Having vaginal discharge is completely normal. If you didn’t know already, vaginal discharge is a fluid that’s meant to maintain a healthy pH balance and prevent infections. You should not worry about it, but some changes in texture, colour, and scent might mean there is an underlying health condition.
Some women may experience no noticeable discharge, which is also normal! But, if you’re one of those who are experiencing many types of vaginal discharge, you might want to learn what’s the difference between one and another.
Clear and watery discharge
This type of discharge is normal and, although it usually appears around ovulation, some women have this type of discharge throughout their cycle. It can appear because your body is flushing out dead cells and bacteria and can come out more when you’re sexually aroused.
Clear and stretchy discharge
Once you hit ovulation, the watery discharge could turn into a clear but stretchy one.
White discharge
This type of discharge is common and usually normal, especially at the beginning or end of your period cycle. It can be slightly thick and sticky, too. You might want to be more cautious once the texture turns clumpy, cottage cheese-like and has a foul odour, because it may be a sign of a yeast infection or other types of infections. See a healthcare provider for an accurate diagnosis.
Brown discharge
The colour brown might be the result of your vaginal discharge mixed with blood. This type of discharge normally occurs right before or after your period. You might want to see a doctor if it happens in between periods for a long time since it can also be a sign of other health conditions, such as cervical polyps or cancer.
Bloody discharge
It might be a sign of your period is coming or implantation bleeding if you just had intercourse. You may also experience a small amount of bloody discharge in between periods, usually called spotting. It may be a sign of hormonal imbalance, vaginal infection, or cervical cancer.
Yellow or green discharge
Although vaginal discharge can naturally turn yellowish when exposed to air, the yellow-coloured discharge could also be a sign of bacterial infection or sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as gonorrhoea and chlamydia. Thick and chunky darker yellow or green discharge along with an unpleasant smell could be the sign. See a healthcare professional for the right diagnosis.
The vaginal discharge could be quite uncomfortable because it wets the panties—especially around and during ovulation time. Instead of using disposable panty liners that could contribute to more plastic waste, we’d like to recommend you use your period underwear with the lightest absorbency, like The Easy Breezy from MOOVE. It will feel just like your regular underwear, but it can still keep that area dry and makes it easier & comfier for you to MOOVE!
Read