Is it normal for me to have discharge every single day?? Sometimes I think its my period but when I check, its just a discharge.

Generally speaking, the average person produces discharge almost daily. Texture may range from thin to thick and slippery to creamy. The color can also vary but the discharge should be relatively odorless.

▪️ Vaginal discharge refers to a clear or whitish fluid that comes out of the vagina, a very normal process. However, if it changes in the consistency, smell or color, it may indicate an infection or another problem.

▪️ The discharge is majorly made up of cells and bacteria which are produced from the uterus, cervix, and vagina. The discharge helps to naturally clean, moisten, and lubricate the vagina. It also helps to fight all the bad bacteria that may bring infections.

💡 Normally, the vagina has good bacteria, commonly known as normal vaginal flora, that live inside it. The most common type is the Lactobacillus species. Since they produce lactic acid, they keep the vagina healthy because the acidic pH maintained inhibits the growth of yeast and brooding of bad harmful bacteria. They maintain the vagina at a pH of 4. These vaginal flora maintain a healthy perfect environment within the vagina.

▪️ However, once the normal flora is disrupted and the good bacteria have been swiped off, the bad bacteria take over and thrive even more hence creating infections.

Moreover it is very okay and normal for the color, texture, and amount of discharge to change at different times of the month within the menstraul cycle. The changes in texture can alert you when ovulation is near, when you're most fertile, and when you have less activities ongoing within.

For example, a normal discharge may possess the following characteristics:

📍 Has a normal mild smell

📍 Has a clear/ milky white/ off- white color

📍 Has a watery and sticky/thick and pasty texture

📍 Proportional amount (not much enough to wet a seat)

The following are red flags that show you may have an infection in your vagina:

📍 A foul/fishy smelling odor

📍 A change in the color of the discharge

📍 A change in texture, amount, and consistency

📍 Itching and pain around the vagina

▪️ As ladies, the menstrual cycle is here with us to stay, monthly😅 . That's why it's quite significant and better to understand what the different types of discharge you'll experience during the different phases.

📍 When you see your discharge has become very thin, stretchy, and mucus-like, that's a sign that you're ovulating!! Some people use this as a natural indicator of fertility and perfect time to try getting pregnant. The sperm can easily swim and make its way through the female tract to the eggs.

📍 When you see your discharge has become thick, white, and sticky, then don't even try getting pregnant 😂. This discharge is an indicator that there's no ovulation and the vagina is not ready to receive any sperms. Hence, this acts as a barrier to prevent sperms from swimming through. In a scientific view, one is ' less fertile ' in this period.

📍 When you see your discharge had become thick and clumpy, then you have an infection, most probably a yeast infection [Do consult a doctor on clear diagnosis]. Sometimes it looks like cheese and looks yellowish. It may follow with pain, Itching, discomfort, odor, and burning sensation which need medical attention.

The following are some other common causes that make vaginal discharge to change:

▪️ Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI's):- Such as Gonorrhoea and Trichomoniasis. These infections make the discharge color and smell to change greatly.

▪️ Bacterial Vaginosis:- This is when there's so much of a certain bacteria in the vagina hence causing damages through infections.

▪️ Use of irritants:- Such as perfumes, scented soaps, douching etc. may alter the pH environment of the vagina and the discharge.

▪️ Pregnancy:- This may alter your discharge by having more production than normal hence protects the mother from infections.

▪️ Unhygienic use of pads and tampons:- By leaving them too long may cause a change in discharge due to infections.

▪️ Menopause:- This is because there's a decreased amount of estrogen hence less processes ongoing and vaginal security by the flora is not promised.

▪️ Unprotected sex with multiple partners:- This may definitely spread infections from one party to another.

▪️ Diabetic patients:- These individuals are prone to infections due to the production of sweet urine' which acts as a breeding place for different sorts of bacteria.

▪️ Some birth control methods:_ Usually change the vaginal environment and discharge because of increased infections.

💡 The vagina is a self cleaning machine but you have to take care of her sis!!!

A healthy discharge indicates the lengths you're taking to ensure you have a 'clean cautious lifestyle'.

Let's keep her clean and healthy always 🥰

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