Everything You Need to Know About The Fluid That Comes Out Of

Vaginal discharge is a normal part of life for individuals with vaginas. People generally don’t understand this fluid, which is typically seen on knickers, or they feel embarrassed about it. But the truth is that vaginal discharge is not only natural; it’s also an indication of a healthy reproductive system. Let’s make this normal body function less confusing.

What Is It, Exactly?

Vaginal discharge, also known as cervical mucus, is a fluid that comes from glands in the cervix and the walls of the vagina. You could say that it naturally cleans and protects the vagina.

The amount, colour, and consistency of menstrual fluid aren’t always the same; they change naturally during the cycle and are very different from person to person.

When you’re healthy, your discharge is usually clear or white and might be thin and watery or thick and sticky, like raw egg whites, especially around ovulation. It usually doesn’t smell at all or has a very light, somewhat salty smell.

The mystery of the pants stain has been solved.

Do you see dry, white, or sometimes slightly yellowish spots on your pants? This happens a lot and is usually nothing to worry about. This is why: Most of the time, fresh vaginal discharge is fluid.

The water in this fluid evaporates as it comes into contact with air, such as when you wear pants. The mucus, cells, and germs that are still there after the discharge dries up into a crusty or flaky residue. This discolouration is a natural result of healthy discharge drying up.

What Is This Liquid?

There is more to vaginal discharge than merely “water down there”. It’s a complicated balance that is important for vaginal health:

Cells:

As part of the body’s renewal process, dead cells naturally come off the walls of the vagina and cervix.

Plasma fluid

that leaks through the walls of blood arteries that supply the reproductive organs.

Bacteria:

There are trillions of beneficial bacteria in the vagina, mostly Lactobacilli, that keep the pH level slightly acidic to stop hazardous overgrowths.

Glandular Secretions:

Sebaceous (oil) and sweat glands in the vulvar area add to these.

In short, vaginal discharge is a mix of water, mucus, cells, and beneficial bacteria that are all normally present and function together.

Why It Matters: More Than Just Wetness

This fluid is very important for several reasons:

Cleansing: It naturally removes dead cells and bacteria, keeping the vaginal canal clean.

Protection: The healthy bacteria in the discharge make the area acidic, which helps keep illnesses like bacterial vaginosis and yeast infections from happening.

Lubrication: It keeps things from being irritated and dry by lowering friction during intercourse and everyday movement.

Changes in consistency (becoming clear, elastic, and slippery like egg white) are signs of ovulation, which is the best time to get pregnant.

Knowing When It Means There’s a Problem

Discharge is typical, but if it changes in a way that isn’t normal, it could be a sign of a problem. Healthy discharge is usually clear to white or off-white, has no smell or a moderate fragrance, and its consistency changes in a predictable way with the cycle. Keep an eye out for these possible warning signs:

Changes in colour include discharge that appears yellow, green, or grey….

Changes in Smell: A strong, bad, or “fishy” smell (particularly after sex).

Changes in Texture: Discharge that gets really thick and clumpy (like cottage cheese), foamy, or very watery in big volumes.

Symptoms that go along with it include itching, burning, a lot of redness or swelling in the vulvar or vaginal area, pain when urinating or having sex, pelvic pain, and spotting or bleeding between periods.

These alterations could be signs of frequent problems like:

Yeast infection (candidiasis) often generates thick, white, clumpy discharge that looks like cottage cheese and is very itchy and red.

Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) occurs when you have a thin, white or grey discharge that smells very strongly like fish, especially after sex.

Trichomoniasis is a sexually transmitted infection that can make you have a yellow-green or grey discharge that smells foul and is typically itchy and painful.

When to Talk to a Doctor

If you experience any of the following symptoms, please consult a doctor promptly:

If there is a sudden, significant shift in the quantity, hue, scent, or consistency of the discharge, consult a doctor immediately.

The discharge should be accompanied by itching, burning, pain, a rash, or swelling.

Pain during urination or sexual activity is also a common complaint.

Pain in the pelvic area or lower abdomen is also commonly experienced.

Bleeding or spotting may occur between cycles or after menopause.

The Bottom Line

Vaginal discharge is a normal, healthy, and required part of a woman’s body, much like tears keep the eyes wet and saliva keeps the lips moist. If it falls within normal limits, you shouldn’t feel humiliated or worried about it.

Being aware of what your “normal” discharge is and how it changes throughout your cycle gives you power. Being aware of this lets you know when something changes, so you can see a doctor right away if you need to. To keep your intimate health and well-being, you need to know about your body.