Let’s talk about vaginal discharge. And yes, you at the back there, please stay for this one! We know this topic can bring up feelings of shame and embarrassment because we’ve grown up in a world that’s made that the norm. But let us tell you something … virtually every vagina-owning person in the WORLD gets discharge. Some more than others (of course, ‘cause everyone is different) but srsly, that patch in your underwear is, from a bodily-function perspective, pretty impressive! There are so many things we’re not taught about discharge, let’s discuss …
1.
Vaginal discharge is made up of fluids from your cervix, uterus and vagina
It’s this fluid that keeps your vagina clean and moist by expelling old cells that have lined the vagina. Discharge also helps protect against infection, and keeps the good and bad bacteria in our vagina (microbiome) in harmonious balance. It’s a big ‘thank you’ from us! 👏
2.
There’s no shame in having discharge stains in your underwear
You guessed it, you are not the only person this happens to. Vaginas are acidic and have a natural pH balance of 3.8-4.5 and so, as our friends over at The Vagina Museum shared, your discharge can actually bleach fabric! This may also explain any tiny holes you find in your underwear too. 👀
3.
It’s totally normal for discharge to change texture and consistency (and amount!)
Depending on where you are in your menstrual cycle, or whether you’re pregnant or going through menopause, your discharge may look and feel different. For example, if you’re ovulating, your discharge will be watery with an almost egg-white like consistency – this is to help the sperm’s journey through to fertilisation.
4.
Obvious changes in discharge can also warn us that something else is going on
If your discharge starts to look different from what’s ‘normal’ for you, it’s best to consult your GP. A change in colour to yellow or green, pain or a burning sensation in the area or an unpleasant smell to your discharge can all be signs of infection.
The professional POV
We love the work of gynaecologist Dr Anita Mitra, aka the Gynae Geek. In this blog article she says that vaginal discharge is the reason we all exist! We had some big ah-ha moments while reading it, plus we have to congratulate anyone who can work a reference to Mo Farah into a short-read about cervical fluid …
One of our favourite YouTubers, Hannah Witton, dedicated a whole vlog to the wondrous workings of discharge. In this video for The Body Shop, Hannah explores the changing phases of our discharge in a totally #relatable way, and tells you what to look out for if you’re experiencing any fluid that’s unusual for you.
