Discharge, Smell and Staying Fresh: What Is Normal Down There

The questions you were a little shy to ask

Several of you asked, often very quietly, about discharge, about why there can be a smell, and about how to keep clean. First, well done for asking. These are some of the most common questions girls have, and there is absolutely nothing embarrassing about your body. Let us clear it all up together.

What is discharge?

Discharge is a clear or whitish fluid that comes from your vagina. It is your body's natural way of staying clean and healthy, a bit like how your eyes make tears to protect themselves. You may first notice a mark in your underwear, and many girls see this in the year or so before their first period.

Normal discharge is usually:

• Clear or milky white.
• Slightly sticky or slippery.
• Mild in smell, not strong.

It changes a little across the month, sometimes thicker, sometimes more watery. That is your body working exactly as it should.

Why is there a smell?

Every healthy body has its own gentle, natural scent, and that includes the area between your legs. A mild smell is completely normal and does not mean you are dirty. It is just part of being human.

The smell can be a little stronger during your period because blood is present. Changing your pad regularly, about every 4 to 6 hours, keeps things fresh and comfortable.

How to stay fresh and healthy

Caring for this part of your body is simple, and gentle is the key word:

1. Wash the outside area once a day with warm water and, if you like, a mild unscented soap.
2. Always wipe from front to back after using the toilet.
3. Wear cotton underwear, which lets your skin breathe.
4. Change your underwear every day, and your pad regularly on period days.

One important thing: never wash inside your vagina or use scented sprays in there. Your vagina cleans itself on the inside, and strong products can actually upset its natural balance. Outside only, gently, is all you need.

When to check with a grown-up

Tell a trusted adult, and ask to see a doctor or nurse, if you notice:

• Discharge that changes colour, smell or texture and stays changed.
• Discharge that is green, grey, yellow, or looks lumpy like cottage cheese.
• A strong or fishy smell that does not go away.
• A lot more discharge than usual.
• Itching, burning or soreness down there.
• Pain when you pee, or pain low down between your tummy and the tops of your legs.
• Bleeding between your periods.

One more, if you use tampons. If you think one might still be in there, tell an adult today. A tampon cannot get lost inside you, because the vagina ends at the cervix and the opening there is far too small for one to pass through, but one that is left in can cause a strong smell and it needs to come out. A doctor or a clinic can remove it easily.

Most of the time this turns out to be a common infection or irritation, and a doctor can clear it up, usually with a cream or a short course of medicine that they prescribe. It is not something to treat yourself with anything from a shop, and it is not something to sit on and hope it goes away.