How often should you get discharge

[fieldofflowers]

Is discharge supposed to appear like every day? And is it supposed to like change forms alot.. because it can go from like slimy/snotty to like weird chunky or creamy and change colors .. is that normal???

[Latha]

Hello Fieldofflowers!

I see you're concerned about your discharge. As with all things with bodies, discharge works different for different people--some have it more days than others. It can change form throughout your cycle. Around ovulation, it may be clear, sticky, and thin, and it can also become thicker and less clear at other parts of your cycle.

I figure you are asking because discharge can sometimes be a sign that something isn't quite right health-wise. From your description, this sounds like it could be normal discharge... Just to check, could you tell us how long this has been happening, and what colors you've noticed in the discharge? Have you noticed any other symptoms, like pain or irritation?

[fieldofflowers]

Hello Fieldofflowers!

I see you're concerned about your discharge. As with all things with bodies, discharge works different for different people--some have it more days than others. It can change form throughout your cycle. Around ovulation, it may be clear, sticky, and thin, and it can also become thicker and less clear at other parts of your cycle.

I figure you are asking because discharge can sometimes be a sign that something isn't quite right health-wise. From your description, this sounds like it could be normal discharge... Just to check, could you tell us how long this has been happening, and what colors you've noticed in the discharge? Have you noticed any other symptoms, like pain or irritation?

I havent had any pain but it can be itchy and uncomfortable. Its been like reddish brown and white at the same time(the weird creamy sticky ones) or sometimes just white, or clear and snotty like, sometimes its kind of like clumpy and white? Sometimes I get it every day or like every 2 days. I do clean down there so im not sure what the issue might be (I dont clean on the INSIDE, only on the outside. Can that effect something??)

[KierC]

Hey there fieldofflowers!

It sounds like it might be helpful to talk through some of the different ways vaginal discharge can look. We actually have an article on our site that addresses this question very directly: Honorably Discharged: A Guide to Vaginal Secretions.

Going through that article, you’ll see that normal vaginal discharge can range from clear and thin, to white/yellowish and thick or pasty. Reddish brown is also normal, and that usually happens around menstruation. So, the clear/snotty *and* the creamy/sticky discharge sounds normal!

However, itchiness and uncomfortableness with clumpy or chunky discharge can signal an infection. This is something that you’ll want to check out with a doctor when it happens. Is that something you’re able to do?

Cleaning on the outside is exactly what you’re supposed to do, so I wouldn’t worry that the location you’re washing is causing problems. The vagina is self-cleaning, so you really just need to clean the outside part (the vulva). But, it’s important to note that the mucosal parts of the vulva (the wet parts, like the labia minora) shouldn’t be washed with harsh or fragranced soaps, as that can throw off the natural balance of your vaginal flora and cause an infection.

How does that all sound to you? Do you have any more follow-up questions?

[fieldofflowers]

Hey there fieldofflowers!

It sounds like it might be helpful to talk through some of the different ways vaginal discharge can look. We actually have an article on our site that addresses this question very directly: Honorably Discharged: A Guide to Vaginal Secretions.

Going through that article, you’ll see that normal vaginal discharge can range from clear and thin, to white/yellowish and thick or pasty. Reddish brown is also normal, and that usually happens around menstruation. So, the clear/snotty *and* the creamy/sticky discharge sounds normal!

However, itchiness and uncomfortableness with clumpy or chunky discharge can signal an infection. This is something that you’ll want to check out with a doctor when it happens. Is that something you’re able to do?

Cleaning on the outside is exactly what you’re supposed to do, so I wouldn’t worry that the location you’re washing is causing problems. The vagina is self-cleaning, so you really just need to clean the outside part (the vulva). But, it’s important to note that the mucosal parts of the vulva (the wet parts, like the labia minora) shouldn’t be washed with harsh or fragranced soaps, as that can throw off the natural balance of your vaginal flora and cause an infection.

How does that all sound to you? Do you have any more follow-up questions?

I recently started cleaning down there with eos vanilla cashmere body wash.. it says its ph balanced and safe for the entire bikini area and never burns. Could that effect anything?

[Heather]

Generally, if a wash is scented, it's probably not great for your genitals. This rarely stops companies from marketing their products as safe, alas, because: capitalism.

Honestly, the vulva doesn't even need a soap to clean it, just warm or hot water will usually do just fine. So, if you are feeling itchy in and around your vulva, and are using a scented wash, I would stop, and switch to either just water, or something unscented and gentle.

But: if you are having clumpy, white discharge, that can be a sign of a yeast infection, so if you are not up to date with your reproductive healthcare when it comes to this, or have never had any, it would be a good idea to check in with a reproductive healthcare provider about this, or your general doctor, if you're comfortable getting a genital exam with them.