Synthetic underwear, like polyester, can also disrupt your pH balance. Try to wear cotton underwear when possible. If your clothes get damp or sweaty, try to change as soon as you can. Moisture prevents your vagina from being able to breathe. Stick to white or light-colored underwear, since dark dyes can cause allergies or irritation. However, laundering new underwear before you use it can reduce the risk of bad reactions. [2] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U. S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
You should also stay away from colored or scented toilet paper, as it can also disrupt your pH balance. [4] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U. S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
If you have stomach pain, lower back pain, painful urination, a fever, or bloody urine, you might have a urinary tract infection. Make an appointment with your doctor to get a prescription for antibiotics. [6] X Research source
If you don’t want to deal with a pantyliner, you can also pack a few extra pairs of underwear and change them throughout the day. Unfortunately, wearing a pantyliner too often can upset the balance of healthy bacteria and yeast in your vagina. [9] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U. S. National Institutes of Health Go to source If you don’t feel comfortable without one, make sure to use liners that are breathable and unscented. Limit how much time you have the liner in (e. g. , only wear it when you leave home, and never sleep with a liner in your underwear).
Remember that birth control protects against pregnancy, but only condoms protect against STDs and STIs.
Wiping from back to front may lead to abnormal discharge, which is why it’s important to change the habit if you’ve gotten into it.
Using a douche or a vaginal wash can lead to abnormal discharge. Your vagina doesn’t need to be cleaned since it cleans itself. When in doubt, just leave it alone. Baths and hot tubs can disrupt the pH balance of your vagina. Try to stick to showering for the majority of the time.
Thick, white, cheesy discharge—This is usually a sign of a yeast infection. May also be accompanied by itching or swelling around the vulva. White, yellow or grey discharge—Especially if accompanied by a fishy odor, this type of discharge is likely a sign of bacterial vaginosis. May also be accompanied by itching and swelling. Yellow or green discharge—May be a sign of trichomoniasis, which is commonly spread through sexual intercourse. Brown or bloody discharge—This could be irregular menstruation, but it could also be cervical cancer, especially if it is accompanied by pelvic pain. Cloudy yellow discharge—May be a sign of gonorrhea. Ask your doctor about factors that can affect your discharge, like certain medications, pregnancy, and birth control pills.
Bacterial infections are usually treated with the antibiotics clindamycin and metronidazole.
