Discharge discovery
Question
I keep getting what my mum calls 'discharge' in my knickers. What is it? Should it be so smelly and yellow?
Answer
It is normal to have some vaginal discharge, because the vagina stays moist as part of its self-cleansing mechanism. Normal, moist discharge clears dead cells and bacteria from the vagina.
The amount of discharge varies depending on the woman and on the menstrual cycle. The consistency and amount of discharge can vary depending on the time of the month. The colour can also slightly change. Many women notice that in the week following a period there is hardly any discharge.
In regards to a woman's natural discharge, you can't stop it from happening, although some women prefer to wear panty liners to protect their underwear.
You say your discharge is yellow and smells. Normal discharge is generally clear or slightly milky in colour, and should not smell bad, therefore, it's possible you have an infection. This could be a bacterial infection or possibly a sexually transmitted infection (STI). To find out for sure, you can go to your local doctor (GP). Try not to feel embarrassed about visiting your doctor about this, as they will deal with this sort of thing on a regular basis.
Alternatively you could visit a Brook Centre. This service is for young people under 25 years of age. They have clinics around the country or you can give them a call on 0800 0185 023 (weekdays 9am-5pm).
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Question answered by bss
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