness. Removal of the device should stop the discharge and the pain.

  
  
• Atrophic vaginitis
  

  After menopause, levels of estrogen change dramatically and this can cause changes in vaginal tissues called atrophic vaginitis. A thin, watery discharge, sometimes blood-tinged, may sometimes occur, along with inflammation of the vagina and thinning and shrinking of the vaginal tissues. It only occurs in women who are post-menopausal or whose ovaries have been surgically removed. Symptoms may be aleviated with the use of topical estrogen creams.

  
  
• Cervical or vaginal cancer
  

  Cancers of the lower reproductive tract in women may rarely be the cause of excess vaginal discharge. Early symptoms of cancer may include a continuous vaginal discharge, which may be pale, watery, pink, brown, bloody, or foul-smelling.