What is vaginal discharge and why do women have it?
The vagina as well as the cervix and uterus normally secretes fluid that comes out through the vagina removing all the unwanted bacteria and old cells to keep it healthy and lubricated. Vaginal discharge is normal but foul smell and change in colour may indicate an infection.
The amount of discharge you experience and the type thereof varies throughout your menstrual cycle. The cervix produces the fluid known as the cervical mucus that goes through changes throughout the cycle. We should all know as women by now that the vagina cleans itself so this is another purpose for the discharge. The vagina cleans itself for protection against bacteria, it secretes fluids for lubrication of itself and the vulva. The fluids will carry away the bad unwanted bacteria and dead tissues.
Vaginal discharges can change colour, texture and smell and the amount differs as well. Some women experience a lot while others have just a little. You might have more discharge during ovulation or when you are sexually aroused. during ovulation most women experience sticky vaginal discharge and most take it as a sign of ovulation. In this way it makes it easy for those who want to fall pregnant to track their ovulation period. One woman can experience few changes on their discharge throughout their menstrual cycle.
Let us take a look into the types of sticky vaginal discharges that you may experience throughout the cycle.
Types of sticky vaginal discharge
1. A pale or white discharge
A pale or white sticky discharge is a common type that you will normally experience before and at the end of your periods. It shows a sign of infection if it starts to itch, smell and change in colour by getting darker and thicker. Different types of white shades discharges may be normal.
2. A clear discharge
This kind of sticky discharge is experienced during the middle of the follicular phase. If we calculate based on 28days cycle then it will appear probably on the 7th day of the phase. It is normally thin, clear and sticky and if it has a bad smell it is no longer regarded as normal.
3. A clear and stretchy discharge
An increased amount of mucous-like clear discharge may be an indication that you are ovulating
4. A brown or pale yellow discharge
A brown sticky discharge is normally experienced when an embryo implants during early days or beginning of pregnancy. It also appears just before the beginning of the period or it can come after the periods and it is normally brown and sticky. The colour change can be due to small blood that is mixed with it. This discharge can also occur after sexual intercourse due to contact of the penis with cervix and it happens if you a have a friable cervix. If it occurs for longer days with other symptoms it is no longer considered normal and you should seek professional help. A pale yellow sticky discharge that is odorless is not a cause for concern.
How to treat your vagina?
Avoid hot water and only use very mild soap. Avoid scented products and douching.
Summary
- Vaginal sticky discharge may be absolutely normal and may also be due to infection
- Vaginal discharge may have some subtle normal type of smell that differs from one woman to the next
- Normal vaginal discharge shouldn’t cause irritation as well as itchiness
- There are different types of vaginal discharge that are normal
- vaginal discharge that is not due to infection is a normal way for our vagina to keep clean, healthy and lubricated
- During menstrual cycle that’s when you may notice changes and the amount of discharge you get
Tips - If you experience any unusual consistent discharge or even a foul, fishy or bad smell, seek medical advice from a professional as soon as possible. Not all infections are sexually related
- Keep doing Kegel exercises
- Keep track of your discharge especially around your cycle so you can understand yourself and easily pick if there is anything wrong
**YOUR VAGINA IS YOUR MASTER PIECE, UNDERSTAND IT AND NURTURE IT**
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