Your Vaginal Discharge Is Talking To You. But Are You Listening?

The human vagina is one of nature's most beautiful creations. And if you can believe it, among the most talkative too. Yes, it talks. Only, we're too absorbed in our lives to listen when it tries to make conversation. Remember the white, creamy discharge on your panties that you got frustrated with for ruining your expensive underwear? Or when you were so indifferent to it that you wiped it off with a wad of toilet roll without sparing it another thought? That was your vagina talking to you, waving at you, giving you a thumbs up of how everything inside was A-okay.

Most of us don't spend as much time grooming our vaginas as we do our faces. But the vagina, ever our affable, adaptable companion, doesn't mind. She is empowered, self-sufficient, and strong enough to take care of herself. But every once in a while, when the vagina gives the owner an update on its internal health checklist, we must be sure to listen. One of the surest ways it does that is through vaginal discharge. Every aspect of your discharge - the colour, odour, texture, look - tells a story. A very significant one about your health. So you may want to tune in to listen.

Also Read: Five Amazing Health Benefits of Walnut Oil

What Is Vaginal Discharge?

Vaginal discharge is the transparent-looking sticky fluid that your vagina expels as waste from the inside. It consists of dead cells, bacteria, and other substances that the vagina has no use for. And hence throws out. There is no one limit to the frequency with which it happens: for some, it may happen everyday, and others, on infrequent occasion. Healthline suggests that the discharge may even increase during sexual arousal, emotional stress, or the use of birth control pills.

Dr Tanaya Narendra, a millennial doctor focused on women’s health and sexual wellness, likens this discharge to the dirty mop water left behind after we mop the house. Do we store that dirty cleaning water or discard it down the drain? We throw it. That’s exactly what the vagina does through discharge: gets rid of its mop water.

Also Read: 8 Signs You Are In A Sexless Marriage

What Are The Vaginal Discharge Colours Saying?

There can be different kinds of discharges and for the sake of our health, we must know how to identify their significance. The healthiest discharge will always fall in the colour range of light grey, to colourless, to transparent, or creamy white. Normal vaginal discharge should feel sticky to your fingers, have a transparent or creamy whitish look to it - much like raw egg whites. I know, food and vaginal fluids don't tastefully go hand in hand, but this is really the best comparison there is. When you touch it, you'll know.

In and around your menstruation cycle, your discharge can even have a tinge of red or brown but don’t worry. That is just your vagina spouting out some good old blood. Say, adding a pop of colour to your otherwise transparent discharge.

But when the pops of colour begin getting too erroneous - like something straight out of a crayon set - your vagina may be trying to dial an emergency number. Green, yellow, and sometimes even blue, discharge can be an indication of sexually transmitted infections or STIs like chlamydia or gonorrhoea. Meanwhile, a curd-white or cheese-like discharge that makes you itch uncontrollably may actually be your vagina screaming "fungal infection!!! take me to a doctor!!!" Please do.

Vaginal Discharge And Oral Sex: Is It A Good Idea?

Dealing with your vagina and its fluids in solitude is one thing. Knowing how to react to it with a partner present in bed beside you is a whole other ballgame. What if my vagina releases its white fluids during oral sex? Would my partner be able to continue their lovemaking? Will it be healthy for them? Should I be embarrassed? Should I pack my bags and book a one-way ticket to Siberia where no one will ever find me?

First off, vaginal discharge is nothing to be mortified about. You should know that, and so should your partner. Bodily processes are normal, especially ones that are helping keep you healthy. They mustn't be shunned or stigmatised. That said, one usually also doesn't want their cosy, sexy time to be disrupted with amazement or shock at the fluids. Which is why it becomes important to know about them.

Vaginal discharge during sexual arousal is normal since it helps with lubrication down there.

For the partner, such secretions are usually safe to consume, spit, swallow - basically safe to be near their tongue. But both of you must be receptive to the kind of discharge that is leaving the vagina. If it smells "fishy" or "ammonia-like," or is coloured with any of the tints we previously mentioned, then it would be best not to consume it, since it may possibly transmit STIs, bacterial and fungal infections. Feel free to consult a doctor in such a situation, and ensure maximum hygiene whenever things get steamy.

Watch Dr Tanaya talk about vaginal discharge here: 

Views expressed are the author's own.