Discharge 101: What your discharge says about the health of your Kitty
If you have a vagina, I'm willing to bet at some point in your life you've wondered if your discharge is normal. I totally get it, the vagina is a mystery in itself and the lack of in-depth education amplifies the mysticism. Luckily your discharge is a useful indicator of the health of your vagina. Different colors, textures and odors can signify normal stages of your cycle to major health issues, such as STIs or common infections.
Before we get into the different types of discharge we should quickly go over the basics.
First and foremost, discharge is a byproduct of vaginal self-cleansing. The glands inside the vagina produce and secrete a fluid (aka discharge) that flushes out bacteria and dead skin cells, preventing infections. Yay, discharge!
Second, it's important to know that vaginal discharge is a normal, sometimes even frequent occurrence. It's also normal for the consistency and texture to change throughout your menstrual cycle.
Wet discharge is normally clear or varies in shades of white. When it dries, the liquid evaporates leaving a white or slightly yellowish solid-like crust. It's either odorless or has a slightly salty odor, and is not accompanied by itching or burning.
TYPES OF DISCHARGE:
Today we're breaking down the 6 different types of discharge you may encounter.
Clear and Stretchy
A few days before you ovulate, you may notice that your discharge is clear, slippery and has an elastic-like consistency (think egg whites). This type of discharge makes it easier for sperm to swim up the vagina to the Fallopian tubes. It's nature's way of improving your chances of getting pregnant.
Fun fact: This is when you're most fertile. So if you're not trying to get pregnant, make sure to wrap it up or skip intercourse all together.
White and Creamy
There's this misconception floating around that thick white discharge is a sign that there's something wrong. However, that's incorrect. At the beginning and end of your menstrual cycle, your discharge will be this consistency. Once again, it's normal for texture and color to change as long as there isn't any irritation, itching or noticeable odor.
Pink or Brown
A slightly pink hue is common right before or after your period, as you're just about to start bleeding or you're finishing up your cycle. Brown discharge, if it comes immediately after your period, is normal. The last bits of your uterine lining are being shed, usually this is the oldest blood which is the cause for the brown color.
If you're experiencing pink or brown discharge in the middle of your cycle, not at the beginning or end, you should consult a doctor. It's always best to make sure all is well down there.
Thick, White, and Lumpy
If you're discharge is thick, white and lumpy (think cottage cheese). Accompanied by irritation, itching and burning, it's probably due to a yeast infection. Fortunately, we do sell a product *cough* Kitty Kapsules *cough*, that works fast to treat and cure yeast infections.
A yeast infection is a natural occurrence that 75% of women will deal with at least once in their lifetime.
Greenish-Gray, Frothy and Fishy
Greenish-gray color? Frothy texture? Noticeable fishy odor? You likely have bacterial vaginosis (aka BV), another common albeit uncomfortable infection. Bacterial vaginosis is not an STI but an imbalance of the normal flora (microorganisms) found in the vagina. Even women who have never had intercourse have experienced bacterial vaginosis, so don't feel ashamed. I'll emphasis once again, it's normal.
Luckily, like yeast infections, bacterial vaginosis is easily treated and cured with Kitty Kapsules ;).
Yellow or Green
Last and certainly the least ideal, is yellow and/or green discharge. Discharge this color is a sign of an STI, trichomoniasis or gonorrhea. Both STIs require medical treatment prescribed by a physician. This type of discharge can also be associated with chlamydia but in most cases, it has no symptoms at all.
If you're experiencing this type of discharge, you should seek out a physician ASAP.
--
Alright my kittens, we've reached the end of this blog. Now that you know the difference between each type of discharge, make sure to pay attention for any abnormal changes.
Until next time!
Elise Marie
If you have a vagina, I'm willing to bet at some point in your life you've wondered if your discharge is normal. I totally get it, the vagina is a mystery in itself and the lack of in-depth education amplifies the mysticism. Luckily your discharge is a useful indicator of the health of your vagina. Different colors, textures and odors can signify normal stages of your cycle to major health issues, such as STIs or common infections.
Before we get into the different types of discharge we should quickly go over the basics.
First and foremost, discharge is a byproduct of vaginal self-cleansing. The glands inside the vagina produce and secrete a fluid (aka discharge) that flushes out bacteria and dead skin cells, preventing infections. Yay, discharge!
Second, it's important to know that vaginal discharge is a normal, sometimes even frequent occurrence. It's also normal for the consistency and texture to change throughout your menstrual cycle.
Wet discharge is normally clear or varies in shades of white. When it dries, the liquid evaporates leaving a white or slightly yellowish solid-like crust. It's either odorless or has a slightly salty odor, and is not accompanied by itching or burning.
TYPES OF DISCHARGE:
Today we're breaking down the 6 different types of discharge you may encounter.
Clear and Stretchy
A few days before you ovulate, you may notice that your discharge is clear, slippery and has an elastic-like consistency (think egg whites). This type of discharge makes it easier for sperm to swim up the vagina to the Fallopian tubes. It's nature's way of improving your chances of getting pregnant.
Fun fact: This is when you're most fertile. So if you're not trying to get pregnant, make sure to wrap it up or skip intercourse all together.
White and Creamy
There's this misconception floating around that thick white discharge is a sign that there's something wrong. However, that's incorrect. At the beginning and end of your menstrual cycle, your discharge will be this consistency. Once again, it's normal for texture and color to change as long as there isn't any irritation, itching or noticeable odor.
Pink or Brown
A slightly pink hue is common right before or after your period, as you're just about to start bleeding or you're finishing up your cycle. Brown discharge, if it comes immediately after your period, is normal. The last bits of your uterine lining are being shed, usually this is the oldest blood which is the cause for the brown color.
If you're experiencing pink or brown discharge in the middle of your cycle, not at the beginning or end, you should consult a doctor. It's always best to make sure all is well down there.
Thick, White, and Lumpy
If you're discharge is thick, white and lumpy (think cottage cheese). Accompanied by irritation, itching and burning, it's probably due to a yeast infection. Fortunately, we do sell a product *cough* Kitty Kapsules *cough*, that works fast to treat and cure yeast infections.
A yeast infection is a natural occurrence that 75% of women will deal with at least once in their lifetime.
Greenish-Gray, Frothy and Fishy
Greenish-gray color? Frothy texture? Noticeable fishy odor? You likely have bacterial vaginosis (aka BV), another common albeit uncomfortable infection. Bacterial vaginosis is not an STI but an imbalance of the normal flora (microorganisms) found in the vagina. Even women who have never had intercourse have experienced bacterial vaginosis, so don't feel ashamed. I'll emphasis once again, it's normal.
Luckily, like yeast infections, bacterial vaginosis is easily treated and cured with Kitty Kapsules ;).
Yellow or Green
Last and certainly the least ideal, is yellow and/or green discharge. Discharge this color is a sign of an STI, trichomoniasis or gonorrhea. Both STIs require medical treatment prescribed by a physician. This type of discharge can also be associated with chlamydia but in most cases, it has no symptoms at all.
If you're experiencing this type of discharge, you should seek out a physician ASAP.
--
Alright my kittens, we've reached the end of this blog. Now that you know the difference between each type of discharge, make sure to pay attention for any abnormal changes.
Until next time!
Elise Marie