Women's Healthdàixià yìcháng

Abnormal Vaginal Discharge

Also called:Abnormal dischargeVaginal dischargeLeukorrhea

From the TCM perspective: TCM 'dai xia bing'; located in the belt vessel and uterus, related to spleen and kidney.

Overview

Abnormal vaginal discharge is a change in amount, color, consistency or odor, sometimes with itching. Fu Qingzhu's Gynecology treats discharge disorders in detail. TCM patterns are spleen deficiency/cold-damp (white discharge), damp-heat (yellow discharge), damp-toxin, and kidney yin deficiency (reddish discharge); the core is loss of restraint of the belt vessel with dampness pouring downward.

☯Common patterns (syndrome differentiation)

Spleen deficiency / cold-damp (white discharge)

Key distinguishing signs: Copious thin white odorless discharge like egg white, sallow face, fatigue, poor appetite, loose stool, pale tongue with white greasy coat, soggy slow pulse.
Treatment principle: Strengthen spleen, raise yang and eliminate dampness

Damp-heat pouring down (yellow discharge)

Key distinguishing signs: Yellow/yellow-green thick malodorous discharge with itchy burning vulva, bitter taste, dark urine, red tongue with yellow greasy coat, slippery rapid pulse.
Treatment principle: Clear heat, drain dampness and stop discharge

Damp-toxin accumulation

Key distinguishing signs: Profuse red-white or purulent green-yellow foul discharge with burning genital pain, possibly fever and lower-abdominal pain, red tongue with yellow coat, rapid pulse.
Treatment principle: Clear heat, resolve toxin and eliminate dampness

Kidney yin deficiency (reddish discharge)

Key distinguishing signs: Scant red-white discharge with vaginal dryness, sore weak knees, heat in palms/soles, dry mouth, red tongue with little coat, fine rapid pulse.
Treatment principle: Nourish yin, supplement the kidney and clear heat

Daily self-care

Keep the vulva clean and dry, wear breathable cotton underwear and avoid frequent douching and harsh washes.
Avoid unprotected exposure; use condoms as appropriate, follow the prescribed course and have partners treated when advised.
Changes in color/odor or itch, burning and fever warrant gynecologic examination and discharge testing rather than prolonged self-use of antibiotics or washes.

When to seek medical help

The following warning signs require prompt medical evaluation — do not rely on self-treatment:

Discharge with fever, pelvic pain or pain during sex: possible pelvic inflammatory disease — prompt care.
Bloody discharge or irregular bleeding after menopause: seek examination immediately.
Bleeding, fluid leakage or markedly abnormal discharge during pregnancy: seek prompt care.

Medical disclaimer: Educational content about traditional Chinese medicine for information only; it is not a diagnosis or treatment and does not replace a qualified clinician. If symptoms worsen or warning signs appear, seek medical care.

All symptoms