Is bleaching a dangerous disease?

“White Discharge is one of the most important problems faced by women. It can be said that it is often overlooked by women. Whitening is a normal symptom of women due to hormonal changes during puberty, menstrual cycle, pregnancy, menopause etc. However, sometimes there can be a manifestation of the disease, so we need a clear understanding of it,” says Vaishnavi, an obstetrician and gynaecologist. 

What is whitening?White discharge from the female genitalia – watery or mucus-like – is called vaginal discharge. Most of the women are worried about their whitening. Many doctors are also consulted for this. But we have to understand that sometimes the discharge can be a normal phenomenon like menstruation. 

What causes it?Women usually menstruate every 28 to 45 days. Bleeding lasts from 2 to 7 days. This whiteness occurs in the middle of the menstrual cycle, i.e. 14 days before menstruation. This is called Ovulatory period. These are the days when the ovum comes out from the ovary and reaches the uterus. It is a natural phenomenon. The chances of conception are very high if you have intercourse during these days, which are referred to as the fertile period. Also, 2 to 3 days before menstruation, changes in hormones cause white discharge. We must understand that these events can happen every month. Pregnant women experience white discharge from time to time. Baby will be white for 2 to 4 weeks after birth. It does not require any treatment.

When is treatment needed? We need to know some important medical reasons for whitening.1. Cervical chance 2. Cervical infection3. Cancer of the cervix 4. Infection of the cervix and cervical organs5. Cancer of Genitalia- These five causes of vaginal discharge require treatment if confirmed! 

Are there side effects of whitening? The cause should be identified at an early stage and proper treatment should be taken by the doctor. Otherwise, the disease may cause constant abdominal pain, leg pain, hip pain, back pain. There is a possibility of problems like infertility, difficulty in conjugal relations, cancer, spread to other parts of the body due to infection.

 What should women look out for?Whitening is normal for women of all ages due to natural causes. But many of us do not have the awareness of when to consult a doctor. What we need to note in this is…1. 2. Intermittent bleaching 3. Bad smelling bleaching4. When turning white – If painful 5. When occurring in colors other than white (green, red) 6. If itches while whitening7. When it turns white after menopause (menopause) 8. It is very important to consult a doctor at the time when the baby is white with bad smell and pain after birth! 

Are there any dangers in bleaching?If you feel abnormally white, you should consult a doctor to find out the cause. If there is any disease, we should detect it in the early stage and get proper treatment for it. By doing so there are chances of recovery without any major risk. 

How to prevent it?Whitening due to natural causes does not require any treatment. Cervical cancer or infection is a major cause of vaginal discharge so we need to know about it as well. Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among Indian women. Discharge with bad smell, bleeding after intercourse are the main symptoms of cervical cancer. Nowadays, vaccines are available to prevent cervical cancer. It is given as two injections in girls aged 9-14 years. It is not the case that women past this age should not be vaccinated. Women of all ages can wear it. However, the number of injections varies. It is given as three injections for women over 15 years of age and under 26 years of age. Research has found that vaccination at age 11-12 offers the greatest protection against cervical cancer in girls. This should also be noted.

What are the tests for this? Cervical examination called Pap smear can help detect cervical cancer in its early stages. ACOG – The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has set some guidelines. Accordingly, women over the age of 21 should have a pap smear every 3 years. By doing this, there are chances of early detection of cancer, early treatment and full recovery. 

What are the treatments? For vaginal discharge due to infection, both women and their husbands should take the pills as per medical advice. Cancer should be detected and treated at an early stage. 

Are there any home remedies?There are no home remedies to mention. But, there are some suggestions. Wear clean underwear. It is important to keep our genitals and the area around them clean. Some women keep the tampon on for a long time during their period. They may also experience bleaching due to washing their genitals with chemicals and perfume sprays. Just wash it off with clean water. Also, it’s a good idea to tell your doctor about all the problems you have!