Leucorrhea has a sour smell

For women, the normality of many gynecological diseases is closely related to leucorrhea. Generally speaking, leucorrhea is light white and exists in small amounts in a woman's normal life. If the leucorrhea turns brown, it is probably caused by bloody leucorrhea, which usually occurs during a woman's ovulation period. So, why do some women’s leucorrhea have a sour smell?

Causes of sour odor in vaginal discharge

Bacterial vaginitis, also known as nonspecific vaginitis, is the most common gynecological inflammation. It is a mixed infection caused by Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, anaerobic bacteria, etc. Due to vaginal flora imbalance, that is, a decrease in vaginal lactobacilli, an increase in anaerobic bacteria, and changes in vaginal acidity and alkalinity, it often occurs before and after menstruation, during pregnancy, in those who use contraceptives, antibiotics, immunosuppressants, elderly women, vaginal foreign bodies/vaginal trauma, chemical drugs, etc.

The main symptoms of bacterial vaginosis are: increased secretions, yellow purulent, sour or fishy smell, and may lead to dull abdominal pain and general fatigue as the disease progresses. During the gynecological examination, it was found that the vagina was congested and edematous, and the secretions increased. A large number of pus balls can be found through smear examination, and adding 10% potassium hydroxide to the secretions can also release an amine smell (like the smell of fertilizer).

Symptoms of sour and foul-smelling vaginal discharge

1. Curd-like leucorrhea is a characteristic of Candida vaginitis, often accompanied by severe vulvar itching or burning pain.

2. The leucorrhea with fishy odor is thin, ranging from a small amount to a large amount, and has an unpleasant smell, which is common in bacterial vaginitis.

3. Purulent leucorrhea (yellow) is yellow or yellow-green, sticky, and often has a foul odor. It is common in diseases such as acute vaginitis, cervicitis, and pelvic inflammatory disease. In addition, infection with Treponema pallidum or foreign matter residue in the vagina can also cause this symptom.

4. Bloody leucorrhea If there is blood in the leucorrhea, diseases such as cervical cancer, cervical polyps or vaginal tumors should be considered. Some benign lesions are not ruled out, such as senile vaginitis, cervical erosion, and intrauterine contraceptive device.

5. A large amount of foul-smelling rice-water-like leucorrhea continues to flow out. If it is accompanied by a strange odor, it is generally possible that it is advanced cervical cancer, vaginal cancer, submucosal fibroids with infection, or fallopian tube cancer.

6. Brown leucorrhea is watery and musty, which may be caused by vaginitis, endometritis or intrauterine contraceptive device.

7. White viscous leucorrhea, with the same characteristics as normal, but with large amount and often wetting the underwear. This kind of leucorrhea is seen after the use of estrogen or when the pelvic cavity is congested. It is caused by increased secretion of cervical glands and vaginal mucosa.

Different diseases indicated by different leucorrhea

Bacterial vaginosis

Bacterial vaginosis is the main cause of pathological leucorrhea in women, accounting for about 50% of the increase in leucorrhea caused by vaginal inflammation.

Trichomonas vaginitis

If the leucorrhea is yellow or yellow-green, thin, foamy and purulent, and is accompanied by unbearable itching of the vulva and vagina, the possibility of Trichomonas vaginitis is very high.

Fungal vaginitis

Once the not-so-excessive leucorrhea appears in the form of a thick white paste or curd, and a white film can be found at the outer opening of the vagina, and a rough red eroded surface can be seen after wiping off the white film, then you need to be careful about candidal vaginitis.

Tumorous leucorrhea is red leucorrhea with blood streaks and a foul odor, often caused by a malignant tumor of the uterus. Such as the common cervical cancer.

Precautions for sour leucorrhea

1. Go to the gynecology department for examination and treatment in time. If you do have vaginitis, you need anti-inflammatory treatment. You cannot have sex during the treatment. It is best to pay attention to local hygiene at other times.

2. Keep the vulva clean and dry in daily life. Avoid scratching, wash with hot water and use soap. Use potassium permanganate solution for sitting bath when infected. The underwear should be breathable and loose. Avoid alcohol and spicy or allergic food.

3. Do not take medicine blindly. You must go to the hospital for a formal examination first to find out the cause and what bacterial infection is causing it. Then targeted medication can be used for better treatment.