Lifestyle Choices

Vaginal discharge is a fluid coming from the vagina, normally clear, cloudy or whitish. The consistency and amount of discharge varies during your menstrual cycle. The vagina normally contains bacteria as well as fungal organisms, and a healthy vagina keeps a balance of these bacteria and fungi. Bacterial growth is controlled and affected by many different factors, such as acid level (pH) and hormones. Anything that upsets this balance may increase your risk of infection or overgrowth of any of the normal bacteria or by yeast. Possible triggers include:

1) Antibiotic use

1. Birth-control pills

3) Douching

4) Diabetes

5) Pregnancy

6) Stress

1. Tight or synthetic undergarments

What indicates an abnormal discharge or vaginitis (inflammation of the vagina)?

1. itching

2. burning

1. offensive-smelling discharge
2. a yellowish or greenish colour
3. painful vagina, especially during intercourse
4. discomfort and burning during intercourse
5. swelling or redness of the lips of the vagina
6. discomfort or burning with urination.

Causes of an abnormal discharge

1. Candida, or thrush (a yeast infection), is the most common. Most women experience at least one bout of candida in their lifetime.
2. Bacterial vaginosis, commonly caused by a change in the normal bacteria of the vagina. This does not mean it is a sexually transmitted infection. It includes Gardnerella, a type of bacteria found normally in the female genital tract and Trichomonas, a type of parasite.
3. Atrophic vaginitis — irritation of the vagina that causes burning and dryness (common at menopause).
4. A foreign body in the vagina, such as a forgotten tampon or infection with the intrauterine device (IUD).
5. Sexually transmitted Infections (STIs), such as gonorrhea, genital herpes, or chlamydia.

Take charge, take care, take action

It is important that you do not ignore a vaginal discharge. It probably will not go away on its own and a sexually transmitted infection can develop into pelvic inflammatory disease which involves the structures within your pelvis, especially your Fallopian tubes, which is serious. You do need to see your doctor for an abnormal discharge. He or she will need to perform a pelvic examination using a device called a speculum to look at the cervix directly. During the pelvic exam, a sample of discharge is collected for testing in a laboratory.

A vaginal discharge from a bacterial or yeast infection responds to treatment with antibiotics or antifungals (depending on infection) within a few days to a week. Sexually transmitted diseases also should respond to antibiotic treatment within a week. If the infection progresses to pelvic inflammatory disease beyond the vaginal area, it may take much longer to treat.

With sexually transmitted infections, your partner will need to be treated too. Be aware that with multiple partners, you run a high risk of developing many sexually transmitted infections and HIV. Use condoms, practise safe sex and seriously consider changing your lifestyle.

Violence against women (gender-based violence)

Gender-based violence, or violence against women, is a major public health and human rights problem throughout the world. On average, a woman is raped in South Africa every minute. It is estimated that about one in every three women will be a victim of rape in their lifetime. This translates to more than 1000 women being raped daily. Such violence is pervasive in all societies and in South Africa is a particularly serious problem. The World Health Organisation classifies VAW (Violence Against Women) into two categories.

1. Violence against women by an intimate male partner or ex-partner, which is known as domestic violence. This category includes physical and sexual violence, emotional abuse, and a range of coercive behaviours. In South Africa, one adult woman out of every six is assaulted regularly by her mate.
2. The second category is sexual violence, which includes rape and other forms of sexual coercion, either by partners or by others.

Violence against women also interacts with the HIV epidemic in many ways. Obviously it is always unprotected intercourse and often more physical trauma to the vagina is possible than with consensual sex. Many committed rapes are performed by gangs, thereby increasing the viral exposure, and the prevalence of the HIV virus in rapists is high.

Take charge, take care, take action

Gender-based violence is everyone’s issue.

Know that you are not powerless and you are not alone. If you are in an abusive relationship, it is not your fault so do not feel shame.You are not trapped and there Is a way to get out. There are many organisations to help you, such as POWA (People Opposing Woman Abuse).

Being cautious, such as not driving alone at night, not talking to strangers or not accepting a lift, may cause you to be less vulnerable. But it does not mean that you should live in fear, or that altering your lifestyle will make you safe from attack. It does mean that you should be aware of the problem and make minor changes when possible. Learn to assess your particular situation and plan ahead.

The matter of rape should never be passed over lightly. It essential to try and report the incident. There are many really caring and efficient rape clinics where the reporting, examination and testing is all done in a very sensitive manner. You can ask to have a female doctor, nurse or other woman present during the examination. The doctor may offer a tranquilliser and will test for sexually transmitted infections and HIV. HIV prophylaxis must also be given. It is essential to receive psychological counselling after this traumatic experience.

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Urinary tract infection Vaginal discharges/infections

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