Vaginal Discharge: What's Normal, What's Not & What Can We Do To Keep Our Fruit Healthy Naturally?
- oshunessence
- Oct 23, 2022
- 3 min read
Updated: Feb 5, 2023
Facts about vaginal discharge:
Normal discharge is common and changes throughout the menstrual cycle
Abnormal discharge is a sign of vaginal infection
Diet plays an important role in vaginal health
What's Normal Discharge?
The fluids made by vaginal and cervical glands help to keep the vagina clean by "flushing out" dead cells & bacteria inside the vagina: a natural cleaning mechanism to prevent infections. When aroused, these glands make fluid to lubricate & prepare the vagina for sex
Normal vaginal discharge is usually clear to white in color with no unpleasant or foul odor
The texture of normal discharge ranges from dry & sticky to stretchy & slippery and changes depending on which part of the menstrual cycle you're at
The smell changes based on the foods you eat and your personal hygiene habits
What's Abnormal Discharge?
Changes in the color, texture, smell or amount of your usual discharge could be a sign that something is not right. Abnormal discharge is often caused by a disruption of normal vaginal chemistry (including bacteria and fungus composition) inside the vagina. There are several possibilities for this:
Bacterial Vaginosis (BV)
A common bacterial infection of the vagina caused by an imbalance of good & bad bacteria. This results in an increase in strong, foul or fishy smelling discharge that's noticeable after sex. It's not a sexually transmitted infection but your chances of getting it are greater if you douche, have a new or multiple sex partners and don't use condoms.
The vagina is naturally acidic but semen being alkaline raises the vaginal pH which can encourage the growth of certain bacteria
Yeast Infection
A fungal infection of the vagina caused by an overgrowth of yeast that can result in itching, burning and swelling with thick discharge that resembles cottage cheese. Other symptoms can include redness, soreness and pain during sex. Although sex does not directly cause yeast infections, having unprotected sex can increase the risk of developing one.
Causes of yeast infections:
Douching
Taking antibiotics
Having unprotected sex
Improper personal hygiene
Hormonal changes due to pregnancy, menopause or birth control
STDs
Sexually transmitted diseases bring pathogens into the vagina that affect its microflora (a community of good bacteria that protect the health of your reproductive system) and lead to abnormal discharge
Here are some common STDs & their discharge symptoms:
Trichomoniasis
Clear, white, yellow or green discharge with strong or fishy odor
Discharge can be heavy & be accompanied by burning
Chlamydia
Can often be present without discharge
If discharge is present it can be heavier than normal and yellow with a strong odor
Gonorrhea
Thick, green or yellow discharge
Can often be present without discharge
Herpes
Discharge mostly present with sores
Thick & clear, white or cloudy discharge
Discharge can have a fishy odor and sometimes have blood in it
What to do if you notice abnormal discharge
If you notice discharge that seems abnormal or accompanied by other symptoms like itching, burning, pain or sores it is important to contact your doctor or local healthcare clinic as soon as possible. You'll be able to get an accurate diagnosis for what's going on and receive the appropriate treatment
Natural Ways to Keep The Vagina Healthy
Practice Safe Sex
Regularly using condoms during sex will greatly reduce your risk of contracting sexually transmitted vaginal infections
Make Hygiene a Priority
Washing the outer vagina daily with water and a mild soap can help prevent bacterial and yeast buildup in and around the vagina that could potentially lead to odor and abnormal discharge
Use our Yoni Bar 2x a day. It is a gentle, natural cleansing bar that can reduce and prevent itch & odor and promote a healthy & naturally lubricated vagina
Monitor Your Diet
A diet full of sugar can kill off the good bacteria in the vagina making it prone to yeast and bacterial infections
Eating too much processed foods lowers the effectiveness of your immune system and makes you more prone to infections
Drink 64 oz of water a day to flush toxins out of your body
What to consume regularly
Take 2 of our Balanced Womban daily. They contain compounds such as polyphenols & catechins that feed good vaginal bacteria & reduce yeast infections
Eat foods rich in probiotics (such as non-dairy yogurt) to help with vaginal pH, prevent harmful bacteria from overgrowing & reduce recurring BV infections
Eat foods rich in prebiotics (garlic, fruits, vegetables, legumes etc) to promote the growth of healthy gut bacteria that will benefit your vaginal and overall health
Eat dark leafy greens & sweet potatoes to prevent BV. They're rich in vitamin A which in deficit can contribute to negative changes in vaginal tissue
Sources
Canva Images
Fertilily Images
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