Is it normal for females to discharge

You might see this on the toilet paper when you wipe, or in your underwear. Normal vaginal discharge has several purposes: cleaning and moistening the vagina, and helping to prevent and fight infections. It's normal for the color, texture, and amount of vaginal discharge to change at different times of the month during a girl's menstrual cycle. But some changes in discharge may mean there is a problem.

For some girls, it's normal to have a lot of vaginal discharge. Vaginitis refers to inflammation of the vagina. It can be caused by bacterial vaginosis BV , yeast infections, trichomoniasis, allergies,…. Visit The Symptom Checker. Read More. Abnormal Uterine Bleeding. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. Alcohol Abuse. Home Diseases and Conditions Vaginal Discharge.

Table of Contents. What is vaginal discharge? What changes may be a sign of a problem? Signs of yeast infections White, cottage cheese-like discharge Swelling and pain around the vulva Intense itching Painful sexual intercourse Signs of bacterial vaginosis A white, gray, or yellowish vaginal discharge A fishy odor that is strongest after sex or after washing with soap Itching or burning Slight redness and swelling of the vagina or vulva Signs of trichomoniasis A watery, yellowish, or greenish bubbly discharge An unpleasant odor Pain and itching when urinating Most apparent after your period.

What causes vaginal discharge? Many things can disturb the balance of a healthy vagina, including: Douching Feminine hygiene sprays Certain soaps or bubble baths Antibiotics Diabetes Pregnancy Infections How can douching be harmful? How is vaginal discharge diagnosed? What is a yeast infection?

What is bacterial vaginosis? What is trichomoniasis? What about other infections? Can vaginal discharge be prevented or avoided? After using the toilet, always wipe from front to back. This may help prevent getting bacteria from your rectal area into your vagina.

Wear cotton underpants during the day. Avoid wearing tight pants, pantyhose, swimming suits, biking shorts, or leotards for long periods. Change your laundry detergent or fabric softener if you think it may be irritating your genital area. The latex in condoms and diaphragms and the sperm-killing gels that are used for birth control can be irritating for some women. Some women have discharge every day, while others experience it less frequently.

Normal vaginal discharge is usually clear or milky and may have a subtle scent that is not unpleasant or foul smelling.

These changes in color and thickness are associated with ovulation and are natural. But outside of normal changes associated with your cycle, other changes may not be normal. Your discharge may indicate an imbalance of healthy bacteria in your vagina, which can be a sign that all is not well. So how can you tell when vaginal discharge may be signaling a problem? Changes that may signal a problem include an increase in the amount of discharge, and a change in the color, smell or texture of the discharge.

You may also experience other symptoms with a change in discharge, such as irritation, itchiness or burning in or around your vagina. It can start up to six months before you have your first period.

This is when the body is undergoing many hormonal changes. The type of vaginal discharge your body produces can shift during your menstrual cycle and during your lifetime. You may find it is heavier or lighter at different times. Vaginal discharge is made up of fluids from your uterus, cervix, and vagina. When your body releases an egg from your ovary, you may notice that your vaginal discharge is thicker.

This change in discharge may can indicate peak fertility times. During pregnancy, your body may produce more vaginal discharge than usual. As you age and experience menopause, your body may produce less or no vaginal discharge because the body is no longer ovulating and estrogen levels shift. As a result, women who are in perimenopause, menopause, or postmenopause may experience vaginal dryness. Most of the time, vaginal discharge is not something you should worry about. You should contact your doctor if you notice your vaginal discharge has changed from its typical consistency, color, and smell, or if you have other symptoms in your vaginal area.

Unusual vaginal discharge may be a sign that you have an infection, a sexually transmitted disease STD , or another health condition that could include:.

You may also experience a change in vaginal discharge because of a foreign object in your vagina. This can include pieces of toilet paper.

If a child experiences vaginal discharge before puberty, there may be a possibility that a foreign object is in the vagina. Abnormal discharge may also be a side effect of douching. Douching is cleaning the inside of the vagina with water or other products.