Vaginal Discharge
Most women don’t openly discuss it. However, excessive discharge, unpleasant odor, itching, vaginal infection, or irritation can cause significant problems. The cause isn’t always harmless. When vaginal complaints persist or keep recurring, it’s time to address the problem thoroughly.
Normal vaginal discharge
The vaginal flora consists mainly of lactobacilli, which are good bacteria that maintain the balance of the vaginal flora. They do this by producing lactic acid, which ensures that the vagina is acidic. The acidity (pH) provides a good balance between the various bacteria and fungi normally present in the vagina. The vaginal acidity provides protection against other bacteria, for example from the intestinal tract, that shouldn’t be there, preventing them from causing an infection.
To maintain this balance, the vaginal acidity (also expressed as pH value) is of great importance. The pH value of the vagina should be between pH 3.8 and pH 4.5 and can be easily measured at home.
The vagina is a self-cleaning organ and sometimes you lose some mucus/fluid, this is called discharge. It is normal for discharge to come out of the vagina, this is your vagina’s way of keeping it clean and healthy. Normal discharge is usually clear or white in color, when it dries (in the underwear) it can look yellow.
Throughout the month, your discharge can change, sometimes being more watery and other times thick and sticky. These changes occur especially during ovulation, due to hormonal changes.
Abnormal Discharge
Abnormal discharge can be recognized by a different texture, color, and odor.
Symptoms of abnormal vaginal discharge usually occur due to one of the following causes:
An infection by bacteria such as:
- Bacterial Vaginosis
- A fungal infection such as Candida.
- Candida, a sexually transmitted infection or STI such as Chlamydia
This last condition will not be discussed further on this website.
What are the characteristics of abnormal discharge due to Bacterial Vaginosis or Candida?
Take the test
Do you have abnormal or foul-smelling discharge? Experiencing itching and pain during sex? Then there’s a high chance you have bacterial vaginosis or a vaginal fungal infection.
