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I have a yellow vaginal discharge and have had it since ...

Sent to Health Experts April 11 2006 at 7:37 PM
   

I have a yellow vaginal discharge and have had it since pregnancy. I have told my obgyn about it and she tested me for infections, e coli infection, did a pap smear, etc. She says that everything is negative and that the yellow discharge may go away after I stop nursing my baby.

This is my second baby. After my first baby, I didn't have this yellow discharge. It doesn't smell very bad, but does have a little odor. Usually, I can wear just 1-2 pads a day, so there's not a lot of discharge, but just enough to bother me. My obgyn said that I had cervicitis, or inflammation of my cervix, but she said it is "normal" and that could be why I have a discharge, but yet she said there is nothing to do about cervicitis.??? I think I had intercourse the day before I went in for the pap, so that might have been why she saw an inflammed cervix. Anyway, my question is about this yellow discharge. What else could it be related to? I didn't have it until my pregnancy started. Then it never went away. I was tested for infections and everything was negative. So after I had the baby, it's been 4.5 months after the delivery and I STILL have the discharge. I'm tired of wearing a pad and don't want to believe that this is just "normal." Something has to be wrong and my doctor just can't figure it out possibly.

I do have a lower back pain that is a milder form of what I felt during the delivery of my son. It was 100x worse during the delivery!!! I kept telling everyone that my back was in horrible pain, but they said it was "normal." So after the delivery, I still get throbbing pains in the lowest part of my back...the reason I'm mentioning this is because I also told my obgyn and she didn't think it had anything to do with the discharge and so I'm wondering if the lower back pain has something to do with it.

If you can help me, I'd appreciate it. I don't feel like everything is normal. I know my body and I just can't accept that just because I had 2 babies, now my body is different and I'm going to have a yellow discharge forever.

 

Optional Information:
Female , Age: 25

Already Tried:
had a pap during and after pregnancy, was tested for infections and all were negative

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April 11 2006 at 7:40 PM (3 minutes and 12 seconds later)
         
REPLIEDCheck Mark

Hello

I would ask for a culture to be done (again if it's been done before) to see what germs grow out of the drainage. Most likely it isn't yeast, or you would have soreness, and itching as well. It could be a change in your hormones, but I'd rule out infection again.

Kerry



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April 11 2006 at 7:48 PM (8 minutes and 1 second later)
         
Reply to Kerry's Post: I have already done that twice, so I know that it is not an infection.

Yes, I have heard that it could be a change in my hormones, but I didn't experience this with my first child, so why would I have it now?

I don't have any itching. Just the yellowish drainage with a slight odor--kind of acidic. I even treated it like a yeast infection before I event went back to my doctor to get a culture done and the discharge still remains.

What about endometriosis? is that possible? or could I have a fistula? I'm not too worried about it right now, but I just don't want to leave it alone and then find out it was something bad and it could have been treated.

Thanks!

JoAn
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April 11 2006 at 7:54 PM (5 minutes and 40 seconds later)
         
Reply to Kerry's Post: Also, when they did the cultures, they didn't get the discharge off of my pad...is this what they should've done. They just put a big q-tip looking thing in my vagina and swiped inside, I think. Is there a difference between them doing it internally vs. getting the drainage from my pad?

JoAn
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April 11 2006 at 7:55 PM (1 minute later)
         
REPLIEDCheck Mark

Hello

Click here for a good article.

You want a slightly acidic environment in your vagina. This helps keep infections at bay.

There is a condition called "cytolytic vaginitis" caused by an overabundance of the "good" bacteria, lactobacillus. In this condition, there is often a clumpy white discharge and sometimes burning. Vaginal pH is too acidic. Treatment consists of alkalinizing the vagina via a baking-soda-and-water douche. Because douching can alter the vaginal environment and lead to infections, douching should never be done on a regular basis. Your doctor should test your vaginal pH first, to see if this is a possibility.

However, not all discharge is infection. Some discharges are normal. Discharge can change in relationship to where one is in one's menstrual cycle. Some women just have more discharge than others. You have had what appears to be a very thorough work-up. If all infections, alterations of vaginal pH and chemical sensitivities (i.e., to soaps, tampons, condoms or even sperm) are ruled out, then this discharge, while unpleasant, must be normal for you. Wearing a panty liner and changing it often may be the best way for you to deal with this discharge. source

Hope that helps!

Kerry



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April 11 2006 at 8:14 PM (19 minutes and 21 seconds later)
         
Reply to Kerry's Post: So you think that I could have too much of the good bacteria? Hmmm, so can I test the acidity myself without having to go back to the doctor?

My doctor never mentioned this to me. I even told her that it smelled kinda like ammonia, which is acidic, right? But not as strong as ammonia.

Can I take a natural supplement from the health store that would eliminate the excessive good bacteria? or is douching the quickest method.

I really want to try this because I would be so happy to not have to worry about being intimate with my husband--he's not allowed to go below my waist because I'm so self-conscious... plus it's a constant nuisance to have to wear pads everyday.

However, if the ph is not too acidic and I do this douche anyway, what is the worst that could happen?
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April 11 2006 at 8:14 PM (8 seconds later)
         
REPLIEDCheck Mark

Nope, no difference between getting a culture from your pad or inside your vagina. In fact, the vaginal swab might be more accurate as there has been no time for bacteria to grow.

Kerry



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April 11 2006 at 8:19 PM (4 minutes and 43 seconds later)
         
Reply to Kerry's Post: Also, what are the possibilites of it being puss draining from something inside my vagina? Wouldn't/Shouldn't my doctor have seen a cyst or something inside when she did a pap?
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April 11 2006 at 8:25 PM (6 minutes and 1 second later)
         
Reply to Kerry's Post: i saw a home testing kit for ph...do you know if i can buy this at a local drug store?

i'll check back in the morning, going to bed. Thanks!
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April 11 2006 at 8:26 PM (28 seconds later)
         
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April 11 2006 at 8:37 PM (11 minutes and 19 seconds later)
         
REPLIEDCheck Mark

Okay, but I will be at my other job until evening. So hang tight, I'll check in when I get back.

If this was helpful, clicking the accept button will help my ratings!

Kerry



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April 12 2006 at 4:04 AM (7 hours and 26 minutes and 59 seconds later)
         
Reply to Kerry's Post: What are your thoughts about it being a hormonal change?

Do you know why (if it is hormonal) that I am having the discharge now, but didn't have it with my first child?

Also, what can I do if it is hormonal, granted every other test is fine, like the ph test.

By the way, what is considered to be a normal ph for the vagina?

Thank you for your help!

JoAn
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April 12 2006 at 4:43 PM (12 hours and 39 minutes and 10 seconds later)
         
REPLIEDCheck Mark

Normal pH for the vagina should be slightly acidic. It could be a hormonal change. Sometimes after the second or third child it takes a bit longer to bounce back to normal. If you are still breast feeding, that can effect it. If it is hormonal, you can find out via blood tests, and your doctor may prescribe the pill or something similar for replacement to help get you back on track.

Kerry



Kerry, RN
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April 13 2006 at 5:08 AM (12 hours and 25 minutes and 21 seconds later)
         
Relist: I still need help.
would like a few other comments regarding my questions I asked earlier.
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April 13 2006 at 5:12 AM (3 minutes and 20 seconds later)
         
Reply to Kerry's Post: Kerry,

I am breastfeeding and I'm on the birth control pill called ortho mircronor.

So after I stop breastfeeding (if it's a hormonal change) then I probably will go back to normal?

I will see if I can find a ph testing kit today and will let you know the results. Thank you so much for your help.

Most of what you have said is what my doctor told me, so it just gives me confirmation of it.

Would she have tested my ph during my office visits throughout pregnancy or before a pap or something? I'm wondering if I should call her to ask what it was since I've had this drainage since I was pregnant.

Thank you again!
JoAn
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April 17 2006 at 6:07 AM (4 days later)
         
Relist: I still need help.
I can't find the PH kits.
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April 17 2006 at 8:31 PM (14 hours and 24 minutes and 4 seconds later)
         
REPLIEDCheck Mark

Your doctor may or may not have tested your pH before. It's worth a call to find out. As far as finding pH test kits, call around to different pharmacies and ask them. Usually they are sold to test the urine, so ask about those as well.

Yes, if you are still breast feeding, you have different hormones being released and this might stop after breast feeding stops. The pill is probably a contributing factor as well.

Kerry



Kerry, RN
Please click the accept button if this has helped you. A bonus is always appreciated as well.
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April 18 2006 at 4:15 AM (7 hours and 44 minutes and 15 seconds later)
         
Reply to Kerry's Post: thank you for all your help! I will be glad to accept your answer right now!
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