White discharge, called leucorrhoea, is very common in people with a vagina. What we don't talk about, however, is the bleaching power of these secretions, which can ruin our favorite underwear.
White discharge, called leucorrhoea, is very common in people with a vagina. Of physiological origin, these secretions play an important role in health since they have a natural self-cleaning function of the interior of the vagina. And this is obviously not their only "magic property".
In a TikTok video that went viral, user Uhlissuhrose, whose name is Alyssa, talks about her “discoloring” vaginal discharge. Alyssa shows off several pairs of clean underwear with some discoloration at the crotch. "How does it [the vagina] do this?" ", wonders the young woman. As of this writing, there are nearly 54,000 comments below the video, the majority of them from people who say they think they are the only ones experiencing this phenomenon. “I thought I was the only one”, “I feel better, I thought there was something wrong with me”, “My problem is that no one explained this to us when I was younger, so I always thought I was not clean. Teach girls to know their bodies please ", can we, among other things, read in the many comments. All of which testify to a persistent taboo and a deep embarrassment that is difficult to deconstruct.
The acidity of vaginal secretions involved
The main reason that causes discoloration of underwear is the composition of vaginal secretions. Jennifer Lincoln, obstetrician gynecologist, explained to Buzzfeed that it had to do with the pH of the vagina. "Your vagina is an acidic environment, and that's normal", Dr Lincoln told BuzzFeed. “It's healthy, and that's thanks to the type of bacteria that live there. And so, theoretically, if your losses are slightly acidic, it could potentially change the color of the tissue ”. In an article by SELF dating from 2019, Jennifer Paul, gynecologist, explains that the acidic nature of vaginal discharge can interact with the dye in underwear and cause a stain. As a reminder, pH measures the degree of alkalinity or acidity on a scale of 0 to 14. Anything with a pH below 7 is acidic. In general, the normal pH of the vagina is between 3.8 and 4.5, although it may be higher if you are postmenopausal. "The acidity of secretions can discolor clothes, but it is important to keep in mind that these secretions are normal and healthy for your vagina", recalls Dr Paul.
Beware of "abnormal" vaginal secretions
Lactobacilli, the bacteria found in the vagina, help maintain the acidity of the vagina, which helps control the amount of harmful bacteria in the vagina. But when the pH of the vagina really goes out of order, the wrong types of bacteria can proliferate, leading to vaginal infections like bacterial vaginosis. This often causes symptoms such as a fishy smell, itching, and burning when you pee. Yeast infections can also sometimes result from a pH imbalance, but they can also occur even if your pH is normal.
If you notice strange vaginal symptoms, gynecologist Jennifer Paul emphasizes the importance of getting a diagnosis from a healthcare professional. "It is very difficult to make an accurate self-diagnosis of what is going on, and you have to make sure you receive the right treatment for the right infection", she says.
See : white discharge, what are they used for?
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What to do if your vaginal discharge constantly stains your underwear?
Experts advise against wearing tampons to absorb the losses if you don't have your period. In fact, these remain much less abundant than menstrual blood, so the tampon will mainly absorb vaginal moisture, which can cause irritation during removal. To avoid discolouring your underwear, you can use panty liners, without perfume, dye, or allergens which can be irritating to the vulva. However, wearing it every day is not recommended. A panty liner is not as ventilated as a panty, so there is a risk of germs macerating which can lead to infections.
For the gynecologist interviewed by SELF, "The easiest way would be to change your underwear more often and rinse or wash them quickly when you take them off." This way, your vaginal secretions won't have time to discolor your panties.