What is normal discharge?

This is an automatically translated article.

The article is professionally consulted with Master, Doctor Le Nhat Nguyen - Doctor of Obstetrics and Gynecology - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology - Vinmec Danang International General Hospital.
Vaginal discharge is an important fluid in the female reproductive organs, responding accurately to sexual and reproductive health. If you observe any abnormal discharge, then examine and determine the cause.

1. What is normal discharge?

Vaginal discharge is a vaginal discharge that usually occurs in the female reproductive organs from puberty until menopause. Vaginal discharge acts as a lubricant, moisturizing, helping to stabilize the genital environment and limit the growth of pathogens and bacteria inside the vagina and cervix. Vaginal discharge also creates a favorable environment for conception, for healthy sperm to easily swim deep into the fallopian tubes to combine with a fertilized egg.
Vaginal discharge is formed from the effect of the hormone estrogen, normal vaginal discharge is a sign that a woman's private area is in good health.
Normal discharge is white like egg white, quite tough, can be threaded, odorless or has a slightly fishy smell. Any woman from puberty to menopause will have vaginal discharge, but the amount of vaginal discharge in each woman is completely different.
Vaginal secretions are affected by the amount of estrogen in the body, so there are changes during the menstrual cycle. Vaginal discharge is more common before ovulation, before menstruation, during pregnancy or when there is a high sexual desire. Therefore, if you see at these times, see more discharge (moderate level) but the nature is still normal, women should not be too worried.

With each age, the amount of vaginal discharge in the genital organs also decreases, for example, in perimenopause and menopause, due to the decrease in estrogen levels, the amount of vaginal discharge will be much less than that of men. previous stages. For this reason, from the time of menopause, women are very susceptible to vaginal dryness.
The daily vaginal discharge is a completely natural process, this is our body's way of protecting itself, keeping the vagina clean and healthy.
Vaginal discharge varies with a woman's menstrual cycle. Changes in the color, volume or timing of discharge will be directly related to ovulation.
In addition, any abnormalities in the amount, color, and smell of vaginal discharge in addition to changes related to the menstrual cycle indicate a problem with gynecological health. Specifically due to an imbalance of healthy bacteria and harmful bacteria in the vagina.

2. Recognize normal discharge

The characteristics that describe normal vaginal discharge or the above physiological vaginal discharge sometimes make it difficult for women to accurately determine whether their vaginal discharge is normal..

2.1 Normal discharge color is clear white

Normal physiological discharge is clear white or slightly white, the color may be slightly ivory white, if dry, it will be pale yellow. If the color of the discharge turns greenish gray or dark yellow, the color of the discharge is no longer normal, be careful.

2.2 Normal vaginal discharge is sticky

Vaginal discharge has the same toughness as egg whites, especially before ovulation, they have the greatest stickiness and can be pulled into fibers. This feature can help determine if it's normal vaginal discharge.

2.3 Normal vaginal discharge, stable output

Depending on the hormone concentration in each person, each person's body, the amount of discharge is different. But the common feature of people with good gynecological health is that the amount of secretion is usually stable through the menstrual cycles, in addition to some special times, the amount of secretion will be more such as: Pregnancy, sexual stimulation, ovulation or hard labor...

2.4 Normal vaginal discharge has a slight odor or is odorless

Depending on the person, location and diet, vaginal discharge has a slight odor, usually a fishy smell or no smell at all. If you find the discharge has a strong odor, do not ignore it.

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