What Health Issues Could Grey Vaginal Discharge Point To?

Family Medicine, Primary Care Roots Community Health Center, Hippo Education, Kameda Medical Center

Supervised by Kenji Taylor, MD

Grey vaginal discharge can be a sign that the normal balance of bacteria in your vagina has changed, often due to an infection like bacterial vaginosis.

Explanation

Normally, the vagina makes clear or white discharge to keep itself clean. When the discharge turns grey, it can mean that the mix of tiny germs in your body has changed. This change is sometimes seen in bacterial vaginosis, a common infection where the good bacteria, called lactobacilli, drop in number and other bacteria take over. This imbalance makes the discharge look grey and may come with a mild smell or irritation. In some cases, grey discharge might also be linked to other infections or inflammation that affect the vaginal area. It is important to keep track of any other symptoms you might have, like itching, burning, or changes in odor. If you notice these changes, it is a good idea to talk to a healthcare provider. They can order simple tests to find out exactly what is happening and decide on the best treatment. Keeping an eye on your body's changes helps you stay healthy and comfortable.

(References)

Bishop GB. Vaginal Discharge. In: Walker HK, Hall WD, Hurst JW, editors. Clinical Methods: The History, Physical, and Laboratory Examinations. 3rd edition. Boston: Butterworths; 1990. Chapter 172. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK281/
Amrin SS, Lakshmi GJ. Vaginal discharge: The diagnostic enigma. Indian J Sex Transm Dis AIDS. 2021 Jan-Jun;42(1):38-45. doi: 10.4103/ijstd.IJSTD_92_18. Epub 2020 Jul 31. PMID: 34765936; PMCID: PMC8579582.
Murewanhema G, Moyo E, Mhango M, Chitungo I, Moyo P, Musuka G, Dzobo M, Dzinamarira T. Abnormal vaginal discharge among women of reproductive age in sub-Saharan Africa: the need for a paradigm shift from a syndromic approach to specific pathogen identification and directed treatment. IJID Reg. 2022 Oct 29;5:165-168. doi: 10.1016/j.ijregi.2022.10.006. PMID: 36467508; PMCID: PMC9713322.

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