It’s pretty routine to blow a loogie (a liberal amount of mucus) from your nose when you have a cold. It’s an entirely different experience to go to the bathroom and notice the same sticky consistency coming from your vagina, but there’s no need to panic. Vaginal discharge is normal, but it can take you by surprise when it shows up for the first time. 

That said, internal factors such as estrogen levels or ovulation can change the colour or consistency of vaginal discharge. While a clear colour (or slightly white tint) is standard, a change to a brown or yellow tint can indicate a change in your health condition—as would the appearance of an unpleasant odour.

Clear or White Signals Mean a Healthy Dose of Self-Cleaning

Your cervix, vagina, and uterus all work together to produce vaginal discharge. This fluid has three primary purposes:

• Cleansing
• Lubricating
• Keeping healthy bacteria under control
  
  

Normal vaginal discharge is often clear (or very light white). This is because the fluid predominantly comprises of cervical mucus, dead cells, and bacteria. 

The consistency can be gel-like or slimy (like mucus). It typically has a mild smell, too, but not an unpleasant one. 

And while you can wash the outside of your sex organ (the vulva) with soap and water, you should not do the same with your internal sex organ (the vagina). Vaginal fluid is what your body uses to keep itself clean. 

The vaginal discharge you notice from time to time is fluid exiting the body; having done its job. Think of it like spring cleaning.

That being said, a few completely normal but quite noticeable changes occur when you become sexually active. For example, when you experience sexual arousal, the volume of vaginal discharge being released increases. It will also take on a more watery appearance. The reason for this is the tightening of your blood vessels. 

However, this does come with the benefit of lubrication. 

Basically, if you and your partner engage in sexual activity, it’s not uncommon for your secretions to become thicker and milky white.

If you’re having a ‘dry day’ where you notice little to no discharge at all (commonly occurring a few days before and directly after your menstrual period), you may want to make use of a personal lubricant which will keep you moisturized without feeling sticky.

At nixit we offer a water-based, all natural lubricant that has been pH matched to your vagina. This extra lubrication can be applied whenever you need it and because it's organic you can simply wash it away with warm water. Don’t worry, it’s compatible with toys and latex/polyisoprene condoms.

During ovulation, normal vaginal discharge will maintain its colour, too, but its consistency may become more sticky (or stretchy).

Did you know? To maintain normal balance in the vagina there must be both good and bad bacteria. 

The helpful bacteria produce acids and oxides that prevent harmful bacteria from overgrowing and causing an infection. What happens if that defence fails? This is when you get an abnormal vaginal discharge. 

A Shift to the Abnormal

Abnormal vaginal discharge differs from the norm in two distinct ways: consistency and smell. If your emissions become white and chunky with almost the same consistency as cottage cheese, it's a sign that something is wrong. 

The most common culprit for this symptom is a yeast infection; though it’s abnormal, it’s not uncommon. It’s the result of overgrowth from one particular bacteria: candidiasis.

How do these overgrowths happen? 

Your reproductive system is a finely tuned machine, but it’s also delicate, and care needs to be taken when introducing stimuli. For example, antibiotic medicine, scented personal care products, and even wearing underwear that’s too tight can create an unfavourable environment causing your natural defence against harmful bacteria to fail. 

The best way to avoid a yeast infection and similar conditions (such as bacterial vaginosis) is to pay special attention to how you care for your body. 

Luckily, doing this is easy. For example, when choosing wellness products, you should look for products made by companies that put the customer first. At nixit, we ensure our personal care products — including our menstrual cup and vulva wash — are free of chemicals and toxins to minimize any disruptions in your natural cycle.

However, even with the best wellness products, disturbances can still come innocently—even from a simple fluctuation in hormones (as can happen before or after your period). 

Bacterial vaginosis is another infection that’s caused by an overgrowth of harmful bacteria—but it’s more related to sexual activity. Unprotected sex and douching (spraying water or other chemicals into your vagina) are just a few habits that can put you at risk. 

Bacterial vaginosis symptoms are similar to yeast infections but can be identified by smell (a strong, almost fishy scent). Other symptoms can include a burning sensation during urination.

You may need to visit your local health center if over-the-counter drugs fail to relieve your symptoms.

Your Menstrual Cycle Can Make You See Red

A menstrual cycle begins with the shedding of your uterine lining, so a few days before your period starts, you may notice a brown tint in your vaginal discharge. This is normal and should be expected from time to time—it’s just old blood.

You may also experience brown vaginal discharge after your period, which is also normal. When that colour changes to pink or the dreaded red, you have cause to get a little more concerned.

Pink, red, or bloody vaginal discharge is considered spotting and can occur for various reasons. Implantation (getting pregnant or fertilized), some brands of birth control pills, and ovulation can all cause light vaginal bleeding, which is not followed by a period.

But remember: abnormal discharge does not always signify an internal problem. So, when should you worry?

If spotting is accompanied by other symptoms (such as pelvic pain, fever, or itchiness), you should visit your healthcare provider. These could signal a more serious health condition including bacterial infection, sexually transmitted infection, or inflammation.

When your period makes an appearance, remember to follow product recommendations. Pads and tampons can last up to 8 hours while menstrual cups can last for up to 12 hours. That being said, menstrual cups can be a challenge to maintain as they need to be thoroughly cleaned before reinsertion.

How can you make this job easier?

You can use water if it’s available, however, this is not always the case when you are on-the-go. That’s why nixit offers easy-to-use, individually wrapped wipes that offer a thorough cleaning without the need for water. Since they are fragrance-free and pH friendly, you can also use them to clean and freshen your vulva as you would a personal wipe. 

If You See Yellow or Green Find an MD

When you have the flu, your mucus can sometimes turn yellow or green, which usually signifies an infection. It means the bacteria in that particular system are enough to trigger an immune response.

Things are no different when it comes to your cervical mucus. You should take abnormal discharge seriously.

Always seek the help of a medical professional if you notice a yellow or green tint in your vaginal discharge (especially when accompanied by pain, itchiness, or a foul odour), as it can be any of the following.

• Yeast Infection
• Vaginosis
• Sexually Transmitted Disease 

You can also use over-the-counter drugs to treat any of these conditions.

Your Vagina and You

Everyone's body is different and vaginal discharge can travel through the lines of normal and abnormal multiple times during your monthly cycle.

An abnormal discharge does not always indicate an unhealthy condition, but paying attention to your symptoms, such as pain and irritation, can help you decide when to keep calm and when to worry.

If you have a sexual partner or use personal care products such as menstrual cups or wipes, pay attention to your vaginal symptoms and how your body responds. 

If your vaginal discharge changes and you feel you may have a vaginal infection, don’t hesitate to visit the drug store or your local physician. 

Finally, if you want to learn more about vaginal wellness and nixit, check out our blog pages.