Vaginal discharge is a normal female secretion that helps to keep the vaginal function healthy. In general, women’s vaginal discharge changes according to their physiological cycle, with an increase in vaginal discharge and a transparent egg white state in ovulation period (the 14th day in a menstruate cycle, two weeks before menstruation occurs) , which is a normal physiological phenomenon; on the other hand, if an increase in vaginal discharge, or even changes in the colour, smell, and characteristics of the discharge occur outside of the menstrual period, and is accompanied by vaginal itching, lower abdomen or waist pain, increased frequency of urination, urinary pain, and so on, this could be a sign of vaginitis. 
Patient: Ms. Teoh
March 14, 2022, First visit.
Chief complaint: Lower abdominal pain for 4 months, worsening for a week
Miss Teoh, 24, came to see me on this day because she had been experiencing pain in her lower abdomen for 4 months, which had become worse in the previous week. She stated that four months ago, she discovered that her left lower abdomen had a prickling pain accompanied by a heavy sensation, that her menstrual cycle was irregular and is easily awakened at night. After reviewing her medical history, I performed an abdominal examination for her and discovered a significant prickling pain in her lower abdomen. I also inquired about her last menstrual period, which occurred at the beginning of this month, and there were no other symptoms other than irregular menstruation and dysmenorrhea. But it has only been more than a week since the end of menstruation, and she has had no more bleeding during this time. I asked her if there are any other missing symptoms, such as abnormal vaginal discharge, and she only explained that she has secreted greenish yellow vaginal discharge with tofu-like properties for more than a year,and occasionally there will be vaginal itching, but these symptoms are more noticeable after eating seafood, so she doesn’t pay attention.
After listening to her history, I informed her that the prickling pain in her lower abdomen could be caused by vaginitis. She tensed up and asked herself why she had vaginitis. I inquired about her sexual history, whether she had a partner, and whether there had been any recent instances of intercourse. She agreed with both and I asked her to recall a year ago when this abnormality first appeared, whether it was after having intercourse with her boyfriend, she pondered for a moment before nodding, coming to the realization the cause of her vaginitis.
I asked to examine her tongue, which was reddish purple with a yellow greasy coating, slightly fat, and varicose veins under the tongue. Her pulses are both slippery, with the left central pulse (guan position) showing a rapid pulse. Her medical history was summarised as a dampness and heat presentation that affected the flow of qi and blood, as well as blood and qi stagnancy in her body. The symptoms are qi stagnation and blood stasis, and the root cause is dampness and heat.
I gave her about 4 days of scientific Chinese herbal medicine to take twice a day, told her to avoid eating fried and spicy food, to take care of her personal hygiene, and, most importantly, not to have intimate relations with her boyfriend during treatment, and to return to the clinic the following week after taking the medicine.
【Follow-up consultation: second consultation】
April 5th, 2022. Second visit.
Miss Teoh returned to the clinic after two weeks, and she took the initiative to tell me that the prickling pain and heavy sensation in her lower abdomen had improved, and she had not recently had an intimate relationship with her boyfriend. She had started some simple exercise, and the greenish yellow vaginal discharge had turned white in the last two weeks, but the amount of discharge has increased and it is still viscous. So, I took another look at her tongue, which was still reddish purple with a white and greasy coating, and her varicose veins under the tongue were still visible. Her pulse is still slippery, indicating that there is still dampness and heat in her body, so I prescribe scientific Chinese herbal medicine for another three days, along with acupuncture treatment.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT YOUR VAGINAL DISCHARGE?
VAGINAL DISCHARGE IS A NORMAL FEMALE SECRETION THAT HELPS TO KEEP THE VAGINAL FUNCTION HEALTHY
- NORMAL PHENOMENON: Changes According To Their Physiological Cycle, With An Increase In A Transparent Egg White State Vaginal Discharge In Ovulation Period (The 14th Day In A Menstruate Cycle, Two Weeks Before Menstruation Occurs)
- ABNORMAL PHENOMENON：An Increase In Vaginal Discharge, Or Even Changes In The Colour, Smell, And Characteristics Of The Discharge Occur Outside Of The Menstrual Period, Accompanied By Vaginal Itching,
Lower Abdomen Or Waist Pain, Increased Frequency Of Urination, Urinary Pain Could Be A Sign Of Vaginitis.
【Follow-up consultation: third consultation】
April 14th 2022, third consultation.
Miss Teoh returned to the clinic a week later, this time because her menstruation was different from the previous month. I inquired about her vaginal discharge, and she stated that it is no longer viscous. Her tongue colour has also improved, displaying a red tongue with a thin white tongue coating, and the veins under her tongue are not visible. Her pulse was no longer slippery after I took it; instead, it was moderate and relaxed. I warned her that, while her vaginal discharge had improved, she still needed to maintain personal hygiene, refrain from having sexual contact with her boyfriend for the time being, and continue with her exercise, and she agreed to each one by one.
She called to inform that her condition had improved after she finished her herbal medicine and that there was no abnormality in her vaginal discharge, so she cancelled the appointment for a follow-up consultation.
【Common causes of vaginitis】
1. Ignoring genital hygiene during menstruation, and not changing sanitary pads or inner clothing for extended periods of time
2. Improper use of vaginal cleansing solution or direct vaginal irrigation
3.Unhygienic sexual relationship with partner
4.Consuming an excessive amount of fried or spicy foods
【Methods for preventing vagini】
- Maintain personal hygiene by frequently changing and washing intimate clothing (underwear) and wearing tights as little as possible.
- Keep the vulva clean without rinsing it directly.
- Enhance physical activity and improve body constitution
- Eat evenly and do not favour foods of any flavour.
【Afterword】
Clinically, abnormal vaginal discharge is very common in women, and occasionally abnormal vaginal discharge can improve by modifying diet and lifestyle habits. If abnormal vaginal discharge persists, seek medical intervention as soon as possible to avoid delaying the condition and affecting healing time.
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