Dear Symbat!

Normally, vaginal secretions of a healthy woman appear as clear or translucent mucus and have a small volume of about 1-2 ml per day. Depending on the phases of the menstrual cycle, the discharge may increase or decrease, but they should not cause significant anxiety. Healthy discharge practically does not smell if a woman changes her underwear daily and observes the basic rules of personal hygiene.

Abundant white vaginal discharge with a pungent smell of yoghurt suggests the presence of inflammatory process  in the vaginal mucosa.

There are several reasons for this.:

• On the mucous membrane of the vagina lives a lot of bacteria, which in the process of life emit lactic acid and hydrogen peroxide. On the one hand, this environment helps to clean the vagina from disease-causing bacteria, for which these substances are destructive, but, on the other hand, it can give a specific and persistent odor to secretions, especially in the case of vaginal dysbiosis, in which the mucosal bacterial flora is disturbed.
• The natural environment of the mucosa consists of beneficial lactobacilli that block the reproduction of other unwanted guests - the bacteria streptococcus, staphylococcus, ureaplasma and others. Reducing the number of lactobacilli, for example, with a decrease in immunity, causes active reproduction of harmful bacteria - infectious agents. Vaginal discharge  amplify, get an unpleasant smell; it may also be accompanied by itching, pain, inflammation. bladderif the infection has reached the urinary tract.
• Many inflammatory processes, such as the formation of adhesions in the fallopian tubes or polycystic ovaries, are asymptomatic. The smell of sour milk can signal the presence of the above described diseases even in the absence of other signs of illness.
• If the discharge in addition to the unpleasant odor acquired a yellowish or greenish color, then this is a sign of a bacterial infection. So, with urogenital trichomoniasis, the secretions are white or yellow in color and have a thick consistency. Urogenital candidiasis or thrush is characterized by white cheesy discharge, cause itching  in the area of ​​the external genital organs, pain and pain when urinating.

In your situation, the gynecologist should have prescribed following examinations:

1. Investigation of unstained vaginal discharge
2. Investigation of colored vaginal discharge
3. Mycological study to determine the type of fungus that causes thrush
4. General analysis  blood and urine
5. Blood test for sugar, HIV infection, sexually transmitted infections
6. PCR diagnosis of a vaginal smear on infectious bacteria
7. Blood test for sex hormones and thyroid hormones
8. Examination of the sexual partner for the presence of pathogens of bacterial or viral infections

You mentioned that you have three children. Stressful situations, weakened immunity, for example, due to prolonged breastfeeding, or hormonal changes accompanying the period of childbearing and the postpartum period, can also be the cause of the appearance of white secretions with sour smell.

To date, there are a large number of modern, proven drugs  for the treatment of disorders of the vaginal microflora, in particular, candidiasis. Perhaps the reason that you have had a sour odor for 5 years has not been found. Make sure that all of the above methods of examination have been passed by you, and if you identify the causes of your problem, undergo a course treatment at the gynecologist.

Sometimes there is a white discharge with a sour smell from the genitals of a woman. What is it and how to treat ailment? There may be several reasons.

Genitourinary system  women are designed so that when there are deviations from normal functioning, discharge may appear unpleasant smell  from the vagina. This phenomenon brings discomfort and is accompanied by painful condition. What is the reason for such discharge, when do they arise and how dangerous are they? These questions are of concern to many of the fair sex, who have similar signs.

Do not ignore the unpleasant phenomenon, even if it will be a slight discharge with a sour smell. Some women delay a visit to the gynecologist, try to eliminate the white discharge on their own, resort to flavored means. intimate hygiene. All this will only aggravate the situation, because it may be that such discharge is a symptom of a female disease.

Not always discharge with a sour odor is a pathology that carries a threat and danger. The released substance is in the form of a whitish, clear, sometimes cream or dark liquid, yellow discharge  With a sour smell from the genitals of a woman, this is a natural gynecological picture, especially if it is not accompanied by an itchy sensation, the appearance of edema and an unpleasant smell. Such leaks occur during pregnancy, after childbirth as postoperative residual exudate, after menstruation, in the periods before and after menopause.

In the vagina is lactic acid bacterial flora, which may contribute to the appearance of a white discharge. This flora maintains an acidic environment, prevents the passage and penetration of pathogenic infections into abdominal cavity  and in the pelvic area. The smell of these secretions is associated with the smell of sour milk, they serve as a natural lubricant that supports the normal moisture of the mucous surface of the walls. Sometimes there is a highlight. yellow color. If there are not many of them and they do not have a sharp smell, then this is permissible and is not a pathology.

Therefore, it is not worth worrying about this situation, especially when you have just finished your period, or you are pregnant. There is nothing terrible and disturbing in the secretions of white color during pregnancy. You need to worry about the fact that this physiological factor confirmed by the gynecologist after the examination, taking the appropriate smears and scrapings. You will be recommended procedures and measures that will reduce white discharge with an unpleasant odor and minimize discomfort.

Warning - dangerous!

But, unfortunately, the aforementioned environment, created by lactic acid bacteria, in the form of harmless secretions of white color, is not always a reliable barrier that closes the course to infection, destroys harmful viruses. There are the strongest modifications of diseases, such as:

• HIV infection, AIDS;
• syphilis;
• gonorrhea;
• trichomoniasis;
• candidiasis;
• golden streptococcus;
• staphylococcal intoxication.

For them, there is no difficulty in overcoming this barrier. They easily penetrate the body, hide in ribbed vaginal folds, rapidly multiply and create pockets of serious diseases. Untreated, neglected sexually transmitted diseases can have the following consequences:

• death from immunodeficiency;
• persistent irreversible infertility;
• obstruction of the fallopian tubes;
• the disappearance of the follicular base in the ovaries;
• endometritis of the uterus;
• miscarriage;
• thinning, detachment of the fertile mucous membrane of the uterus;
• chronic urinary incontinence;
• lesion of the cervical canal of the ureter;
• genetic congenital abnormalities of the fetus.

Description of the characteristic signs of pathological secretions

What is the selection of women can be classified as disadvantaged, saying that infection has occurred, or there is inflammation or other ailment?

An urgent need to contact a specialist in female diseases, if there were abundant cheesy discharge with a sour smell, accompanied by swelling in the vagina, accumulating in the labia minorae, causing irritation to them.

Even more disturbing circumstances are thick, stinging, frothy, constantly evolving yellow-green gonorrheal substances with a repulsive odor. Almost simultaneously, women celebrate nagging pains  lower abdomen, extending into the lower back, into the pelvis, sharp and frequent urge to urinate. At the same time, the portion of urine is scanty, urination painful, spasmodic.

Long lasting brown discharge  may appear after menstruation as a kind of cleansing rejection of residues, but they should not exceed 6 days after the end of menstruation. Otherwise, it indicates a violation of the menstrual function, inflammatory processes in the appendages. Such secretions may be harbingers of menopause. Often the reasons lie in the presence of a disease such as fibroids or uterine fibroids.It is possible the presence of cysts, tumor-like neoplasms, destroying the adjacent small and large venous vessels.

Doctors diagnose and treat

It will not be possible to diagnose diseases after menstruation only with one external examination on a gynecological chair. Only a comprehensive extensive examination, including laboratory tests, will be able to identify the problem.

As a rule, purely individual treatment is prescribed. Included are adverse factors, sluggish somatic diseases, early infectious diseases, such as measles, hepatitis. An important role is played diabetes, severe allergies, intolerance to antibiotics.

Treat gynecological, venereal diseases of women who have been diagnosed pathological discharge  with an unpleasant smell, it is necessary cardinally and only antibiotics.

Caution and wish

The organs of the reproductive system must be protected from the youth. They are the foundation of your feminine, maternal fate.

It is easy to observe the hygiene of the genitals, to avoid promiscuous and casual sex, to use contraceptives in sex.

In addition, it is necessary to regularly visit the examination room in the antenatal clinic for the purpose of prevention.

Vaginal discharge is perfectly normal for every woman. But a completely different question if you started vaginal discharge with a smell. Most often women complain sour smell  vaginal discharge, sometimes it may be accompanied by itching or pain in the lower abdomen. If the woman is healthy, the discharge has a slimy consistency and does not have a strong smell. Approximately 2 weeks before menstruation, discharge may increase, the woman will feel some moisture.

Causes of vaginal discharge with odor

Discharge with the smell of sour milk gives a woman a lot of inconvenience. Moreover, personal hygiene has nothing to do with it. Here are the basic information that every woman needs to know in order to control the state of her body:

• The smell causes bacteria in the vagina and no cream for intimate hygiene can not kill or eliminate the smell. The vaginal environment is not sterile and many bacteria live there that produce lactic acid and hydrogen peroxide. This is what gives a specific smell to secretions, but also helps to kill harmful microorganisms and cleans the vagina.
• Among the harmful bacteria that can harm the vaginal environment, the most common are the bacteria Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Ureaplasma, and others. If for some reason the lactobacilli weaken, then the harmful bacteria begin to actively multiply and the woman becomes ill. It can be a variety of infections or inflammation, it all depends on which bacteria have managed to multiply faster and harm the body.
• Unpleasant smell Vaginal discharge may be a signal of a disease, because many inflammatory processes and diseases are asymptomatic. These may be adhesions in the fallopian tubes, polycystic or many others.
• If you try to mask the discharge with a sour smell with intimate deodorants, it can only aggravate the problem. They only mask the smell. Such deodorants can adversely affect the vaginal microflora.
• Yellow discharge with a sour odor. A change in color or the appearance of an unpleasant odor is a sure signal that there are "malfunctions" in the body. If within a few days after sex a woman has a yellow discharge with a sour smell, this indicates the development of the infection. A signal of an infectious disease is also indicated by discharge of a greenish-gray or even purulent color.

Sour smell as a sign of infection

Vaginal discharge is only a common symptom of many diseases and various inflammatory processes. But most often, such secretions are a signal of an infectious disease. Here are the three main causes of unpleasant odor and vaginal discharge.

The human body is the most complex, but at the same time the most perfect mechanism in nature. Its functionality is directly dependent on the state of the environment and the harmonious interaction of internal systems. Especially sensitive to external manifestations  and internal changes female body. The sexual sphere of a woman is most exposed to negative factors.

Causes of white discharge

Failure of the female reproductive system can occur for various reasons and manifest itself as white discharge with a sour odor. A moderate amount of discharge is normal for the female body and is due to the acidic environment of the vagina. But if the discharge becomes abundant, their consistency and smell change - this indicates the presence of deviations in the sexual function and is a sign of an infectious disease.

There are several reasons why white vaginal discharge with a sour odor appears. Here are some of them:

• changes in hormonal background during pregnancy;
• the presence of an inflammatory process under the action of infection;
• genital trauma;
• the appearance of a tumor;
• use of contraceptives of chemical origin;
• inactivity leading to stagnant processes in the pelvic area.

There are some non-pathological factors that influence the nature of the discharge. These include: the beginning of sexual life, change of sexual partner,. White discharge with a strong odor may indicate gynecological disease. It is necessary to conduct a diagnostic examination to identify the causes of discharge.

Symptoms of genital diseases

The functioning of the internal systems is due to the individual characteristics of the woman’s body. It often happens that the indicators that are the norm for one organism indicate the development of the disease of another. With the advent of the provoking factor, the reproductive system begins to malfunction, and specific dischargethat bother and alarm women. White secretions may indicate the occurrence of such diseases as: vulvitis, urogenital, vaginitis, cervicitis, neoplastic tumors on the cervix, bacterial vaginosis and other inflammatory diseases.

The appearance of the disease may be accompanied by the following characteristic symptoms:

• itching and genitals;
• redness of the penis;
• moisture in the genital area;
• secretions with a specific odor;
• pain and discomfort when urinating;
• pulling and aching pain  in the lower abdomen.

With the manifestation of similar symptoms, it is necessary to see a gynecologist, to pass the appropriate tests to identify the cause of the deviations. All of these symptoms may indicate a serious infectious disease, untimely treatment of which can lead to serious complications.

Treatment and prevention of secretions

Diagnosis of the disease is reduced to identifying the nature of the discharge and the accompanying symptoms. The doctor does not establish a diagnosis based solely on external symptoms. Additional data are needed: analysis of a vaginal smear, analysis of the culture method of research and mycological research. Based on the results obtained, the doctor establishes the diagnosis and prescribes treatment for each woman individually. Depending on the causes of the discharge, the doctor may prescribe antibacterial drugs (, Fluconazole, Itraconazole, Clindamycin, Metronidazole, etc.), vaginal suppositories (Isoconazole), and physiotherapy.

For the treatment of complex infectious processes, complex treatment regimens and the combination of antimicrobials are used.

To protect themselves from appearing infectious diseases  The sexual sphere needs to follow simple rules. These include:

• personal hygiene;
• wearing linen from cotton fabric;
• wearing the right size of linen, which does not allow excessive friction and squeezing;
• having sex with one partner, excluding promiscuous sex;
• use in sexual intercourse with barrier contraception;
• periodic observation by a gynecologist;
• quick response to failure of the reproductive system and seeking help from a specialist.

Do not self-medicate and hope that the disease will pass by itself. Often, several types of infections can cause a discharge with a sour odor. Only properly selected medications will help to effectively resist the infection and gradually destroy it, preventing recurrence. The urogenital system of a woman should be healthy, as it is associated with an important function - procreation.

The sharp sour smell of discharge in women is a signal of the body about problems in the sexual system of the woman.
  Discharge from the genital tract in women has always been, is and will be. This is one of the protective devices that nature has bestowed on women to keep the vagina clean. Discharges are the secret of many small glands of the vaginal wall, which accumulates in its lumen and is gradually brought out together with microorganisms that have accidentally penetrated into the vagina and the desquamated epithelium of the vaginal wall.
  This process takes place continuously, only the color and consistency change. vaginal discharge.

These changes occur under the influence of hormonal background, which changes when one phase of the cycle passes into another.

It should be mentioned that normal vaginal discharge also has a slight sour smell. The presence of the smell with a sour shade is associated with the activity of beneficial bacteria in the vagina. These bacteria are lactobacilli (Doderlein's bacillus), which are responsible for creating a weakly acidic environment in the vagina. Maintaining an acidic environment also provides protection against the introduction of pathogenic bacteria.

Unfortunately, the Doderlein wand is easily destroyed and is extremely poorly restored. She is one of the indicators that determine the degree of purity of the woman's vagina.

Degrees of purity

In total there are 4 degrees of purity of the vagina:

1 degree.  The main part of the microflora is lactobacillus, completely absent pathological bacteria. The pH of the vagina is sour. A vagina with such a degree of purity is characteristic of young healthy girls, who have just begun to live sexually. This is the standard of purity that every woman should have.
2 degree.  Like the first degree, this option is the norm. The vaginal environment is acidic, but the lactobacilli are smaller than those with degree 1. There are single leukocytes and comma variabile bacteria. In any case, you should listen to the recommendations of the gynecologist.
3 degree.  This option purity of the vagina is often found when inflammatory diseases  internal genitals of the woman. Doderleiny wand is practically absent, which determines the transition of the acidic environment of the vagina to weakly alkaline. A large number of white blood cells (leukocytes), as well as pathological bacteria and cocci are found in the smear. Most often, a woman with such a degree of purity gets an appointment with a gynecologist with complaints of discharge with an unpleasant smell, abundant, uncharacteristic for healthy secretions  colors.
4 degree. Doderleiny wand is completely absent. The vaginal environment is alkaline. In a large number of detected cocci, pathogens of sexually transmitted infections.

Characteristics of healthy secretions

1. Do not deliver discomfort.
2. Do not cause irritation, itching, burning.
3. Have a faint sour smell.
4. The color of vaginal discharge varies from white to light yellow.
5. Healthy discharge changes its consistency and volume according to the flow of the menstrual cycle.

Changes are repeated from month to month, so every woman immediately notices if the discharge becomes unusual consistency, the colors or increase in volume. At the beginning of the cycle, the excretions have a small volume, viscous, whitish. During ovulation, the consistency becomes more fluid, more viscous. In the second half of the cycle, excretions become transparent, become more liquid. Changes in secretions are very logical, as they are associated with the preparation of the body for possible fertilization.

The amount of discharge should not exceed 1 teaspoon per day. Increasing the amount can occur as a result of sexual arousal, after sexual intercourse.

When does the smell become sharp and sour?

One of the reasons unrelated to the presence of the disease in the female genital sphere is the uncleanliness of the woman. If a woman pays little attention to hygiene intimate placesand also rarely changes underwear or panty liners, in such cases, you can expect a sharp unpleasant sour smell.

If the appearance of a pronounced sour smell is associated with the development of the disease, then in the form of cheesy clots. This vaginal discharge gives the woman a lot of inconvenience, as it is accompanied by itching, burning and irritation in the area of ​​the external genital organs.

Such unhealthy vaginal discharge is characteristic of candidiasis (thrush).

Causes of thrush

1. Hormonal abnormalities in the body of a woman or long-term intake of improperly chosen oral contraceptives (contraceptives).
2. Frequent use of douches and the introduction of tampons moistened with antiseptic solutions.
3. Long-term treatment with antibacterial agents.
4. Wearing tight synthetic underwear.
5. Long-term stress can cause recurrent thrush, as long-term stressful situations significantly deplete the body's defenses, which is a favorable background for the reproduction of the fungus of the genus Candida.
6. Diseases immune system  (for example, AIDS).
7. Long-term treatment with drugs from the group of cytostatics, glucocorticosteroids. Mentioned groups medicines, with long-term use, they are able to reduce the acidity of the vaginal contents; in addition, they significantly inhibit the human immune system.
8. Pregnancy. This important period in a woman’s life can cause thrush to flourish. This is due to the fact that carrying a child not only changes the hormonal background of the woman’s body, but also significantly reduces the body’s defenses. Therefore, the appearance of the genital tract of a pregnant woman cheesy discharge  with a sour smell quite common.
9. Prolonged debilitating diseases of other body systems, for example, bronchitis, pneumonia, tuberculosis, etc.
10. Predisposing to the development of thrush a long stay in countries with a humid hot climate. The most favorable for the active breeding of the Candida genus are Egypt, Turkey, Thailand, etc.
11. Diabetes mellitus also undermines the work of the immune system, triggering the appearance of discharge with a sour odor.

Other symptoms of thrush

Not only discharge with a sour odor are a sign of the development of candidiasis (thrush). In addition to the sharp sour smell, the discharge acquires a chewy texture. Altered secretions have irritating properties, causing itching and burning in the vagina and in the region of the labia majora.
  The skin in contact with the released contents of the vagina, acquire a bright red color.
Sexual contact becomes unpleasant, since the friction of the penis on the vaginal wall only intensifies itching and burning.

The opening of the urethra is very close to the entrance to the vagina. The irritating effect of vaginal discharge extends to the area of ​​entry into urethrawhat can cause discomfort  during urination.

How to deal with this disease?

To the great chagrin of millions of women, thrush is an intractable disease, especially in self-selection remedies  in the pharmacy network.

For the treatment of thrush used antifungal drugs  (Terzhinan, Vagisil, Polizhinaks, Pimafutsin, Klion-D, Diflucan and others). Preparations are prescribed in the form of vaginal suppositories.