Is Your Vaginal Discharge Normal? What is Vaginal Discharge?

Vaginal Discharge

Have you noticed your vaginal discharges turn into a dark or black color recently?  That can be a sign of a gynecological disease! 

By carefully observing the amount, smell, condition, and color of your vaginal discharges, you will know whether you have gynecological problems or not, and immediately take action to combat the problem.  

In this article, we will introduce what vaginal discharge is.

What is Vaginal Discharge?

Vaginal discharge is the colorless, transparent, or whitish viscous fluid that comes out of a woman’s body. It contains a mix of vaginal secretions and cervical mucus. 

Often, vaginal discharge starts after a woman gets her very first menstrual period. And vaginal discharge has several functions. 

It keeps the  vagina clean

Vaginal discharge moistens the vagina, preventing the invasion of bacteria such as Escherichia coli, staphylococci, and Candida fungi. It also has a self-cleaning action that keeps them from growing in the vagina and keeping them clean. The discharge keeps the inside of the vagina weakly acidic.

Some people may think that discharge=bad, but it’s not always like that. It depends on the color, odor, etc.

It helps with fertilization

When the vagina is filled with vaginal discharge, the vaginal discharge acts as a lubricant during sexual activity. The discharge also wraps the sperm and helps to reach the uterus. This increases the probability of fertilization. That is why discharge increases as the ovulation day get closer.

Vagina discharge and the body cycle

Vaginal discharge is also affected by female hormones, just like menstruation. Depending on the cycle, the state, amount, and odor of your vaginal discharge change. Knowing the period and changes of discharge makes it easier to understand your period and ovulation date.

The amount of vaginal discharge before menstruation is high and the smell becomes strong. The color is whitish and viscous. As menstruation ends, the amount of secretion decreases, however, it gradually becomes brownish, sometimes mixed with menstrual blood. The most amount is during the 2-3 days of the ovulation period. It’s thick, transparent, and watery, with little smell.

Discharge changes as we age

Discharge is closely related to female hormone secretion. As the menarche begins, the discharge will be secreted, and in the 20s and 30s, the cycle of vaginal discharge will be the most stable and the amount will increase. This is because female hormone secretion peaks.

In the 30s and 40s, female hormone secretion decreases, and the amount of vaginal discharge decreases. After menopause, there is little female hormone secretion and the amount of vaginal discharge will be significantly reduced.

During pregnancy, the amount of vaginal discharge increases to protect the baby. If you do not have your period, the vaginal discharge will also be an indication of whether you are pregnant or not.

Change of vaginal discharge when menstruation does not come

If you suspect a pregnancy after menstruation doesn’t come, you can use a pregnancy test. But vaginal discharges can also be used to determine pregnancy. Discharge can change color and condition when pregnant. This change is caused by an increase in the number of female hormones, which makes it more yellow and whitish than usual. As for the state, a thick discharge with strong stickiness appears in many cases.  

In the early pregnancy, when you are just pregnant, you may have a wound in the uterus when it is implanted. And discharge may become reddish-brown or brownish because of blood. If your menstruation doesn’t come, check the vaginal discharge as a guide to pregnancy.

Discharge tells you about your body status

Believe or not, the discharge tells you about your body status which you tend to overlook. Some people don’t notice even when they get infected such as STD, however, the discharge tells you that as well. You need to check it closely every day so that you will notice when the discharge changes.

Conclusion

Vaginal discharge plays a very important role in a  woman’s body and it changes day by day, depending on your age. Therefore, you need to pay close attention to your discharges since it tells you about your body condition. 

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