Vaginal Discharge During and After Menopause

When approaching menopause, many changes occur inside a woman´s body. Hormonal changes can affect the body in many different ways, often leading to vaginal discharge during and after menopause. These changes can be frightening and discomforting, but many women experience vaginal discharge.

Keep reading to find out more about the types of vaginal discharge during and after menopause.

Causes of vaginal discharge

vaginal-discharge-during-after-menopause1 Vaginal discharge is common and can occur for a number of reasons. Glands inside your vagina and cervix make small quantities of fluid that are discharged every day. This is normal and experienced by every woman, and it keeps your body healthy. During times of ovulation, sexual excitement or breasting feeding, the liquid can have a stronger white color and be thicker.

The vagina always carries a bacterium, and this bacterium can be affected by the hormones and acids that control the menstrual cycle. Infections happen when the bacteria cannot be controlled any longer. This infection can happen at anytime due to stress, exercise, a change in diet and in menopause, and in pregnancy.

When approaching menopause vaginal discharge can appear because your body’s hormone levels are changing. A woman can experience irregular vaginal discharge and shortened periods.

The most common types of vaginal discharge infections are:

• Yeast (Candida), a type of fungi that is normal in human skin but can also cause infections.
• Gardnerella, a type of bacteria found normally in the female genital tract.
• Trichomonas, a type of protozoa, an organism made up of one cell.
• Sexually transmitted diseases.

Vaginal discharge and menopause?

During menopause vaginal discharge can drastically change, and many women find they experience dryness, which can affect sexual life or vaginal discharge even when they are not menstruating.

Vaginal discharge can also happen after menopause due to the drop in hormone levels. It could be that the vaginal wall is decreasing in size.

Treatment for Vaginal discharge

Reducing natural levels of vaginal discharge is very difficult because it is not caused by an infection, but there are certain activities you can do that might help.

Ways to prevent vaginal discharge

vaginal-discharge-during-after-menopause2 • Bathe or shower daily and pat your genital area dry.
• Avoid hot tubs.
• Don’t douche.
• Change your laundry detergent or fabric softener if you think it may be irritating your genital area.
• The latex in condoms and diaphragms and the sperm-killing gels that are used for birth control can be irritating for some women. If you think one of these things is a problem for you, talk to your doctor about other types of birth control.
• Wear cotton underpants during the day. Cotton allows your genital area to “breathe.”
• After using the toilet, always wipe from front to back. This may help prevent spreading bacteria from your rectal area into your vagina.

Avoid

• Don’t wear underpants at night.
• Avoid wearing tight pants, pantyhose, swimming suits, biking shorts or leotards for long periods.
• Avoid feminine hygiene sprays, colored or perfumed toilet paper, deodorant pads or tampons, and bubble bath.

Besides the activities on the list above, there are also some lifestyle changes you can make to get your body back on the right track. Eating a healthy diet and exercising daily will help your body produce chemicals and hormones at a natural level.

Also on the market there are alternative medicines available for vaginal discharge. They can help to ease pain and provide comfort when other avenues have expired.

If you experience pain or have noticed a dense or abnormal discharge, it is always good to see a medical professional. You know your body best; trust yourself.