What is that on my underwear? Is this white stuff normal? What is that smell? I better find something to wash my vagina with.
Some of these scenarios may seem familiar. Some discharge and smells are normal, and some are not. So, how can you tell the difference? Becoming familiar with your body and tracking if something looks or smells different is important for your health. For example, it is normal to have white discharge before the ovulation window, about 14 days before your period starts. However, what if the discharge looks yellow or gray and smells fishy? These symptoms may be a sign of vaginitis, a common infection.
Vaginitis is caused by a change and increase in normal vaginal pH levels. The source may be viral, bacterial, or yeast. If the infection is left untreated or becomes a recurring problem, there can be long-term effects, such as pelvic inflammatory disease, increased risk of infertility, early premature births in pregnant women, or chronic pelvic pain.
You may have vaginitis if you have any of the following symptoms: cottage cheese-like discharge, green or yellow discharge, fishy odor, itchiness, redness or burning of the vulva, pain with sex, or pain with urination.
Our vagina is moderately acidic with a pH level of 3.8-5.0, and it contains good flora and bacteria. This acidic environment protects the vagina from harmful infection. So, here are some ways to help promote our vaginal health and prevent changes in its pH:
Avoid douching.
Douches are sold in stores as a mixture of water and other fluids. It typically comes in a bottle, and you squirt it into your vagina to clean it out. Douches are unsafe and can lead to more serious problems.
Wash with mild soap and water.
You can still wash the outside of your vagina area, called the vulva. Be careful not to spray water into the vagina and avoid any scented soaps and deodorants.
Avoid overwashing.
Overwashing can strip the normal flora.
Wear cotton underwear.
Cotton helps wick away moisture and keeps you drier.
Avoid tight clothing and change out of wet clothes (swimsuits, workout clothes) as soon as possible.
Heat and moisture increase the risk of an infection.
Do not leave tampons or wear pads for longer than 8hrs.
Menstrual blood can cause vaginal pH levels to rise.
Use condoms if sexually active.
Having unprotected sex increases vaginal pH levels for up to 10-14hrs.
Include probiotics in your diet.
Lactobacillus acidophilus and Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1 are found in normal vaginal flora, and they help stabilize the pH environment.
If you feel like you may have vaginitis, contact a health provider immediately and get tested. The test can then determine what kind of infection it is and how to treat it. Women should not live in discomfort because of these symptoms. Let's make talking about vaginal discharge and vaginal health normal.
Cleveland Clinic. (n.d.). Cervical Mucus. Retrieved from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/21957-cervical-mucus
John Hopkins Medicine. (n.d.) Vaginitis. Retrieved from https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/vaginitis
Li H., Zang Y., Wang C., Li H., Fan A., Han C., Xue F. The Interaction between Microorganisms, Metabolites, and Immune System in the Female Genital Tract Microenvironment. Front. Cell. Infect. Microbiol. 2020;10:609488. doi: 10.3389/fcimb.2020.609488
Cleveland Clinic. (n.d.). Vulva. Retrieved from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/vulva
Office on Women’s Health, U.C. Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.). Douching. Retrieved from https://www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/douching
Assessed and Endorsed by the MedReport Medical Review Board
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