Medical Questions & Answers

Question: What is the purpose of a woman’s period?
Once a month, just after a woman releases the egg (at ovulation) from her ovary, the lining of the womb (uterus) is at its peak to allow the embedding of a fertilized egg.
If pregnancy does not occur, the lining of the womb starts to deteriorate as the hormones that sustain it in peak condition alter. After a few days, the lining breaks down completely, sloughs off the wall of the uterus, and is washed away by the blood released from the arteries that supplied it. Contractions of the uterus also help remove the debris.
After 3 to 5 days, the bleeding stops, and a new lining starts to develop ready for the next month’s ovulation.

Question: I have a very embarrassing problem that I am reluctant to discuss with my doctor. It is a discharge from the vagina. What could it be?
Vaginal discharges fall into three major categories—excess normal secretions, infections, and bloody discharges.
The most common cause is excess production of the normal lubricating fluid that is present in the vagina. This can be due to hormonal changes at puberty, menopause and with pregnancy; the use of hormones including those in the oral contraceptive pill; sexual excitement or even stress and anxiety. Vaginal douches can sometimes irritate the vagina to cause a discharge. Infections can include thrush (a fungus being the cause), trichomoniasis (a small organism that is transmitted sexually), various venereal diseases and a bacterial vaginitis. Doctors can usually distinguish between these by the appearance of the discharge, the smell produced or by using laboratory tests. Bloody discharges are cause for concern. It may be just an abnormal period, but can also be a sign of significant vaginal or uterine disease.
Please do not be embarrassed, see your doctor to obtain the correct diagnosis and treatment.

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