Everything You Want To Know About Vaginal Discharge But Were Afraid To Ask
by Marissa Pomerance
Even as we break taboos around periods and UTI’s and sexual pleasure, vaginal discharge is one of the last frontiers of perfectly-normal-yet-stimgatized bodily functions.
Every woman experiences it, but because no one ever talks about it, most of us know n o t h i n g. So we’re left to wonder what’s normal and what’s healthy and what warrants a hushed call to our gynecologists.
So here’s everything you’ve always secretly wondered about vaginal discharge, but were too embarrassed to ask. Let’s get into it.
1. Whyyyy does this even happen?
Vaginal discharge refers to any fluid (excluding period-related fluids) that comes from your vagina, like vaginal lubrication or cervical mucus. The vagina cleans itself, so vaginal discharge is usually just the vagina ridding itself of fluids, bacteria, and extra cells, like cervical cells. It varies per person, per day, and most types are completely normal.
Cervical mucus is one of the biggest components of vaginal discharge, and it’s a byproduct of your cycle. This cervical fluid changes throughout your cycle based on your hormones and how it expects to interact with sperm at that moment (ie, does it want to let sperm through your cervix, or nah?)
So getting normal, everyday discharge doesn’t mean you’re unhygienic or unhealthy— quite the opposite.
2. Here’s what normal vaginal discharge looks like.
Let’s say this again— vaginal discharge is totally normal and healthy. And it’s also normal for it to change over the course of the month, or even over the course of a day.
There are a lot of types of healthy discharge, so don’t be alarmed if your discharge is:
White
Creamy
Clear
Cloudy
Watery
Stretchy (!)
Egg-whitey (not a word)
In most cases, a little brown or bloody discharge is also normal— just pre or post-period spotting.
But it’s not all about color and consistency; the quantity of healthy discharge can also vary, so there’s no one right amount, and how much discharge you get can depend on your age, hormones, and where you are in your cycle.
Here are a few things to know:
Just after your period: You might not even get any discharge on the days immediately following your period. Again, normal.
Ovulation: You usually get the most discharge when you’re ovulating, and it can be stretchy, wet, slippery, clear, or eggy. You can even track the changes in your discharge to get a better idea of when you might be ovulating.
Birth Control: Being on hormonal birth control pills might decrease your amount of discharge.
Pregnancy: Discharge typically increases during pregnancy.
Perimenopause and Menopause: A dip in levels of estrogen might cause discharge to decrease during perimenopause and menopause.
3. When to call your OBGYN.
Generally, smallish changes to your discharge aren’t a cause for concern.
New soaps and personal care products, changes to birth control, sexual activity, medications, menopause, and our diet can all affect our vaginal microbiome. And little changes in our vaginal microbiome might also lead to changes in our discharge.
But sometimes, these changes might indicate infections or other health issues. Here’s what to be on the lookout for:
Excessively white and clumpy: Discharge with the texture of cottage cheese— thick, white, clumpy— can be indicative of a yeast infection.
Yellow or green: If it’s yellow or green and accompanied by a smell, it might indicate an STI like gonorrhea, chlamydia, or trichomoniasis.
Brown or bloody: As we mentioned earlier, a little pre or post-period brown or bloody discharge could just be normal spotting. But in some very rare instances, it can be a sign of cervical or endometrial cancer.
Odorous: Discharge with a strong odor that’s particularly fishy or foul might be a symptom of bacterial vaginosis, a common and treatable bacterial infection, or Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).
4. What your discharge can tell you about your health.
So yes, we know that vaginal discharge is normal, and in most cases, perfectly healthy. But let’s move beyond just normalizing it— let’s celebrate it. For all the amazing things it can tell us about our health. Here are just a few:
When you’re ovulating: Of course, there are now countless apps and devices for tracking your ovulation, but if you want to do it the ole’ fashioned way, just take a look at your discharge. If it’s wet, stretchy, and resembles raw egg whites, you’re at your most fertile.
When you’re pregnant: Vaginal discharge that is increasing in quantity, thin, milky-white or colorless, with a mild odor, is one of the earliest signs of pregnancy.
When you’re about to go into labor: If you’re at the tail-end of your pregnancy, and your discharge starts to get thicker, pinker, and heavier, it might be a sign that you’ll be going into labor very soon.
When you might have an STD or infection: As we mentioned, discharge that turns yellow, green, or smelly might be indicative of an STD or an infection.
When you’re dehydrated: If your discharge becomes thicker and more viscous, you might just be dehydrated. Drink up!
When you’re stressed: You probably don’t need your vagina to tell you if you’re stressed— you probably already know. But increased discharge, or vaginal dryness during sex, might indicate an increase in stress hormones.
5. A few tips for maintaining happy, healthy discharge.
A happy, healthy vagina means normal, healthy discharge. And most of us know the basics of good vaginal hygiene— pee before and after sex, wipe front to back, change out of our sweaty clothes immediately.
But to keep things running along smoothly down there, here are a few more ideas:
Don’t douche: You’ve probably heard this before. Do women even douche anymore? Well, just in case, here it is again. DON’T DOUCHE. The vagina is self-cleaning, and douches can actually lead to more potential infections, which defeats the purpose.
Only use mild, unscented soaps: Avoid getting soap in the vagina, and only clean your vulva. Keep fragrances and heavy products away from your vagina— they’ll just irritate it.
Use protection: It’s obvious, but if you don’t want STD’s and their accompanying yellow/green discharge, use a condom with any new partners.
Wear cotton underwear: Lightweight cotton (particularly organic) underwear is best for your vaginal health because of its breathability, which allows moisture to escape, keeping bacteria at bay, and maintaining a healthy pH. Also, get new underwear every 6 months to a year— old pairs can hold onto bacteria, increasing your chances of getting infections. You can even go commando, especially at night, for maximum breathability.
Use soft toilet paper: Toilet paper that’s scented or rough can cause little tears in your vulva, or irritation. Treat yourself, and get the good stuff. It’s for your health.
Use lube: Less friction means less irritation means more pleasure means happier vagina.
Get better period products: Since keeping perfume out of your vagina is ideal, stick with period products that get rid of all that junk for you, like Lola’s organic cotton tampons.
Clean your sex toys: Look, everything you’re sticking in there should be clean— hands, toys, penises, etc— ok?
Like we said. Discharge IS NORMAL.
Marissa Pomerance is the Managing Editor of The Candidly. She’s a Los Angeles native and lover of all things food, style, beauty, and wellness. You can find more of her articles here.
