Treatments
Vaginal discharge
Every woman has vaginal discharge. That is normal and keeps the vagina clean. If the amount, colour or smell changes, or if it comes with itching or irritation, something may be wrong.
At Femmecare we find out what the cause is, including when symptoms keep coming back or remain unclear.
What is it?
What is normal discharge?
Every woman has some vaginal discharge. It has a protective function: it keeps the vagina clean.
If the discharge changes in amount, colour, smell or thickness, this can point to a cause that needs treatment, such as an infection. Abnormal discharge can be troublesome and can make you feel self-conscious in daily life.
Clear or white, without itchingThat is what normal discharge looks like.
In figures
You are not alone
Problems with discharge are common. It is one of the most frequent gynaecological complaints seen by GPs.
- 3 in 4women have thrush at least once in their lives.
- 5 to 8%of women of childbearing age have thrush more than three times a year.
- More than halfof women with bacterial vaginosis have no symptoms at all.
- 3 in 10times, no infection is found when discharge causes symptoms.
Sources: NVDV, Dutch guideline on sexually transmitted infections, chapter ‘Fluor vaginalis en vaginitis’ (2024); Femmecare patient leaflet ‘Vaginale afscheiding’.
Symptoms
Which symptoms can you have?
Women with abnormal discharge may experience, for example:
- More discharge than usual
- An unpleasant smell
- A different colour, such as yellow, green or grey, or frothy discharge
- Itching or irritation of the vagina or the surrounding skin
- Pain or a burning feeling when passing urine
- Pain during sex
Discharge is part of normal life. Only when it changes, or troubles you, may something be wrong.
Your visit
What do the tests involve?
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A conversation
The doctor will first ask you questions, for example:
- how long you have had symptoms, and what the discharge looks and smells like
- which medicines and creams you use, and how you wash
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Physical examination
The doctor examines the skin around the vagina. Using a speculum, the doctor also examines the vagina and the cervix.
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Sometimes laboratory tests
If symptoms keep returning, or the cause is unclear, the doctor takes a sample of the discharge for laboratory testing. Sometimes the doctor also tests for sexually transmitted infections.
Treatment
Causes and treatment
Treatment depends on the cause. The most common causes are:
Thrush
Itching, irritation and a burning feeling. The discharge has no smell and can be white and lumpy or watery.
Treatment: a tablet inserted into the vagina or a capsule to swallow. If the infection keeps returning, treatment lasts longer.
Bacterial vaginosis
The bacteria in the vagina are out of balance. The discharge is thin and smells different from usual.
Treatment: not always necessary. For symptoms there are antibiotics, or a non-antibiotic treatment that restores the acidity.
Trichomonas
An infection that can be passed on through sex.
Treatment: antibiotics. Your partner needs treatment as well.
Thin, dry mucous membranes
For example after the menopause, when oestrogen levels fall.
Treatment: an oestrogen preparation used in the vagina.
Irritation
For example from soap or other products that irritate the vagina.
Treatment: advice on washing and caring for the vagina.
What can you do yourself?
- Do not use soap or perfumed products on the vagina.
- Wash with lukewarm water only.
- Use cotton panty liners only.
Do the symptoms come back? A routine follow-up appointment is usually not needed. If symptoms return, please contact us. The doctor will discuss with you whether you should come back or whether a telephone consultation is enough.
Our approach
What can you expect?
- A personal approach, without judgement
- Time for explanation, including for recurrent or unclear symptoms
- Insight into recognising and preventing symptoms
See also
For GPs
Referring patients with vaginal discharge
Diagnosis and treatment of pathological discharge, based on the Dutch NHG-Standaard Fluor vaginalis and the NVOG guideline Vaginale infecties.
ZorgDomein: ‘Femmecare Clinics’
Reasons to refer
- Recurrent discharge or vulvovaginal candidiasis
- Treatment failure or unclear cause
- Discharge with vaginal atrophy
- Discharge combined with vulval symptoms
What we offer
- History, inspection and speculum examination
- Culture or PCR for recurrence or doubt; STI testing where indicated
- Treatment according to cause, including partner treatment for trichomonas
- Topical oestrogens for atrophy
Including recurrent symptoms
If you have problems with discharge that do not clear up or keep coming back, you can discuss a referral to Femmecare with your GP.