The vagina cleans itself naturally by making mucous. The mucous washes away blood, semen, and vaginal discharge”.
Vaginas are self-cleaning. They produce liquids that help flush out bacteria and stray cells. This secretion is vaginal discharge. Your vaginal discharge can change in consistency, color, and even odor throughout the month.
It can range from white discharge to more clear, mucusy discharge around ovulation. Your discharge may change if you are on hormonal birth control. The white discharge is just shedding of the superficial cells of the vagina (remember, self-cleaning) and the mucus discharge is from the cervix.
Even the smallest change can throw off a person's PH. So, the healthiest way to clean the vulva (which is the external genital area around the vaginal opening) is gently—this skin is soft and sensitive y'all! — with water and unscented soap; or even just plain water. The vagina (the internal part) is self-cleaning.
Washing. Maintaining a clean vagina means regular, gentle bathing on the outside (remember, not inside!) of the vagina. Water is the best cleanser – possibly with a mild soap – but less is always more in this case. Your vagina does not need to smell like flowers.
Oral sex. As with other forms of sexual activity, people should wash their genitals with mild, unscented soap after receiving oral sex. Those who performed the oral sex may also choose to wash their face, mouth, and teeth afterward.
Soaking in warm water causes our body temperature to increase and blood vessels to dilate. This improves circulation, pumping more nutrients and oxygen throughout our bodies while displacing toxins in areas of weaker flow.
Many women become concerned that other people can detect the odor around their vulva and vagina. In reality, women are most sensitive to their own odor, and it's very unlikely that others who don't have intimate contact with them can smell it.
Vaginal odor can be caused by diet, sweating, menstruation, or pregnancy. It can sometimes also be caused by infections like bacterial vaginosis or trichomoniasis.
Bathe or shower daily and pat your genital area dry. Don't douche. Avoid feminine hygiene sprays, colored or perfumed toilet paper, deodorant pads or tampons, and bubble bath.
Discharge is clear or white-ish in colour, and has a slight odour but nothing nasty. It can appear throughout your cycle. Arousal fluid has more of a slippery texture and is present only when you're sexually aroused or having sex.
Color and consistency
Clear and watery discharge is normal vaginal discharge. You might notice a bit more clear, watery discharge after exercising. If your discharge is clear and stretchy like egg whites, it may be a sign that you're about to ovulate.
In particular, vaginal discharge from fungal infections (yeast infection or vaginal candidiasis) is odorless, but usually exhibits in larger amounts, is thick, is white, has a cottage cheese appearance or will look like crusted milk in a woman's underwear, and is accompanied by symptoms of itching.
So, how often do you need to do it? Stick to cleaning once a day. If you wash any less, you might not be getting rid of the buildup of sweat and secretions; if you do it any more than once a day, you could be disrupting the delicate balance of your vaginal area.
Excess vaginal discharge can occur due to arousal, ovulation, or infections. Normal vaginal discharge contains a mixture of cervical mucus, vaginal fluid, dead cells, and bacteria. Females may experience heavy vaginal discharge from arousal or during ovulation.
Poor feminine hygiene can lead to many issues such as fungal infections, reproductive issues, and urinary tract infections. These medical problems won't only affect you physically but can also affect your emotional and mental well-being.
A strong fishy smell that won't go away is worth seeing a health care provider about. Fishy smells are associated with a type of vaginitis called bacterial vaginosis. Health care providers can prescribe medications to treat it.
Common causes of a fishy odour include poor hygiene, gingivitis, bacterial vaginosis and urinary tract infections.
Olfactory reference syndrome (ORS), also known as olfactory reference disorder, is an underrecognized and often severe condition that has similarities to obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and body dysmorphic disorder (BDD). People with ORS think they smell bad, but in reality they don't.
It turns out this DIY method is actually not an effective treatment for that internal burning or itching. In fact, it can actually harm your lady garden. And that's why Dr. Jen Gunter, OBGYN and author of The Vagina Bible, wrote a (now viral) thread of tweets to end the cycle of fake vajayjay news.
Drinking hot water is especially good at detecting and flushing toxins from your body for a practical, all-round detox session. The hot water activates our hypothalamus by raising our body temperature, which acts as a heat regulator. This process helps us sweat, release toxins, and naturally cleanse our bodies.
A yeast infection can happen if your skin gets damaged. Yeast can also “overgrow” in warm or humid conditions. An infection can also happen if you have a weak immune system. Taking antibiotics can also cause an overgrowth of yeast.
Clear and stretchy — This is “fertile” mucous and means you're ovulating. Clear and watery — This occurs at different times of your cycle and can be particularly heavy after exercising. Yellow or green — May indicate an infection, especially if it's thick or clumpy like cottage cheese or has a foul odor.