Discover why we have it & when to get it checked out
What is vaginal discharge?
It’s time we beat the taboos surrounding ‘lady parts’ and start talking openly about what’s going on ‘down there’.
If there’s one thing women should never be ashamed of, it’s vaginal discharge – a fluid or mucus that helps keep the vagina clean and protects it from infection. Some women have lots, some women have little, but the most important thing to remember is that having it is completely natural.
Normal vaginal discharge tends to be:
• Clear or white
• Odourless or with a mild, non-foul odour
• Thick and sticky
• Slippery and wet
There’s no one-size-fits-all with discharge. It varies from person to person and can change in consistency and appearance depending on a variety of reasons.
For example, vaginal discharge during pregnancy may increase, while vaginal discharge after menopause may change in colour. Other reasons, such as which phase of the menstrual cycle you’re at, if you're sexually active, or if you're using birth control can also affect the consistency, colour and volume of your discharge.
When should I worry about vaginal discharge?
It can be easy to ignore changes in discharge for fear of embarrassment, but changes could be a sign of bacterial infection or other health conditions. We’d recommend checking in with your GP if you experience any of the below:
• If you have fishy-smelling discharge, you could have bacterial vaginosis (BV). BV is not a sexually transmitted infection (STI), but it can increase your risk of getting STIs like chlamydia
• If you have thick and white discharge (like cottage cheese) you could have thrush – a common yeast infection that can cause some discomfort
• If you have green, yellow or frothy discharge, you could have an STI called trichomoniasis
• If you have pelvic pain or bleeding, you could have an STI called chlamydia or gonorrhoea
• If you have blisters or sores, you could have an STI called genital herpes
How to manage your discharge
Although you can’t prevent vaginal discharge, there are things you can do to help prevent irritation, soreness or dryness. For example:
• Use panty liners to help with heavy or excess discharge and to help control odour – why not try eco-friendly ones that are kinder to the planet?
• Wash gently
• Use water and emollient, such as E45 cream
