Our vagina is a complex system much like our body. It has its environment and systems giving it the best possible space to live and grow. But what happens when the peace is disrupted? As women, we know how vaginas and anything around “lady parts” are to be kept under the rug.
Nobody talks about it so we don’t even recognize it is a problem in the first place. This article is bound to help you with some of the issues women face like a change in the consistency of vaginal discharge.
It is not uncommon for the vagina to discharge mucus but what if it is a large clump? What does it suggest and how can we treat it?
Clear Vaginal Discharge: Know The Causes
Vaginal discharge is nothing to be scared of. It is natural for the cervix and vaginal walls to produce discharge. Vaginal discharge has multiple benefits and always varies according to your age, or hormonal levels. Its primary function is to help moisturize the vaginal cavity and its surrounding areas.
Additionally, to fight the bacteria that might affect it, the area must maintain its pH balance. So as we said, it isn’t abnormal for vaginal discharge to change its color or odor but what if it comes out in clumps? Once or twice might be normal but the regularity might say something. According to researchers, there could be some simple reasons why the discharge could be jelly-like.
Firstly, if a woman is ovulating it could make a change in the discharge. Secondly, a menstrual cycle could also mess up the vaginal discharge patterns. Lastly, your hormones could play a lot of games with your vagina and its mucus. But more often than out, the answers are not this simple and it could have some dire consequences.
What are the causes and treatments for a large clump of clear jelly discharge?
Some of the serious causes of large clumps of clear jelly discharge could be:
1. Bacterial Vaginosis(BV)
Our vagina is made of a variety of bacteria. A lot of them are good and help the vagina maintain its pH balance. But sometimes due to sexual activity, the growth of Gardnerlla Vaginalis bacteria could even give the discharge a fishy odor.
Moreover, it can be thick with some whitish particles at the end. So how to treat it? Usually, you are prescribed antibiotics like Metronidazole or Clindamycin.
2. Yeast infection
The vagina is wet and usually stays that way but that also means it becomes a hotspot for fungi like Candida which causes candidiasis. Apart from the discharge, it can also cause itching and reddening of the area surrounding it. Fluconazole is a topical cream that is prescribed and is used to treat the condition.
3. Sexually Transmitted Infections(STIs)
The obvious cause is always the practice of unsafe sex can lead to the development of bacteria, fungi, and viruses Your discharge could not only look like a clump the color might change into green and yellow as the variant might differ as well.
Coming to the treatment protocol, every STI might have a different medication but generally, they are tested with swabs and treated with anti-virals and anti-bacterial creams or anti-fungal in some cases.
4. Trichomoniasis
The spelling might seem complicated but what it is, is the invasion of the Trichomonas parasite. You could so expect pain when having sex and urinating as well. It is treated with prescription medications like Tinidazole.
5. Cervicitis
As its name suggests, this is the sudden swelling of the Cervix due to using chemicals like Vaginal perfumes. It is never caused in isolation and is always accompanied by an underlying condition that needs to be treated.
6. Pelvic Inflammatory disease
When STIs like Gonorrhea and Chlymadia are left untreated, it leads to the inflammation of the pelvis. It is irritating and can cause itching. There might be a foul smell as well which could be the tell-tale sign.
Moreover, the only way to treat it effectively includes treating the underlying condition with an appropriate set of medications or sometimes topical creams.
7. Hormonal imbalances
A person with PCOS can have problems regulating the hormones in the body. Individuals who have an irregular cycle of menstruation can also develop these conditions and should be helped with medications.
Self-care And Prevention Strategies
Here are some tips for treating clear vaginal discharge:
- Wear breathable cotton underwear and avoid tight-fitting pants or pantyhose. This can help prevent excessive moisture buildup.
- Practice good hygiene by wiping front to back after using the bathroom and avoiding potential irritants like douches, perfumed soaps, and scented tampons/pads.
- Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water. Dehydration can worsen discharge.
- Take over-the-counter medication like clotrimazole (Gyne-Lotrimin) to treat yeast infections that may be causing discharge. Follow package directions.
- Consider taking a probiotic supplement to promote vaginal health by maintaining normal pH and healthy bacteria levels. Ask your doctor for a recommendation.
- Don’t use scented feminine hygiene sprays, bubble baths, bath oils, and bath salts in the vaginal area as these can disrupt normal bacterial flora.
How to take care of the vagina?
Vagina has to be taken care of by:
1. Practicing good hygiene
You should always keep the vagina free from chemicals including soaps or douches.
2. Safe sex
It is always important to clean the area after having sex and to use condoms to avoid any STIs.
3. Regular checkups
You should subject yourself to checkups and detailed gynecological exams to know if something is wrong or not.
4. Staying hydrated
It might not seem like a lot by drinking an adequate amount of water is also part of keeping the vagina healthy.
5. Choose breathable wear
Never wear tight underwear that can accumulate sweat and dirt therefore you might want to use breathable and soft fabric.
6. Eat a healthy diet
Eating the right nutrients for the body to sustain and produce mucus can help your vagina a lot.
7. Manage chronic conditions
Some conditions can cause a change in your vaginal discharge like diabetes. So you might want to manage the condition.
End Result
A large clump of clear jelly discharge could mean a lot of things. It often points towards a general problem like a change in the menstrual cycle but at times it could also be something serious like STIs or bacterial invasion. In any case, you might want to get it checked and treated using antibiotics as quickly as possible.
Keeping your vaginal healthy is a part of your reproductive health. Any complication could have dire results which would cause problems and it could spread to the other parts of the body as well. Visit your gynecologist and let them know about your discomfort rather than hiding it from everyone as it could be worse.
