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Embarrassing Bodies, 1:10am Friday 17th February 2012 on Channel 4. Catch up for free on 4oD »

Video

Dr Pixie:
Vaginal discharge is a subject that’s got lots of comments and lots of postings on our site. Some of you wondered, well, what’s normal discharge? Normal discharge tends to be clear or it can be a creamy yellow colour. So if you wondered, should it smell? No, it shouldn’t smell, and if it does, chances are you possibly have an infection.

Now, how heavy should the vaginal discharge be? That is a question a lot of you were worried about. If you have to change your underwear, or if you have to use a panty pad to absorb the discharge, the chances are, that’s too much, and it’s worth seeking advice from your doctor.

Now, there were other worries about the consistency of discharge. The consistency of discharge varies during your menstrual cycle, so sometimes it can be quite thick, other times it can be more liquidy.

People have asked, how do you stop discharge? By and large, if discharge is normal, there is no need to stop it. But, if you’re experiencing a discharge that is bloodstained, smelly, offensive…then absolutely, go and see your doctor, because you could have an infection or some other underlying problem.

Read the video transcript

Doctor Responses: Vaginal Discharge

Dr Pixie answers your most frequently asked questions about vaginal discharge such as: What causes it? What colour is normal? Is it normal to have discharge permanently?

With thanks to the Baker Street Medical Centre

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Comments and Questions

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Please note: Unfortunately Channel 4 cannot respond to individual inquiries. If you have any concerns, you can check out NHS Choices, but ultimately it is always best to check with a health professional.

i need some advice.....im 18 and lost my virginty in august 2011 im still with the same guy about a year ago or so i started to have a discharge most of the time it was yellowish and now its gotten to where it smells like yeast but its not what could it be





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im pretty sure a whiteish clear discharge is normal.As well as yellowish





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Helli iam 16 and i have a slight buring and itchy vaginal discharge, is this normal?





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Hi there. Myself and my husband have been trying for a baby for about 6 months with no joy. Before we were trying I was on the pill (lygonon) from age 18 to 35. My periods are always regular, on time and always for about 4 days and very light. Last month my period was only for 2 days (which was about 5 days early), very light, after the 2 days for approx a week and a half, I was having brown discharge and sometimes it looked like layers and not a mucus. This has now stopped but I am now finding I have an acidy smell from my vagina. During the brown discharge I had one very small blood (period)outbrake. I have taken about 4 pregancy tests and all are negative. The past 5 days I have been experiencing lower adominal pain, it feels like a diarrea feeling which I dont have, plus my bowel movement is not as regular as normal. I dont know if this has anything to do with my issue, but I had a bad itchy rash on both hands (not the palms) and a bit up my arm. This has gone, but today the itchiness is back. Should I be worried and/or should I get checked out? Could this be a problem for conceving? Thank you for help and look forward to reading your reply. From a worried, anxious reader.





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hi i suffer from thrush everytime i have a period either before or after my period, i have been to my g.p, and a local clinic they gave me tablets creams and pessarys they worked until the next month,i am really down with the problem and would like it if u could help me. thanks





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Having severe problems with Vaginal discharge. Find that my vagina becomes itchy, swollen and tears. Sometimes when this happens my discharge is white almost like cottage cheese (YUK!) Had a tablet from the doctor for Thrush as thought it was that. But it came back about 3 weeks later - worried it might be something else - also had a severe Kidney infection that left me in hospital a few weeks ago (with Swollen Kidney too) could it be related????





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Ive had a discharge for 11 years now since I startd puberty its a pale white colour sumtimes smely and a bit sticky I have used thrush cream and pesaries but it dont help I am always iratated by the constant itching. Gp says at 22 I am too young for a smear test please help





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I've had vaginal discharge for quite some time now and I know that it's normal, but I have so much of it. It's white and thick, no odour and no pain or itching. Is it normal to have a large amount of discharge?





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Im 16 and Ive gotton nearly every treatment possible for my discharge, the discharge is not heavy but the smell is foul. The colour of it is white, I've had this for about a year now. :/





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hi my periods are always heavy but the last couple of periods have been light and inbetween each one ive been getting lower back pain,yellowish green discharge when my period has finished then all though the month before my period starts agen it goes think brownish but why its yellowish green it has a smell to it and itch's abit.





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It looks like no one else has asked this question, so please fill in the rest of your details below.





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More Information

  1. Vaginal Discharge

    In Conditions - The result of secretions produced from small glands in the lining o…

  2. Thrush

    In Conditions - A yeast infection caused by a fungus called Candida albicans which…

  3. Trichomoniasis

    In Conditions - A relatively common infection caused by a germ known as trichomonas…

  4. Gonorrhoea

    In Conditions - A sexually transmitted infection (formerly known as 'the clap'), wh…

  5. How To Check Your Vulva

    In Videos - Dr Harper's guide to how to self-check your vulva against vulval ca…

  6. Bacterial Vaginosis

    In Conditions - This unfortunate but by no means unusual condition can leave a lady…

  7. Chlamydia

    In Conditions - The most common sexually transmitted infection in the UK.

  8. Sebaceous Cyst

    In Conditions - You’re nothing special – most people will get an epider…

  9. Dr Pixie McKenna

    Doctor Info - Find out more about Dr Pixie.

  10. Dr Dawn Harper

    Doctor Info - Find out more about Dr Dawn.

  11. Dr Christian Jessen

    Doctor Info - Find out more about Dr Christian

  12. Episode 1 - Pelvic Floor

    In Episodes - This week’s episode includes a woman who thinks she has a gia…

  13. Vaginal Dryness

    In Conditions - Vaginas should normally be moist, but due to a number of factors, s…

  14. Fish Odour Syndrome

    In Conditions - An unusual metabolic condition which means you have difficulty brea…

  15. Pituitary Tumour

    In Conditions - A pituitary gland is a small, pea-sized gland that sits just next t…


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