Vaginal Discharge – What’s Normal, What’s Not?
“There is definitely something wrong with me. Down there. For sure. I buy the best quality of underpants but within a few weeks, the crotch area of the garment begins to fade. The colour wears off and the cloth becomes patchy. As if that particular area has been bleached. It becomes so embarrassing to put out such undergarments in the clothing line for drying. What could be the reason?”
Anusha Patil, 24, Delhi
I received this query (and many more like these) on email from a young girl whose concern was fading of undergarments at a particular spot – right where the vagina sits.
The reason is simple and normal. It’s your vaginal discharge.
Yes, the white, watery fluid that comes out of vagina, on-and-off, is acidic in nature and hence over the time, it bleaches the part of undergarment where it comes in contact with it.
What is vaginal discharge?
First things first. Vaginal discharge is NORMAL and happens to all women.
It is a combination of mucous, fluid and cells continuously being shed through the walls of vagina and cervix.
Normal vaginal discharge (medically known as leukorrhea) not only keeps the vaginal tissues healthy and provides lubrication but it also protects against infections and irritation.
On a lighter note, consider it to be the housekeeping service of vagina. Its job is to keep the area clean.
The amount, colour and consistency of normal vaginal discharge varies from whitish and sticky to clear and watery, depending on what stage of menstrual cycle you are in.
Some women tend to experience it more few days before they begin their period.
It is a combination of mucous, fluid and cells continuously being shed through the walls of vagina and cervix.
Normal vaginal discharge (medically known as leukorrhea) not only keeps the vaginal tissues healthy and provides lubrication but it also protects against infections and irritation.
On a lighter note, consider it to be the housekeeping service of vagina. Its job is to keep the area clean.
The amount, colour and consistency of normal vaginal discharge varies from whitish and sticky to clear and watery, depending on what stage of menstrual cycle you are in.
Some women tend to experience it more few days before they begin their period.
Why vaginal discharge is important and needed?
Normal vaginal discharge creates a naturally acidic environment in the vaginal canal. The moderately acidic pH of your vagina helps in preventing infections. It also promotes a good balance of vaginal flora and bacteria.
What is normal vaginal discharge?
Here is a checklist of normal vaginal discharge.
Your vaginal discharge is normal if it
- does not have a strong or unpleasant smell
- is clear or white
- is thick and sticky
- is slippery and wet
- causes no irritation down there
What is abnormal discharge?
You normal vaginal discharge turns abnormal when it changes colour, odour and consistency.
Any change in the vagina's balance of normal bacteria can affect the smell, appearance or texture of the discharge.
For example, it can turn fishy in smell, curd-like, copious and many other things.
Types of Abnormal Discharge and Their Possible Causes
Type of Discharge |
What It Might Mean |
Other Symptoms |
|---|---|---|
Bloody or brown |
Irregular menstrual cycles,
or less often, cervical or endometrial cancer |
Abnormal vaginal
bleeding, pelvic pain |
Cloudy or yellow |
Gonorrhea |
Bleeding between
periods, urinary
incontinence, pelvic pain |
Frothy, yellow or
greenish with bad smell |
Trichomoniasis |
Pain and itching while
urinating |
Pink |
Shedding of the uterine
lining
after childbirth (lochia) |
|
Thick, white, cheesy |
Yeast infection |
Swelling and pain around
the vulva, itching, painful
sexual intercourse |
White, grey, or yellow
with fishy odour |
Bacterial vaginosis |
Itching or burning, redness
and swelling of the vagina
or vulva |
What all can cause abnormal vaginal discharge?
These are a few of the things and conditions that can upset the balance and result in abnormal vaginal discharge. Such as,
- Antibiotic or steroid use
- Birth control pills
- Cervical cancer
- Diabetes
- Douches, scented soaps or lotions, bubble bath
- Bacterial vaginosis, a bacterial infection
- Chlamydia or gonorrhea (STDs), sexually transmitted infections
- Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
- Trichomoniasis, a parasitic infection
- Yeast infections
- Vaginal atrophy during menopause
- Vaginitis, irritation in or around the vagina
When to see a doctor?
It’s time to visit your gynaecologist if you have,
- Greenish, yellowish, thick or cheesy vaginal discharge
- Strong/fishy vaginal odour
- Redness, itching, burning or irritation around your vulva or vagina
- Bleeding or spotting unrelated to period
- Pain in the area between your tummy and thighs
Anything YOU you can do to help with vaginal discharge?
Nope. You cannot prevent vaginal discharge from happening.
- If normal, just go with the ‘flow’. Nothing is to be done
- If copious in amount, wear a panty liner
- If abnormal, let the doctor do the needful
Vaginal Dryness - Causes and Management
As opposed to excessive or abnormal discharge, sometimes women suffer from vaginal dryness.
Normally, the walls of the vagina stay lubricated with a thin layer of clear vaginal fluid. The oestrogen hormone helps in maintaining that fluid and keeps the lining of vagina healthy, elastic, and thick.
A drop in oestrogen levels reduces the amount of moisture in vaginal area. It can happen at any age and from a number of different reasons.
You can get vaginal dryness if you,
- are going through the menopause
- are breastfeeding
- are taking contraceptive pills or antidepressants
- have your womb (uterus) removed (hysterectomy)
- having cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy
These things can cause a change in hormone levels and the change can affect the
vaginal discharge or fluid.
Vaginal dryness can lead to itching, burning, and painful intercourse.
Vaginal dryness can lead to itching, burning, and painful intercourse.
What can be done?
- Avoid using douches, bubble baths, scented soaps, and lotions down there. These products can worsen dryness
- Buy glycerine-based vaginal moisturizer from your local drugstore or supermarket
- Treatment for vaginal dryness due to low oestrogen levels will be treated by a qualified doctor
RECAP
– A healthy vagina secretes some amount of fluid daily– The amount and ‘what it looks like’ can vary from person to person
– Changes in fluid’s colour, thickness or amount can indicate a possible infection
– Vaginal dryness is common in pre-menopausal and post-menopausal women
