Causes of foul-smelling vaginal discharge

Gynecological diseases in women generally include symptoms such as abnormal leucorrhea and irregular menstruation. If the above conditions occur, you can go to the hospital for examination and diagnosis. If leucorrhea has a foul odor, what gynecological disease could be causing it? It may be vaginitis, which is one of the main symptoms of vaginitis. Vaginitis is one of the common gynecological diseases. Here is an introduction to its classification and symptoms.

Vaginitis is inflammation of the vagina. The vagina of a normal healthy woman has a natural defense function against the invasion of pathogens due to the characteristics of its anatomical tissue. For example, the closure of the vaginal opening, the close contact of the anterior and posterior walls of the vagina, the proliferation of vaginal epithelial cells and the keratinization of surface cells under the influence of estrogen, and the balance of vaginal acidity and alkalinity inhibit the reproduction of alkaline-adapted pathogens. The cervical mucus is alkaline, and when the natural defense function of the vagina is destroyed, pathogens can easily invade.

1. Bacterial vaginosis

In a normal vagina, lactobacilli that produce hydrogen peroxide are dominant. Bacterial vaginosis is an endogenous mixed infection caused by a decrease in Lactobacillus and an increase in Gardnerella and anaerobic bacteria in the vagina.

2. Candidal vaginitis

(1) 80% to 90% of pathogens are Candida albicans, which grow easily in an acidic environment and are diphasic bacteria (yeast phase and hyphae phase).

(2) The patient's vaginal pH is between 4.0 and 4.7, usually <4.5.

(3) Conditionally pathogenic bacteria (yeast phase → mycelium phase).

(4) Common causes: pregnancy, diabetes, and large-scale use of immunosuppressants and broad-spectrum antibiotics.

(5) Other contributing factors: gastrointestinal Candida, wearing tight synthetic underwear, and obesity.

3. Trichomonas vaginitis

(1) Trichomonas vaginalis grows best in a humid environment with a temperature of 25℃ to 40℃ and a pH of 5.2 to 6.6.

(2) The vaginal pH changes before and after menstruation, becoming close to neutral after menstruation, making it easier for Trichomonas to reproduce.

(3) The patient's vaginal pH is generally between 5.0 and 6.5, and most are >6.0.

(4) Parasitic on the vagina, urethra or paraurethral glands, bladder, renal pelvis, male foreskin folds, urethra, and prostate.

(5) Often coexists with other vaginitis.

4. Senile vaginitis

Postmenopausal women have declining ovarian function, lower estrogen levels, vaginal wall atrophy, thinning mucosa, increased vaginal pH, reduced local resistance, and other pathogenic bacteria may over-multiply or easily invade and cause inflammation, mainly aerobic bacteria.

5. Vaginitis in young girls

It is caused by poor development of the vulva, low estrogen levels and foreign objects in the vagina of infants and young children, which trigger infection. Common pathogens include Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus aureus, etc.

The above is an analysis of the causes of foul-smelling leucorrhea, which mainly introduces the relevant circumstances of vaginitis. In addition to the foul-smelling leucorrhea, vaginitis also has symptoms such as vulvar itching. It is recommended to seek medical attention in time to avoid other complications, because some gynecological diseases in women can cause another disease. In addition, we should pay more attention to personal hygiene to prevent the occurrence of diseases from the root.