How to prevent vaginal discharge
Vaginal discharges are normal. The glands inside your vagina and your cervix make small amounts of fluid. This fluid comes out of the vagina every day, removing old cells that have lined the vagina. It’s the way your body keeps your vagina healthy and clean.
1)Normal
Colour: The discharge is usually clear or milky.
Smell: Does not smell bad.
Quantity: depends on the person which varies from one person to another.
Variation of white losses: The colour and thickness of the white losses change with your monthly cycle. The white loss is thicker when one of your ovaries releases an egg (ovulation), when you are breastfeeding or when you are sexually excited.
2)Abnormal
Changes that may signal a problem include an increase in the amount of the loss, a change in colour or odour.
Colour: Greyish White, Rust, Green, Yellow, Brown but also white blood stained losses when you are not your period.
Odour: unpleasant odour, fishy smell, etc.
Quantity: Very abundant in periods outside pregnancy, ovulation or breastfeeding.
Other symptoms: irritation, itching or burning in or around your vagina. If you have any of these signs, you should talk to your doctor.
Prevention
- Toilet: After using the toilet, always wipe back and forth. This can help prevent bacteria from your rectal area in your vagina.
- Underwear: Wear cotton underwear during the day and change your underwear 2-3 times a day. Cotton allows your genital area to “breathe”. Do not wear underwear at night.
- Tight pants: Avoid wearing tight pants, tights, swimsuits for long periods.
- Change your laundry or fabric softener if you think it could irritate your genital area.
- Condoms: Latex in condoms and diaphragms and sperm gels that are used for birth control can be irritating to some women. If you think any of these things are a problem for you, talk to your doctor about other types of contraceptives.
- Shower: Avoid hot tubs. Bath or shower daily and pat your genital area dry.
- Vaginal friction: avoid douching with irritating products.
- Avoid feminine hygiene sprays, coloured or scented toilet paper, deodorant pads or tampons and bubble bath.
