Puberty hits us all really hard, and if the period flow doesn’t give you enough anxiety then vaginal discharge definitely does. Trust me, you wouldn’t be ready for it and would be expected to be okay with it. I was super confused and curious when I experienced it for the first time. We’re usually prepared for our first period, but little do we know about vaginal discharge before encountering it. I think that’s why the topic has an icky reaction in general. Also, the fact that nobody wants to talk about it, makes it seem like a taboo topic too. That’s the reason why I wanted to write about it and start to normalise conversation around it. Because let’s be honest here, we all go through it!
What Is Vaginal Discharge?
Unlike how it’s perceived, vaginal discharge is a good thing for your body or at least the right type of discharge is. We’ll talk about that in a bit, so let’s see what vaginal discharge is all about. First things first; it’s normal and it’s something that happens on a regular basis. Vaginal discharge is a crucial part of a female’s reproductive system. It is the fluid secreted by glands present in the vagina and cervix and acts as a carrier to expel dead cells and bacteria. So, the main purpose of vaginal discharge is to keep the area clean and to avoid infection, in general.
Types Of Normal & Abnormal Vaginal Discharge
But unfortunately, it is not a foolproof process like any of our other bodily systems. So, it’s important to understand the look, feel and even smell of your normal discharge to ensure that you’re not suffering otherwise. Here are the types of discharge and the causes for it.
Clear Fluid
During any time of the month, clear and liquidy is the normal consistency of vaginal discharge. That’s your body discarding the unwanted.
Clear But Sticky & Stretchy
Generally, during the ovulating period the liquid consistency of normal discharge changes to being a bit sticky and stretchy.
White
Experiencing a slight white fluid discharge at the end or beginning of the menstrual cycle is normal. But if the consistency is thicker than usual along with symptoms like itching, then it might be a sign of yeast infection.
Brownish Or Bloody
In general terms what we call spotting that we experience just before and after periods can be towards the brownish or bloody colour. But it’s occurrence at any other period of time in the month is a sign that you might want to get it checked by your gynaecologist.
Yellowish Or Greenish
A yellow or green discharge along with a peculiar odour can be a symptom of bacterial infection or infection caused by sexual transmission. At times it’s even frothy in consistency. This would need your doctor’s immediate attention.
Deviation from normal discharge could be caused due to basic reasons like consumption of antibiotics or birth control pills, intense exercise, menopause, etc. or it can also occur due to severe reasons like cervical cancer, STDs, etc. So, it’s of utmost importance that we pay close attention to the colour, consistency and even the smell of our vaginal discharge. If you see any red flags, it’s advisable to get in touch with your gynaecologist ASAP.
General Vaginal Hygiene
There are a few steps you can take to keep your vagina healthy and the discharge normal. Here are some of them that you can take care of easily.
– Wear comfy clothes in breathable fabric and avoid tight pants.
– Avoid douching and while bathing only clean the outside area of your vagina gently.
– Don’t opt for products like scented tampons or scented wipes as it hampers the vagina’s natural balance.
– Visit your gynaecologist regularly for routine check-ups and tests.
Vaginal discharge is an integral part of our lives and even knowing this basic info about it can be a game changer for your health. So, remember to keep these tips in mind to always have a happy and healthy vajayjay!
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