Hello and thankyou for approaching DoctorSpring with your query.
It is difficult to tell the difference between vaginal discharge and semen. However you can give it a try based on the following information.
Semen is usually translucent white grey or even yellowish. And differs from male to male. After ejaculation it coagulates and becomes clumpy. So if it is within few hours of ejaculation the semen as, well like 'semen' in the vaginal tract. It can have the same texture and consistency as semen observed outside. It can be bit yellowish also. it will be seen as different layer over the vaginal secretions.
After few hours (4-6 hours in general), can occur early in high temperatures, the semen can get clumpy and can become indistinguishable from vaginal secretions. As vaginal discharge has different consistency and increases or decreases during different times of the female menstrual cycle , it is not possible to make any conclusions after a few hours.
Vaginal discharge can vary from thick and white during the cycle to clear and stretchy during ovulation. It can be thick white and clumpy in case of an infection like candidiasis. It can be yellowish green, malodorous frothy in case of different infections. So a simple fungal infection (Candidiasis) - which is very common in females CAN APPEAR like semen. CANDIDA infection is the most common cause of semen like or whitish discharge in vagina.
The only way to really know the difference is on microscopic examination.
I hope this has helped.
Feel free to ask followups.
Thankyou
Patient replied :
Thank you for the answer,
I would like to describe my observation so I can get a clearer answer.
What came to my attention that I noticed a thick huge sticky layer with very light brown or yellow color with very small red or blood spots and sticky as clumpy as a group on an object, and when you wash this layer it has the same texture when you wash semen by becoming water resistant and give you the feeling of clumpy small sticky dots tiny in your hand.
Also I would like to know for how long semen can stay inside the vagina after sex.
Providing the following facts that might help for the main question:
- Anti pregnancy pills are always taken on time (never skipped) from the same manufacturer and it is called "Yasmin"
-She have been under stressful short period for less than four days
-Two weeks have passed since the last period
-Bad odor of the discharge
Appreciate your answer.
Regards,
Hello,
Your description is NOT definite or suggestive of semen inside vagina. But as I said it is difficult to comment with 100% surity. Semen can stay inside vagina for hours, but within less than couple of hours it will loose its appearance and texture.
Hope this helps
Thank you
Patient replied :
Thank you again.
I didn't get your answer and it is not related to my main question.
So I will redirect or rephrase my question.
Is it normal to have light brown with red dots discharges giving the following facts
-Anti pregnancy pills are always taken on time (never skipped) from the same manufacturer and it is called "Yasmin"
-She have been into a stressful period for less than four days and working under huge pressure
-Two weeks have passed since the last period
In other words is one of the following:
Pregnancy indication
Infection that should be taken to examination
Remaining semen commingled with internal vagina blood resulted from deep penetration
Normal discharges based on above mentioned facts
Hello,
If this light brown with red dots discharges occurred only once or twice, WITHOUT any other symptoms like burning urination, pain, bad odour etc then it can be considered as normal.
However if there is persistent discharge and/or any of the above symptoms it could be abnormal. Probably an infection. In that case a direct examination of the cervix is required for diagnosis.
Hope this helps
Thank you