Vaginal health not just affects your sex life but your entire being. There are certain factors that affect vaginal health including unprotected sex, health conditions, birth control, feminine hygiene, pregnancy, childbirth, psychological issues and hormone levels. The most important thing is to know what’s normal in your vaginal and what’s not. This list will help you determine these things.
- Abnormal odor and vaginal discharge.
Odor
Normal: Normal vaginal odor is especially noticeable after sex or during menstruation. Body odor can also cause vaginal odor.
Not Normal: A strong vaginal odor, something like “fishy” smell might be an indication of infection or disease including Bacterial Vaginosis, Trichomoniasis, Chlamydia and Gonorrhea.
Vaginal Discharge
Normal: To cleanse itself, the vagina produces discharge which are clear, cloudy white and yellowish (which is caused by dry clothing) in color is normal vaginal discharge.
Not Normal: Discharge that go together with rash, itching and soreness, increasing amount of discharge, “cottage cheese” like discharge, and grey or yellow/white discharge accompanied by foul odor maybe a sign of vaginal infection such as Bacterial Vaginosis, Trichomoniasis and Monilia Infection.
- Vaginal redness and irritation
Normal: Itching and redness with other parts of the body caused by insect bites.
Not normal: Vaginal itching and irritation is never normal. It could be caused by Bacterial Vaginosis, STDs, Yeast Infection, Menopause, Chemical irritants and Lichen Sclerosis. Early treatment of these causes will lessen chances of more complicated conditions and discomfort.
- Bleeding after sex, between periods and after menopause
Normal: If the bleeding is caused by menstrual cycle.
Not Normal: Bleeding is considered abnormal when your menstruation is heavy or lighter than normal, if you are bleeding even though it’s not your expected monthly period, and when you are bleeding during a time of life wherein it’s not supposed to occur (like when you’re still in a very young age, pregnant or already menopause.)
READ ALSO : 5 TIPS FOR WOMEN TO HAVE A HAPPIER AND HEALTHIER MENOPAUSE
Bleeding can unfortunately lead to a more complicated condition such as Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, Birth Control, Intrauterine Device (IUD), Infection and Pelvic Inflammatory Disease.
Proper hygiene, balanced diet and the use of contraceptive (condom) for new couple are the best preventive measure you can ever do to maintain a good vaginal health.
watch the video for more: video credit to Youtube