identify this discharge

August 11, 2008 2:06 PM

Okay, what is this? Bacterial vaginosis? yeast? Details, icky stuff, etc etc.. inside and, yes, I'm going to the doc...

I have never had BV (bacterial vaginosis) that I'm aware of and this just doesn't match the yeast infections I've gotten when taking antibiotics...

I'm a nursing mother of a 1 yr old- not sure if hormonal changes could be part of the explanation.

Symptoms:

no pain
no itching
large amount of bright white, sticky, gooey discharge. does not have the particulate-ness of yeast infections I've had
faint odor (possibly unpleasant but possibly not abnormal? Let's just say different from what I'm used to- slightly sweet/ musky-ish) Not fishy or rotten smelling.

so, what is this?

one more thing: if you have ever used hydrogen peroxide, which is now being recognized by researchers as an effective remedy for bv, HOW did you use it? How much? Did you douche with it?

posted by anonymous to health & fitness (8 comments total)

one more thing: if you have ever used hydrogen peroxide, which is now being recognized by researchers as an effective remedy for bv, HOW did you use it? How much? Did you douche with it?

The only part of your question I can answer at all is that you soak a tampon in the peroxide and insert - don't know how often/how long to leave it in.
posted by tristeza at 2:50 PM on August 11, 2008

This may be TMI, but that sounds a bit like my normal, umm, ovulation discharge - white and very gooey. The 'net seems to indicate that vaginal discharge thickens during ovulation and breastfeeding.
posted by muddgirl at 2:57 PM on August 11, 2008

Why ask us when you can ask a litmus strip? Go drop $15 on a vaginal pH test. You get two tests in the box, and according to the instructions, it should indicate whether you have a bacterial infection. Note that normal vaginal pH is 3.8 to 4.5.

I would test, and if your pH is normal, wait two days and re-test. If you're not itching or burning, I would personally just chalk it up to hormonal swings or something your immune system is managing, and wait it out. I don't think douching is a good idea unless you have a reasonably certain idea what you're doing trying to treat.

As to how, I've used apple cider vinegar to treat yeast in the past, and used a bottle style douche in the tub, and just hold it up high, letting it run inside and then flow out. It worked, incidentally.
posted by Ambrosia Voyeur at 3:23 PM on August 11, 2008

Probably hormonal. Normal for me while ovulating. TMI, right?

Better start using birth control if you're not TTC.
posted by sondrialiac at 4:00 PM on August 11, 2008

My bet is on normal too. Sounds like the craziness that starts happening with hormone flutuation during BF'ng. At one year, baby is eating more other foods and your body is adjusting. Get the test and check with your Dr but I'd bet you are fine.
posted by pearlybob at 4:07 PM on August 11, 2008

I'm voting for normal as well. I've had this from time to time - perhaps you're dehydrated and your usual mucus is thicker?
posted by The Light Fantastic at 6:17 PM on August 11, 2008

Another vote for normal and hormonal, especially since you're not having any other symptoms and are having the hormonal to-do of nursing. My discharge changes radically throughout my cycle (in color, texture, and smell) and is sometimes bright white, sticky, and gooey. Keep an eye on it to see if anything changes get tested if it will ease your mind.
posted by mostlymartha at 8:11 PM on August 11, 2008

Sounds to me like it might be BV. Generally the stuff that accompanies ovulation isn't white, it's clear, a lot like (uncooked) egg white.

A 5 minute appointment with your OB or at your friendly neighborhood Planned Parenthood (sliding scale!) would probably answer your question. BV is diagnosed by looking at a smear on a slide. Very quick, and they can answer your questions about hydrogen peroxide a lot more authoritatively than some random people online.
posted by Sublimity at 9:55 PM on August 11, 2008