* Reader Discretion is advised: This blog has references to graphic images and language*
Is it supposed to smell like that? Why is it that color? These are some of the questions many girls ask themselves when it comes to their vagina and its discharge. Personally, when I reached puberty, I had so many questions about the changes my body was going through that I obviously sought help from the internet. The answers I got, on the other hand, only brought me more confusion, and sometime, absolute terror. However, it is no secret that we live in a world that still hasn’t normalized the biological processes that women go through. Take for example the public outcry from showing red period blood in menstrual pad adverts, even though it is obviously fake. Evidently, we are a long way from have public discourses about sexual health, let alone sexual pleasure. I wrote this blog post to answer the many questions surrounding both those topics, starting with the basics of vaginal health!
Vaginal discharge is an essential method of keeping the female reproductive system clean; it does this by carrying away any dead bacteria and cells (1). However, at some point we have all pulled our underwear down only to witness an unfamiliar color. The first thing we need to understand is that there are many factors that can affect the color of your vaginal discharge -- some manageable, and some uncontrollable. Most of the time, the color is dependent on your menstrual cycle; for example, there can be more discharge if you are ovulating or breastfeeding. However, discharge is also a way that your body can communicate with you.What comes out often reflects what is happening on the inside.
The chart above has some of the vaginal discharge colors that you might experience, but this also isn’t to say that these are the only colors. Number 1 in the chart portrays what is considered to be “normal” discharge, which is usually a milky white color with no odor. Discharge color numbers 2 to 6 (white, yellow or gray) are usually associated with bacterial vaginosis which is also accompanied by itching and swelling. There are no direct causes of this, but it has been linked to behavioral risk factors, such as douching and having multiple sexual partners or a new partner (4). Discharge colors, 6-8 can be linked to trichomoniasis which has a foul odor and a chunky texture. If you experience any of these colors, it’s highly advised you seek help from a health professional, like your gynecologist or family doctor. Furthermore, any vaginal discharge that has traces of blood could be due to menstruation, an irregular menstrual cycle, or a more serious, underlying problem of which you should consult your gynecologist. You can read more about vaginal discharge on the infographic below.
However, discharge is nothing to worry about! It is the self-cleaning mechanism we mentioned earlier. However, if your discharge is thick (with a cottage cheese-like consistency) and accompanied by itchiness, burning, soreness, or pain during urination then it’s possible that you may have a vaginal yeast infection (2). If this is the case, don’t panic because yeast infections are completely curable! You should consult your gynecologist or use the resources offered by OU health services (attached at the end) to get the proper medication. Vaginal yeast infections are caused by a fungal body called Candida that causes an infection when your Ph balance is disrupted (3). What is this disruption? It can come in many shapes and forms: pregnancy, a weakened immune system, change in diet and/or taking certain antibiotics. If you believe you have these symptoms, a self-diagnosis is effective, but a second opinion from a medical professional is always advisable. Simply put, both bacterial vaginosis and yeast infections are completely curable with medication and arise due to an imbalance in your vagina.
How can I avoid a vaginal imbalance? There are several steps you can take in protecting your vaginal health, and the first step is implicating these decisions into your daily routine. Douching, or using scented pads and tampons are all things that can throw off your vaginal balance. On the other hand, using an unscented pad, and always using a water-based lubricant during sex are a few simple ways to protect your vagina’s natural balance, and to keep your vagina healthy and happy!
Vaginal discharge is just one way your body communicates with you, and unfortunately there are uncontrollable outside events, such as stress, that can affect it. But we can control our sexual health! Sexual health and pleasure are heavily connected, more than we may realize!
So…what are good sexual health practices? First, it’s important to identify what you do and do not want from having sex. It’s super important to sit down and reflect on what you want sexually, to have pre-set boundaries on what makes you comfortable when it comes to being intimate in any form, and to have an open communication with your partner(s) in the bedroom.
Secondly, it’s important to talk to your sexual partner about any history of STI’s, or potentially going to get tested together for extra clarity, and transparency. Getting tested together might not always be possible, especially in college if you are trying to just have “casual hookups;” but dishonesty when it comes to sexual histories, or refusing to get tested should be a HUGE RED FLAG. However, be aware of your partner’s body. If they have any sores, rashes, or blisters, it’s probably best to hold off on intercourse until they get tested (5). It goes without saying that you should also check your own body for anything abnormal. A good rule of thumb is to get tested after every new sexual partner; this is the best way to keep yourself and future sexual partners safe! Planning regular visits to your gynecologist is imperative. These visits may include pap smears, or pelvic exams, both of which are helpful. When it comes to health issues associated with sexual intercourse, such as discomfort, it’s best to consult a health professional.
Sexual health is becoming more common in conversations, and there are an increasing amount of resources such as OU Health Services that offer more information. However, we still need to address the looming stigma around women and sexual pleasure! I'm sure you've heard sexist comments implying how sex is simply for women to pleasure men. Those same comments can also contribute to why men who may be sexually promiscuous are held in such a higher regard than women who may also be sexually promiscuous. This is based on the societal stigma that sexual pleasure is for men rather than women, and to that I say– rubbish.
Knowing what feels good and what doesn’t is a journey that each individual should take. How can we do this? Exploring is important when it comes to finding out what you like. This can be in different forms, such as actively speaking to people, doing research, reading, or physically touching yourself.
Sexual Pleasure Tips
Communication- Not only is it important to communicate with your partner when something doesn’t feel good, but it’s equally important to tell them what makes you feel good. The best sex is sex with open and active communication!
Lubricant- Lubricant can be applied before sexual intercourse, but can also be incorporated into foreplay (6). Foreplay is very important because your vagina naturally lubricates when you get aroused. In a situation where there may not be enough vaginal moisture, it is completely normal to use lubricant. This can make sex less painful and more enjoyable. Oil-based lubricants should never be used with condoms, as they disintegrate the latex which causes it to tear and… we wouldn’t want that. They also increase your risk of a bacterial infection. Water-based lubricants are recommended especially in conjunction with condoms. However, some brands like KY Jelly, Sylk, Astroglide, Probe, and Aqualube contain glycerin which is not advised for women who often have vaginal yeast infections, because glycerin encourages yeast growth. However, brands like Liquid Silk and Play do not contain glycerin.
Explore- Do not be afraid to try out new things. However, please make sure that both you and your partner are comfortable, and discuss any plans beforehand.
Kegels- Kegels are vaginal exercises where you tighten and relax your vaginal muscles. The best part is you can do them anywhere! Besides strengthening your pelvic floor, they also relax the vagina which makes sex more comfortable, improves blood flow in your vagina, and can make it easier to reach orgasm (7).
Take your time- Contrary to popular belief, there is absolutely no rush to have sex. If you feel that you are not ready or not yet comfortable, give yourself time, and trust that your body knows best. Sex is a physically and, sometimes, emotionally intimate activity between two consenting people who want to please each other.
Side Note: When searching for more information on online websites, make sure you identify if the page’s author is a health professional (MD) or a certified corporation such as MayoClinc.
You can book gynecological appointments with OU Goddard through this link: https://www.ou.edu/healthservices/appointments or call (405) 325-4441
Works Cited
1. Stephanie Watson. WebMD. [Online] May 28, 2020. https://www.webmd.com/women/guide/vaginal-discharge-whats-abnormal. 2.
2. Monistat. [Online] 2021. https://www.monistat.com/vaginal-health-blog-articles/what-color-your-vaginal-discharge-telling-you. 2.
3. ClevelandClinic. [Online] October 2019. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/5019-yeast-infections. 3.
4. Mayo Clinic. [Online] July 2021. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bacterial-vaginosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20352279. 4.
5. Stanford Children's Health. [Online] 2021. https://www.stanfordchildrens.org/en/topic/default?id=safer-sex-guidelines-for-adolescents-90-P01645. 5.
6. Dennis Thompson MD. Everyday Health . [Online] August 5, 2009. https://www.everydayhealth.com/sexual-health/choosing-personal-lubricant.aspx. 6.
7. Neha Pathak. WebMD. [Online] December 4, 2020. https://www.webmd.com/sex-relationships/ss/slideshow-12-tips-for-better-sex#:~:text=You%20and%20your%20partner%20can,other%20to%20orgasm%20through%20masturbation.. 7.