Is vaginal discharge normal?
Yes, it can be normal to have vaginal discharge, but it can also be a sign of a more serious issue. Pay attention to color, consistency and smell of your discharge to be able to decode what your body is trying to tell you.
Most women have some sort of vaginal discharge whether that may be every day or once in a while. It is important to know what “normal”discharge is and isn’t. Medical News Today explains how the consistency, color and amount can change from day to day depending on where a person is in their cycle.
red
Any shade of red from bright to dark is commonly a result of blood from a period. If you experience bleeding in between your periods consult with your doctor as this could indicate a more serious condition.
white
A cream color or yellowish vaginal discharge is likely a
sign of healthy lubrication. Beware of consistency and smell – as this can be a telltale sign of something to get looked at. If discharge looks like cottage cheese and is accompanied with a strong unpleasant odor this could be a sign of infection. If you experience odor, see your doctor to properly diagnose and advise medication.
If these symptoms happen to you, there is no need to feel embarrassed. This happens to many women from time to time, and doctors are here to help with
these issues with no judgement.
yellow or green
If your vaginal discharge has an occasional very light-yellow tint, no need to get alarmed. It may coincide with your current diet or dietary supplements.
However, if you notice a darker shade of yellow or green this usually means there is an infection such as bacterial or sexually transmissible infections. You should consult with your doctor if this happens and/or if the discharge becomes thick, clumpy and has a foul odor.
pink
Pink or light red discharge can occur before a period, this is called spotting. This may happen if you miss a dose of your birth control or lifestyle change.
Experiencing any pink discharge after sex could be from a
small tear or irritation of the vagina or cervix during intimacy. If bleeding
continues see your health care provider to verify the issue.
clear or light white
Vaginal discharge that is clear or a light color with a slippery feel almost like the consistency of egg whites. This is completely normal, and is the most common of the vaginal discharges that women experience. You may find yourself with this kind of discharge every day or the few days leading up to your period, or even when being turned on.
As you can see vaginal discharge can be normal, but it can also be a sign of a more serious condition. Increased vaginal discharge can be caused by normal menstrual cycles, or vaginal infections. If you experience more than your usually amount of vaginal discharge see your doctor to discuss your symptoms.
If you notice a foul odor from your vagina, don’t use scented products to try and rid the problem. In most cases the chemicals in soaps, sprays and wipes make the issue worse. It is normal for our vaginas to smell but it should not be unpleasant. It is important to listen to your body and what it is trying to tell you.
Vaginas are nothing to be self conscious about and that is why we are here to talk all about them! If you are embarrassed about dealing with your vaginal discharge – don’t be! You can try wear a liner on your panties so you they don’t get them stained or wet and just know all women experience it.
