Curdy vaginal discharge

What is Curdy vaginal Discharge?

Curdy vaginal discharge is an abnormal type of vaginal discharge which happens due to infection by a fungus called Candida Albicans. These infections are also known as yeast or fungal infections. The discharge is typically thick, white and looks like curd or cottage cheese; hence called curdy discharge or cottage cheese like discharge.

Why does Curdy white discharge occur?

As discussed, the cause of curdy discharge is a fungal infection. Fungal infections usually occur when the natural immunity barriers of our body are down. This can happen in the following conditions:

• Poor vaginal hygiene: strongly predisposes to fungal infection
• Wet perineum: You perineal area can remain wet due to residual urine, menstrual blood, or wet undergarments. This is a very strong predisposing factor for fungal infections.
• Diseases that contribute to decreased immunity. For example hypertension, heart disease, kidney disease, cancers, chronic autoimmune disorders like systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
• Pregnancy: is a state of lowered immunity and predisposes to fungal infections
• Antibiotic use can alter the balance of normal vaginal flora, allowing fungal infection to proliferate.
• Obesity: is another predisposing factor for fungal infections as it contributes to sweat accumulation in skin and mucosal folds and makes it physically difficult to maintain hygiene.
• Hormonal changes: caused by oral contraceptive pills, pregnancy, menopause, menstruation can predispose to development of fungal infections.
• Being on steroids or immunosuppressive drugs for some chronic or autoimmune diseases.
• Patients who develop recurrent, resistant or severe fungal infections are evaluated for presence of infections that lower body immunity like uncontrolled diabetes and HIV infection.

How to recognize a fungal infection?

Fungal infection can be recognized by :

• A Curdy white or cottage cheese like discharge. The discharge is typically odorless.
• Excessive itching and irritation in and around vagina and vulva
• Redness and swelling in and around vagina and vulva
• Can be accompanied by painful urination (dysuria) or painful intercourse (dyspareunia)
• Further spread of fungal infection in inguinal skin folds can cause persistent wetness, itching, burning sensation and skin excoriation.

How is fungal infection diagnosed?

Like most other diseases, diagnosis primarily rests on history and physical examination findings by your gynaecologist. In addition, certain tests may be ordered by taking a sample of vaginal discharge and sending it for testing.

What is the treatment of curdy vaginal discharge?

Since the curdy vaginal discharge is caused by a fungal (yeast) infection, the treatment is with antifungal drugs.

• Topical antifungal ointments (Clotrimazole/miconazole ointment, or clotrimazole vaginal tablets) prescribed for local application on the affected areas, are usually sufficient in most the patients.
• Some patients with resistant, recurring or severe symptoms need oral antifungal drugs (tablet fluconazole), in addition to the topical ointment.

Prevention of fungal infection

Fungal infections are easily preventable by taking care of the following:

• First and foremost, is keeping your perineal area dry at all times. Change your undergarments twice or thrice, if you have to, in your heavy discharge days.
• Wear your undergarments only after drying your perineal area.
• During your period days, change your sanitary napkin every three to four hours. In between the napkin changes, wash your perineal area, remove all blood, dry with a napkin and apply a simple moisturizer like coconut oil and then wear a new sanitary napkin. This protocol will help you to have less allergies and fungal infections.
• After passing urine, sit for some time on the toilet seat and wait for the residual urine (about 20-30 ml) also to pass completely. Then dry your perineum by dabbing with a tissue and after that only, wear your undergarments.
• Maintain good hygiene. Bathe daily and clean yourself frequently.
• Change clothing, especially undergarments daily.
• Avoid wearing tight fitting clothes. Wear loose fitting cotton underwear and cotton clothes that allow air to pass through.
• Avoid douching and using perfumed vaginal products.
• Drink lots of water and stay well hydrated.
• Eat balanced diet with lots of fruits, salads and green vegetables to boost your immunity.
• Consumption of probiotics like lactobacilli, in form of curd or yogurt, also helps in building up of healthy vaginal flora, which increases immunity against fungal infections.
• If you have any chronic diseases like diabetes, keep them under tight control.

Carry home message

Fungal infections are a very common problem that is encountered by most females at some stage of their lifetime. They are easily recognized by the presence of typical curdy white discharge or cottage cheese discharge, accompanied by itching, irritation, redness and swelling of vagina and vulva and painful urination or intercourse. They are treated by topical or antifungals and even more easily prevented by maintain good hygiene, controlling chronic diseases, wear loose clothes and eating healthy.

Whenever you encounter symptoms suggestive of fungal infection, you should visit your gynaecologist for proper diagnosis and treatment.

There are many other types of vaginal discharge. Please read Vaginal discharge, Brownish vaginal discharge, Ovulation Discharge, Vaginal discharge in Pregnancy for more info. Stay healthy!

For more such interesting information on women's health, kindly visit our website Expert Gynae Care and our YouTube channel @drnidhigarg

To consult Dr. Nidhi Garg, please visit us at Kamal Hospital, Doaba Chowk, Jalandhar-144004 or Visit our website kamal Hospital jalandhar or Expert Gynae Care