Here's Why You Must Not Ignore Vaginal Discharge
It's finally time to understand why you must not ignore your vaginal discharge. Like us women, our vagina is self-empowered to take care of itself without any external help.
However, our lack of knowledge regarding our vagina and its healthcare needs lead to creating an inhospitable environment, through our personal lifestyle choices.
Every woman has a vaginal discharge and it’s not abnormal, but it does need timely monitoring. The vaginal discharge is what cleanses and protects the vagina.
Nature, quality and amount of the vaginal discharge changes throughout the menstrual cycle and different life stages, indicating different phases of the menstrual cycle or the presence of any health anomaly.
That's why it is very important that you must not ignore your changing vaginal discharge. If you consistently monitor your vaginal discharge, you will be easily able to detect any abnormal changes and take timely action.
Types of vaginal discharge/fluids
Is the vaginal discharge of the same type? How is it released and, where and why it is released? These are a few questions whose answers we will explore in this article, which I feel as a woman you must know in order to take better control of your health.
Vaginal Fluids are what keeps our vagina clean and healthy. Their consistency, colour and smell are all vital indicators of our vagina’s health condition. The vaginal fluids, i.e – the vaginal discharge, arousal fluid, and cervical mucus are all produced inside the vagina and cervix, so there remains a common misunderstanding, because of lack of proper knowledge that these three fluids are the same. Which makes it even more confusing for women to differentiate between normal and abnormal vaginal discharge/fluids.
Vaginal fluids vary in their identifying factor and roles. In order to understand the difference between these three, it is important to understand their roles and functions separately
Vaginal discharge
Vaginal discharge is not a bad sign, in fact, vaginal discharge is a normal and healthy occurrence for women. The glands inside the vagina and cervix produce these fluids.
The natural secretions inside the vagina keeps it naturally clean. The myth that one of the signs of sexually transmitted infections is copious clear or white discharge is wrong. In fact, vaginal discharge is associated with hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy & breastfeeding.
Apart from monthly menstruation, it’s normal to produce clear or white secretion (discharge) from the vagina. Normal vaginal discharge can appear clear to milky white.
Essential functions of vaginal discharge
- It removes dead cells and bacteria.
- Keeps the vagina clean and free of infections.
- Provides lubrication and keeps the vaginal mucous membrane moist and reduces friction during sexual intercourse. .
Did you know: A healthy woman’s body produces an average of 2-5 millilitre of discharge within a 24 hour period. This is about a teaspoon of fluid. And some women experience more vaginal discharge than others.
It is important to note that the character (color and odor) and amount of vaginal discharge vary in accordance with different stages of the menstrual cycle. The presence of good bacteria inside the vagina performs the following functions:
- Act as a “numerical dominance” i.e they help in outnumbering other potential bacteria that might enter the vagina.
- Helps in maintaining the pH balance i.e helps in regulating how acidic the vagina is. The bacteria called lactobacilli helps in keeping the vagina’s pH balance at a normal level (less than pH 4.5).
- Produce bacteriocins (naturally occurring bacteria) to prevent other bacteria from entering the vagina.
It is important to maintain the balance of bacteria because imbalance can lead to infection and inflammation. Increased vaginal pH makes it less acidic. In the case of a reduction in quality or amount of lactobacilli, the other harmful bacteria can multiply.
Normal vaginal discharge plays an important function and is healthy, but in case of a sudden change in the colour, smell or consistency and vaginal itching or burning then it can be an indication of abnormal vaginal discharge.
Abnormal vaginal discharge
Abnormal vaginal discharge is a fluid with-
- Unusual odor
- Changed appearance (yellowish, green, or pus like discharge)
- The discharge associated with pain or itching
Abnormal vaginal discharge is usually associated with multiple other symptoms like urinary discomforts, pelvic or lower abdomen pain, fever and chills.
Bacteria and yeast cause abnormal vaginal discharge. Some common vaginal infections that cause abnormal vaginal discharge are-
Reminder: It may be a sign of an infection or a disease. If you’re noticing any abnormal vaginal discharge, act on it now by taking a free symptom assessment for vaginal discharge.
Arousal fluid
It is a fluid created within the vagina as part of the human sexual cycle response. “Getting wet” or arousal fluid is a normal physiological reaction to prepare women for sex. Sexual arousal is a combination of both psychological and physiological response.
Although arousal fluid looks alike and feels very similar like a cervical fluid it is important to note that arousal fluid usually dries up and disappears within an hour or so.
Female arousal fluid occurs in response to body sensing sexual desire or attraction. Let’s understand this arousal process-
Excitement phase or stage 1
The excitement phase is the starting point of female physical sexual arousal. Women experience an increased flow of blood to the genitalia including the vaginal walls. The increased blood flow and pressure cause fluid to pass through them. This is the main source of lubrication because of which the vagina gets wet. Tissues get wet and it also provides lubrication, so it can be regarded as the first stage of arousal.
Plateau phase
The second stage of this process can be termed as a plateau. In this phase, there is a peak in blood flow to the genitals, and the lower third of the vagina swells and becomes firm. It is termed as an orgasmic platform. Due to this arousal fluid production increases, the clitoris pushes back toward the pelvic bone, and the body prepares for orgasm. At this point to achieve an orgasm constant stimulation becomes necessary.
Climax phase
The third phase of arousal is an orgasm. An orgasm can be described as an intense release of sexual heightening from the previous stages. This is a part that brings pleasure and it completes the cycle with rhythmic contractions of the genital muscles and increased arousal discharge.
Certain things that contribute to making the secretion of arousal fluid easier or difficult-
- Imbalance of estrogen throughout the menstrual cycle,
- Mental state
- Foreplay (or lack of it)
- Consumption of certain medications such as hormonal birth control
- Lower estrogen production at the ending and beginning of the menstrual cycle which can make the vagina dry, so it can be frustrating to not experience arousal fluid
Cervical mucus
Cervical mucus is a clear liquid or gel-like fluid released by the cervix into the vagina. Estrogen and progesterone regulate the cervical fluid and this fluid provides nourishment to sperm cells, protecting them as they travel through the vagina and cervix to fertilize an egg.
The amount, texture, and appearance of cervical mucus change throughout the menstrual cycle because of hormonal shifts. Cervical mucus can be cloudy or white, slippery or sticky. Generally, the production of the cervical fluid increases as women approach ovulation.
Essential functions of cervical mucus
- Protect and nourish the sperm as they travel through the female reproductive system until they reach a final destination. It is nutrient-rich and contains swimming channels that allow for sperm penetration.
- The cervical fluid has an interesting ability to “filter out” bacteria and “abnormal sperm forms”.
- It helps in keeping the vagina lubricated and free from infections.
Cervical mucus changes throughout the menstrual cycle to support the possibility of conception. It is important to be aware of what cervical mucus looks like during the different stages of the menstrual cycle.
Post- period stage
During this stage, there will be the least amount of cervical mucus secretion. It is regarded as a baseline amount that is almost “dry”.The amount of cervical mucus secretion increases after several days of the ending of the last menstruation. Cervical fluid appears slightly red, yellow or white in color just after the starting of menstruation. It might also look cloudy and is also somewhat sticky to the touch.
Ovulation stage
Cervical mucus appears egg white during this stage. This is a type of cervical mucus produced by the cervix just before starting ovulation. As the estrogen level remains at peak during this stage, so it causes the cervix to increase the secretion of the amount of mucus. This can be termed as ” fertile quality ” mucus. When women experience fertile quality mucus, this is also the most fertile day of the menstrual cycle.
After ovulation stage
At this point in the menstrual cycle, the quantity of mucus declines and it again becomes thick cervical mucus, So, it is important to learn about these changes that cervical fluid goes through.
Cervical mucus is a type of vaginal discharge. Since it is produced by the cervix, travels through the vaginal canal and exits through the vagina.
Vaginal fluids are as natural as saliva in our mouth and should not be seen as a health issue unless and until, it’s colour is anything other than clear white discharge and it is accompanied by bad smell, itching and soreness inside or around your vagina
With this detailed information about vaginal discharge, cervical fluid, and arousal fluid, I hope I was able to shed some light that even though vaginal fluids look similar, they are quite different and each performs certain essential functions.
But it is equally important to monitor the nature of your vaginal fluids because in some cases such fluids or discharges can indicate vaginal problems.
Health tip: For the general well being of your vaginal health focus on keeping yourself hydrated and eating dark, leafy greens like kale, spinach, collards, which are extremely rich in vitamins A and C, and are great for promoting blood circulation and fighting off infections. Greens can help reduce itching and burning sensations in the vagina, and prevent any dryness.
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