14 December 2023
It’s often tricky to understand whether the vaginal discharge you see on the panties or toilet paper is normal or a sign of an infection. Vaginal discharge can show daily, or intermittently or just a few days every month.
A scanty amount of transparent daily discharge can be normal, as well as a heavier transparent sticky discharge appearing around 10 to 20 days after the start of your period. Normal vaginal discharge is there to protect and lubricate the vagina, and has a natural cleansing effect as it flushes out germs and dead cells.
Vaginal douching with water or other liquid products is not safe and, although it may give an initial refreshing feeling, it actually upsets the natural balance of bacteria in the vagina, significantly increases the chance of getting a pelvic infection, can decrease the chances of getting pregnant.
If you have been feeling the urge of douching due to vaginal discharge or symptoms, it is best to check with your GP or Gynaecologist if these are actually a sign of an infection. Abnormal discharge can appear thick or liquid and have an odour to it or have no smell at all. The colour you may notice can go from transparent to white, yellow, grayish, taupe, brown or even black. Sometimes it can be slightly or visibly stained with blood. These should all be reasons to have a full 7STI (seven Sexually-Transmitted Infections) test, which you can easily and discreetly do through online STI testing providers and which will test comprehensively for frequently found troublesome bacteria Ureaplasma, Mycoplasma, Gardnerella, Trichomonas as well as Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea.
If you have taken any antibiotics recently, make sure you plan your STI screening at least one month away from the last antibiotic you’ve taken. Pelvic pain, or any type of bleeding outside of the period, or burning/pain when you urinate are also all important reasons to see your GP or Gynaecologist to have further tests done, as these symptoms should always be checked in order to protect your health and fertility.