You are disturbed with strange green vaginal discharge? You don’t know why you have green vaginal discharge? You are stressed because of green vaginal discharge? Why you would have green vaginal discharge?
You need to know that normal vaginal discharge is usually clear or milky white, it does not have unpleasant smell. Vaginal discharge mainly influenced by hormonal changes in women body but vaginal infections can dramatically change color, texture and smell of the vaginal discharge. In most cases vaginal infections may be accompanied by other symptoms, such as itching, burning, discomfort or spotting.
Green vaginal discharge causes
Green vaginal discharge main causes include the following:
- Trichomoniasis (sexually transmitted disease caused by the protozoan parasite Trichomonas vaginalis)
- Chlamydia (sexually transmitted disease caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis)
- Gonorrhea (sexually transmitted disease caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae)
- Bacterial vaginosis (imbalance of bacteria in the vagina, often involving overgrowth of the bacterium Gardnerella vaginalis)
- Foreign body in the vagina
- Lichen Sclerosus
Green vaginal discharge
Green Vaginal Discharge during Trichomoniasis
Trichomoniasis is a common sexually transmitted disease (STD) that affects young, sexually active women. Trichomoniasis is caused by the single-celled protozoan parasite, Trichomonas vaginalis. An estimated 7.4 million new cases occur each year in women and men. About 20% of women develop trichomoniasis of the vagina (trichomonas vaginitis) during their reproductive years.
In women Trichomoniasis usually starts with a greenish yellow, frothy, fishy-smelling vaginal discharge. Strong vaginal odor is pretty typical for trichomoniasis.
Vaginal discharge can be combined with irritation and soreness in the genital area.
In some women, the discharge is slight.
The vulva may be irritated, itchy and sore. In severe cases, the vulva and surrounding skin may be inflamed, and the labia swollen.
The infection also may cause discomfort and/or pain during intercourse as well as irritation and itching of the female genital area.
Urination may be painful or frequent, as occurs in a bladder infection (UTI). Urinary and vaginal symptoms may occur alone or together.
Women may also suffer from “strawberry cervix,” in which lesions form on the cervix and vaginal walls, giving the appearance of redness.
In rare cases, lower abdominal pain can occur.
About 10% of women with trichomoniasis can experience lower abdominal pain
Many women with trichomoniasis also have gonorrhea, Chlamydia or other STDs.
Green Vaginal Discharge during Chlamydia
Chlamydia is a common sexually transmitted disease (STDs) caused by the bacterium, Chlamydia trachomatis, which can damage a woman’s reproductive organs. Even though symptoms of Chlamydia are usually mild or absent – serious complications that cause irreversible damage, including infertility, can occur “silently” before a woman ever recognizes a problem.
Chlamydia is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases. The Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that more than 3 million cases of Chlamydia occur every year. CDC estimates that a staggering four to eight million new cases occur each year. As the infection frequently causes no symptoms, the number of infected people could be 4 times higher.
The highest rates of Chlamydia are noted among youth – 15-19 year olds.
Chlamydia symptoms include:
- abnormal vaginal discharge (mucus or pus),
- smelling greenish-yellowish discharge from the cervix,
- frequent urges to urinate (much more than usual),
- burning sensation or pain during urination,
- abdominal and/or low back pain,
- nausea,
- fever (often low-grade fever),
- pain during intercourse,
- vaginal bleeding between periods,
- vaginal bleeding after sex,
- eye infections (conjunctivitis).
Green Vaginal Discharge during Gonorrhea
Gonorrhea is a very common sexually transmitted disease (STD). Gonorrhea is caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae, a bacterium that can grow and multiply easily in the warm, moist areas of the reproductive tract, including the cervix, uterus, fallopian tubes and in the urethra (urine canal). The bacterium can also grow in the mouth, throat, eyes, and anus.
Gonorrhea is one of the oldest known sexually transmitted diseases. It is estimated that over one million women are currently infected with gonorrhea. Among women who are infected, 25%-40% also will be infected with Chlamydia, another type of bacteria that causes another STDs. The CDC recommends that all women diagnosed with gonorrhea also receive treatment for Chlamydia.
In women the cervix is primarily affected by gonorrhea. However, untreated gonorrhea can spread to the uterus and fallopian tubes. Unfortunately, the symptoms of gonorrhea in women often go unnoticed. Over 50% of infected women have no symptoms, especially in the early stages of the infection. When women do experience symptoms, they may include:
- abnormal bleeding,
- frequent urination
- pain or burning sensation during urination,
- increased greenish-yellowish vaginal discharge,
- general irritation of the outer area of the vagina (redness and swelling of the genitals),
- burning or itching of the vaginal area,
- vaginal bleeding between periods.
When women experience gonorrhea infection in the throat or rectum, symptoms such as pain, swelling, itching, soreness, and discharge often occur.
Green Vaginal Discharge during Bacterial vaginosis
If your vulva smells fishy, it is almost certain that you have bacterial vaginosis (also known as “anaerobic vaginosis”). This is an imbalance in the bacteria in the vagina. All women have harmless bacteria in their vaginal passage. In bacterial vaginosis, some of the bacteria multiply so that more are present than is normal (it is usually the Gardnerella and Mobiluncus bacteria that are the culprits). In other words, bacterial vaginosis is not an infection caught from your partner; it is due to bacteria that are normally present in the vagina.
The main symptom is a fishy smell in the genital area. You may notice that the smell is worse after sex and during your period.
There is usually a discharge, which is watery and greyish-white in color. The amount of vaginal discharge that is considered normal varies from woman to woman. Therefore, any degree of vaginal discharge that is abnormal for a particular woman should be evaluated. The discharge is often more noticeable after sexual intercourse.
Bacterial vaginosis does not cause soreness or irritation.
Many women with bacterial vaginosis actually could have no symptoms at all. If untreated, bacterial vaginosis may possibly increase the risk of pelvic inflammatory disease (infection of the Fallopian tubes that lead from the ovaries to the uterus).
Green Vaginal Discharge during Foreign body in the vagina
Adolescent women may use tampons once their menses begin. Occasionally, these tampons are forgotten and may not be removed for days. The breakage of a condom may also result in bits of latex or non-latex material being left in the vaginal vault.
Adults may place foreign objects into the vagina as part of a sexual experience. Less commonly unusual objects may be placed in the vagina as the result of abuse. Adults may also experience forgotten tampons or bits of a condom.
Common symptoms of a vaginal foreign body include the following:
- Vaginal discharge, generally foul-smelling, green or yellow, pink or brown;
- Vaginal bleeding, especially light bleeding;
- Vaginal itching or foul odor;
- Urinary symptoms such as discomfort with urination;
- Vulvar discomfort due to vaginal discharge producing skin irritation;
- Abdominal or pelvic pain from placement of large objects or perforation of a foreign body into the peritoneal cavity.
Symptoms accompanying the presence of a foreign body include the following:
- Skin redness (erythema);
- Swelling of the vagina and introitus (entrance to vagina);
- Rash in the vaginal area.
Green Vaginal Discharge during Lichen Sclerosus
Greenish vaginal discharge may also be a symptom of a skin disorder known as Lichen Sclerosus, this is characterized by skin changes that occurs on the vulva. During the early stage of lichen sclerosus, appearance of small white patches on the skin may be noted. Later on these spots grow and the skin on the patches changes its texture, it becomes wrinkled and thin, as a result, the skin tears easily, bright red or purple bruises are quite common. There are cases when scarring may occur. In mild cases, however, symptoms may not be present. Women with lichen sclerosus may also complain of vaginal itching and pain.
