Is Discharge Normal?

Vaginal discharge is something that all women experience. However, there seems to be the idea that experiencing vaginal discharge every day is not normal - and this has a lot of young women feeling like they are not normal. But here is the truth about vaginal discharge Choma.

Is it normal?

The short answer is yes. Vaginal discharge is absolutely normal Choma and it is normal for you to experience it every day. In fact, if you don’t experience vaginal discharge then it could actually mean that you might need medical attention. The reason for this is that vaginal discharge is a sign of your vagina cleaning itself. The vagina is a self-cleaning organ so discharge is your vagina’s way of staying clean and healthy. That’s why you’re often advised to just use water and a wash cloth to clean your vagina - because it’s already doing all the work for you. So when you think about it, discharge is a good thing.

When is it not normal?

There can be times when vaginal discharge might not be normal and can be a sign of an unhealthy or infected vagina.

Signs that your discharge is not healthy are:

• if your discharge is smelly (has a fishy odor)
• if your discharge is green, yellow or grey
• if it’s foamy or clumpy like cottage cheese

These symptoms could mean that you have a yeast infection or even a Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI). But, before you diagnose yourself Choma, make sure that you see a healthcare practitioner if you have any of the above symptoms. Your healthcare practitioner will let you know what the problem is and give you the necessary medication and guidance to treat it.

Vaginal discharge is absolutely normal and nothing to be ashamed of - it’s just your body taking care of itself. However, when discharge starts to smell bad or look strange (other than the usual discharge you get) then it’s time to see a healthcare practitioner.

For more information on vaginal discharge and vaginal health, read this article: Vaginal Health: What’s normal and what's not?

Remember, if you or a friend need advice or help, you can contact me here on Ask Choma, send me a Facebook Message, a Twitter DM, or a WhatsApp Message (071 172 3657).