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IT IS FIRST TIME YOU NOTICED unusual, unpleasant and unexpected vaginal discharge in your underpants. It is very new for you and you don't know what is it. You feel shame to ask your mother or friends as it is very private thing. but don't worry - it is absolutely normal to have vaginal discharge in puberty. First vaginal discharge means puberty hormonal changes in your body already started.
Many girls notice a yellow or white stain in the crotch of their underpants as they go through puberty. This is a normal fluid that helps clean and moisten female vagina. However, if you have itching, odor, or irritation around your vagina, this could mean that you have an infection. If you have any of these symptoms, better visit your doctor for some tests.
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IMPORTANT TO KNOW
You will usually get your first period a year after you first have discharge from your vagina.
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What is vaginal discharge?
Vaginal discharge is the result of secretions produced from small glands in the lining of the vagina and the cervix.
All women have a little discharge starting a year or two before puberty and ending after the menopause. How much discharge a woman notices changes from time to time and it will change quite a lot between periods.
How much discharge is normal?
The amount of discharge varies from woman to woman. Different women probably also have different opinions of what is normal. But if it always involves using panty shields, or changing protection or underwear several times a day, then it is probably heavier than normal and a doctor should be consulted.
The amount of discharge is often influenced by hormonal changes in the woman's body. The week before a period, being pregnant or using the oral contraceptive pills are all typically associated with an increase in vaginal discharge.
What color is normal discharge?
A normal, physiological, discharge is usually clear, creamy or very slightly yellow.
It is advisable to consult a doctor if any of the following changes are noticed as they may indicate that the discharge is caused by infection (vaginitis):
 If there is suddenly a greater amount of discharge.- If the discharge changes color from yellow-whitish to brownish, reddish or greenish.
- If it becomes smelly.
Reviewed by Dr Phillip Owen
Vaginal Discharge: What Teens Should Know
First, and most importantly, vaginal discharge is normal and varies during your menstrual cycle. For example, before ovulation (the release of the egg), there is A LOT of mucous produced, up to 30X more than after ovulation. It is also more watery and stretchy during that phase of your cycle. You may want to wear panty liners during that time.
Things to Know
A normal vaginal discharge is about a teaspoon (4 ML) a day and can be white or transparent, thick to thin, and odorless. This is formed by the normal bacteria and fluids the vaginal cells put off. The discharge can be more noticeable at different times of the month depending on ovulation, menstrual flow, sexual activity and birth control.
It is not uncommon for the normal discharge to be dark, brown or discolored a day or two following the menstrual period - this is just old blood.
To really get in touch with what is normal - pay attention and keep a little calendar for several months, noting what kind of discharge you have every day. Once you know what normal is for you, you will worry a lot less.
The things that you should be worried about include if the discharge has a yellow or green color, is clumpy like cottage cheese, or has a bad odor. If worried, see a doctor.
Different Types of Discharge
Light yellow: For girls who have not started their period yet, having a little yellow or white discharge that dries on their panties every day is perfectly normal!
White: Thick, white discharge is common at the beginning and end of your cycle. Normal white discharge is not accompanied by itching. If itching is present, thick white discharge can indicate a yeast infection.
Clear and stretchy: This is "fertile" mucous and means you are ovulating. Do not be shy, feel it - if it stretches between your fingers - you are ovulating!
Clear and watery: This occurs at different times of your cycle and can be particularly heavy after exercising.
Dark Yellow or Green: May indicate an infection, especially if thick or clumpy like cottage cheese or has a foul odor.
Brown: May happen right after periods, and is just "cleaning out" your vagina. Old blood looks brown.
Spotting Blood/Brown Discharge: This may occur when you are ovulating/mid-cycle, particularly if someone else you live with happens to be having a period while you are ovulating - the hormones seem to "shake up" other uterus's in the area.
Sometimes early in pregnancy you may have spotting or a brownish discharge at the time your period would normally come. If you have spotting at the time of your normal period rather than your usual amount of flow, and you have had sex without using birth control, you should use a pregnancy test with the first urine of the day.
By Nancy L. Brown
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