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Vaginal discharge is normal, according to a gynecologist. However, there are instances when it's time to consult a physician.
When Is Vaginal Discharge Alarming?
Vaginal discharge refers to non-period fluid that comes out from the vagina. They can be dry, wet, creamy, stretchy, or sticky, and familiarizing them will help you understand your hormone levels, like when your estrogen is rising or your ovulation is happening.
Gynecologist Dr. Melanie Bone, U.S. medical director at gynecological health company Daye, explained that vaginal discharges are normal. However, there are some indications that you should not ignore.
Per Bone, discharge helps clean and maintain the vaginal tissue, so it is a normal and essential aspect of vaginal health. Lactobacilli, which generate the lactic acid required to ward off dangerous germs and infections, are found in healthy vaginal discharge. Additionally, it keeps your vagina lubricated and guards against irritation and tiny tears.
Naturally, the demands of your vagina fluctuate throughout the month in accordance with your menstrual cycle. Likewise, your discharge does.
"Healthy vaginal discharge is typically clear to milky white and may vary in consistency throughout the menstrual cycle," Bone said.
Vaginal discharge may seem brownish after menstruation, but this is typical since it aids in the removal of leftover period fluid. Because progesterone and estrogen levels are low after your menstrual period, it's also typical to see less discharge.
Estrogen levels rise in the lead-up to ovulation, causing a more clear, stretchy discharge with a consistency akin to egg whites. Progesterone levels increase following ovulation, and they typically return to being stickier and cloudier until your next period.
Environmental variables, including stress, hormone contraception, and medicine, can also affect discharge. However, it's crucial to pay attention to any variations in your typical discharge cycle.
"Significant alterations in color, texture, smell, or amount should prompt consultation with a healthcare professional to rule out any underlying health issues," she added.
Here are some important things ladies should not ignore about their discharges.
- A bubbly, foamy, or fishy-smelling discharge may be a sign of bacterial vaginosis.
- The characteristic symptoms of a yeast infection are burning or itching, combined with discharge that has a thick, clumpy white consistency similar to cottage cheese.
- Relentless brown and bloody discharge may indicate more concerning diseases, including cervical or uterine cancer, which need to be addressed immediately
- If discharge is accompanied by a fever or pelvic pain, you should see your gynecologist right away or get tested for STIs (sexually transmitted infections) at home, as it could be a symptom of trichomoniasis, gonorrhea, or chlamydia.
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Vaginal Health Tips
Moreland OB-GYN shared some tips to maintain good vulva and vaginal health. First, one should keep it clean by washing it daily with warm water. Soap is optional, but if one uses it, it should be gentle, like Dove-Hypoallergenic.
Do not wash inside the vagina, as it could upset the pH balance. Also, the vagina cleans itself with discharge.
When using the toilet, wipe in front and then in the back. Do not do it the other way, as it could transfer bacteria to the urethra and cause urinary tract infection (UTI).
After engaging in sex, urinate to flush out bacteria and avoid contracting UTI. Also, shower or clean the vulva with warm water, then dry the area.
Your choice of clothing may also affect your vaginal health. Opt for cotton underwear as it is less likely to hold moisture and keeps smell-producing bacteria from building up. Avoid tight-fitting clothing like thongs, as they can collect fecal matter and transfer it to the vagina, which may cause infections and odors.
Change your clothes and underwear after working out. Avoid wearing damp swimwear all day. And to reduce sweat, you can skip your underwear at night.
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