Vaginal yellow discharge causes
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Common Infectious Causes of Vaginal Yellow Discharge
Yellow vaginal discharge is most often linked to infections, particularly bacterial vaginosis and trichomoniasis. Bacterial vaginosis is the most common cause, frequently presenting as a copious, foul-smelling yellow discharge, sometimes accompanied by other symptoms like odor, itching, or mild discomfort. The main bacteria involved include Gardnerella vaginalis, Bacteroides, Fusobacterium, and Mycoplasma species. This condition can also be asymptomatic in up to half of affected women, but when symptoms are present, yellow discharge is a typical feature 23467.
Trichomoniasis, a sexually transmitted infection caused by the protozoan Trichomonas vaginalis, is another important cause. It usually presents with a heavy, sometimes frothy, yellow or green discharge, often associated with vaginal and vulvar soreness, itching, and sometimes a noticeable odor. Trichomoniasis is also linked to signs like vaginal and vulvar erythema and "strawberry cervix" on examination 16810.
Other Infectious and Non-Infectious Causes
While less common, other infections such as cervicitis caused by chlamydia or gonorrhea can also result in yellow vaginal discharge. Additionally, desquamative inflammatory vaginitis, a less frequent but notable condition, can cause a thick yellow discharge along with intense vaginal redness. Non-infectious causes, such as atrophic vaginitis (especially in postmenopausal women) and allergic or irritant reactions, may also present with abnormal discharge, though yellow color is less typical in these cases 79.
Diagnostic Considerations for Yellow Vaginal Discharge
Accurate diagnosis of the cause of yellow vaginal discharge requires a combination of clinical examination and laboratory testing. While visual inspection and patient history are helpful, laboratory methods such as microscopy, culture, and nucleic acid amplification tests (NAAT) are often necessary to distinguish between bacterial vaginosis, trichomoniasis, and other causes. This is important because symptoms and discharge color alone are not specific enough to reliably identify the underlying condition 127810.
Conclusion
Yellow vaginal discharge is most commonly caused by bacterial vaginosis and trichomoniasis, but can also result from other infections or, less frequently, non-infectious conditions. Proper diagnosis using both clinical and laboratory methods is essential for effective treatment and to prevent complications or recurrence.
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