It’s time for some real girl talk - vaginal discharge. It happens to all of us, some more than others, but how much is normal and how much signifies something is askew? The most basic answer is: it depends on your body because everyone is so different. Odor and color are two key indicators that can help differentiate between healthy discharge and discharge that signals an underlying issue.
What is Vaginal Discharge?
Discharge is a necessary and important component to any healthy reproductive system. Menstruating women produce as much as a full teaspoon of vaginal discharge each day. You may not love it, but you need it. Discharge provides a whirlwind of benefits to your nether regions - it keeps you hydrated, helps shed dead skin cells, and even helps keep infections at bay thanks to its acidic qualities. Healthy vaginal discharge is made up of cervical mucus, dead cells, vaginal fluid, and bacteria.
Common Causes of Excessive Vaginal Discharge
There are many causes of vaginal discharge and you will likely notice fluctuations in the amount of discharge you have depending on what stage of life you are in, or even what time of the month it is. Ovulation, pregnancy, infections, and even allergies can all cause increased discharge. If your discharge is cloudy, has a foul smell, or looks atypical it might be trying to tell you that something is off.
Some common reasons women may experience increased vaginal discharge:
Hormonal imbalance
Many factors can cause your hormones to fall out of whack, including poor diet, stress, or even an underlying medical condition. When your hormones change, so too can the amount of discharge you experience. Birth control pills and intrauterine devices can impact your hormone levels. In addition, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that an estimated 5 million women in America have PCOS, a condition that causes the body to produce an increased level of male hormones known as androgens. As a result, women with PCOS may experience irregular periods, more discharge, and lack of ovulation.
Yeast Infection
When Candida grows in the vagina, a yeast infection will ensue. Most women (70%) will develop a yeast infection at some point in their life, and it is usually accompanied by extreme vaginal itching and a chunky odorless discharge.
Bacterial Vaginosis (BV)
BV is caused by an overgrowth of bacteria in the vagina and is most likely to impact females between 15 and 44 years old. If discharge is gray or cloudy it may be caused by BV; many women also report a fishy odor, painful urination, and a burning or itching sensation.
Is it Normal to Have a lot of Discharge Every Day?
It is normal for menstruating women to have around 1 teaspoon of discharge everyday. While a teaspoon doesn’t sound like much, when spilled in your underwear it can look like a lot and sometimes feel moist. You know your body better than anyone. If you normally have a lot of discharge and there are no underlying conditions, pain, smells, etc., it is likely perfectly normal for your body. If it is bothering you, it never hurts to discuss it with your doctor just to ensure everything is OK.
What Should Healthy Discharge Look Like?
Normal, healthy discharge should be clear, odorless, and fairly consistent depending on what time of the month it is in your cycle. The thickness and texture of your discharge may vary from thin and watery to thick and gooey.
Hormones change and fluctuate throughout your cycle and this can cause an increase in vaginal discharge, especially during ovulation. At the end of your period, it is normal to experience brown, red, or even black vaginal discharge carrying out the last bits of blood shed by your uterus.
Tips on How to Manage Excessive Vaginal Discharge
Choose leakproof underwear
Certain fabrics are better at supporting vaginal health than others. Shop Proof® for leakproof underwear with Leak-Loc® technology to pull moisture away from the body and lock leaks in. It’s buttery soft, and available in all your favorite styles. From thongs to Lace Cheeky and our High Rise Smoothing Brief, our leakproof underwear are the new MVP in your underwear drawer. Bring on the discharge, we can handle it.
Practice good hygiene and avoid douches
Always wipe front to back, and use unscented soap and water to wash daily.
Avoid hygiene products with heavy fragrances
We live in a fragrance-infused world, but fragrances can be harmful especially to your more sensitive regions. Ditch the scents and get back to basics to reduce allergic reactions that can lead to increased discharge and irritation.
When to See a Doctor for Vaginal Discharge
It might be time to talk to your doctor if you are experiencing excessive vaginal discharge that is abnormal in texture, odor, or appearance. Vaginal infection is often accompanied by discharge that is green, gray, yellow, or has a foul odor.
Shop Proof® Period Underwear
Because leaks happen down there, we’ve designed cute and comfortable underwear designed to protect against all kinds of leaks, day or night. Slip on buttery soft underwear that moves with your body, and focus on the things that really matter in life - not leaks, because they will be a thing of the past. Shop various styles of our underwear today, backed by our 60 Day Money-Back Guarantee on your first order.
Sources:
Monistat. Vaginal Discharge 101: What Every Woman Should Know,
https://www.monistat.com/vaginal-health-blog-articles/vaginal-discharge-101-what-every-woman-should-know
WebMD. Vaginal Discharge: Is It Normal?,
https://www.webmd.com/women/vaginal-discharge-whats-abnormal
Medical News Today. Causes of heavy vaginal discharge,
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/327379
KHealth. Why Do I Have So Much Discharge? A Few Possible Causes,
https://khealth.com/learn/vaginal-discharge/why-do-i-have-so-much-discharge/#:~:text=The%20days%20leading%20up%20to,decrease%20in%20discharge%20is%20normal
CDC. PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) and Diabetes,
https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/basics/pcos.html
Cleveland Clinic. Vaginal Discharge,
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/4719-vaginal-discharge
Cleveland Clinic. Cervical Mucus,
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/21957-cervical-mucus
Very Well Health. What Causes Black Discharge and How Is It Treated?,
https://www.verywellhealth.com/black-discharge-8349277
FamilyDoctor.org. Vaginal Discharge,
https://familydoctor.org/condition/vaginal-discharge/
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