Seeing orange discharge in your underwear or when you wipe can be alarming. More often than not, it’s a sign that your body is trying to communicate with you. In this article, we take you through all that your body’s discharge may be saying and how you should respond.
Vaginal discharge isn’t something a lot of us are taught to understand from a young age.
This can make us feel confused, grossed out, or unsure when to seek help if we spot our discharge looking out of the ordinary.
But know that it is a completely natural process and actually helps keep our bodies in balance. You just need to know what to look out for.
Discharge or mucus are not the most flattering names for such an important bodily function. The medical term for vaginal discharge is leukorrhea. Leukorrhea is a type of fluid produced by the vagina and cervix that helps to keep it clean and free from infection.
It can appear in different amounts, colors, and consistencies throughout your menstrual cycle.
These changes provide a useful way to understand your fertility and vaginal health. But, seeing a color out of the ordinary can cause concern. So, why is my discharge orange?
Before we move on to what’s unhealthy, let’s first explore what healthy vaginal discharge should look like.
People with vaginas can have discharge at any age and the amount can vary from person to person.
Types of vaginal discharge depend on the stage of your menstrual cycle, for example:
Each of these types of discharge are healthy. They show your body is regulating itself in tune with changes in your hormones throughout your menstrual cycle.
Rising estrogen levels stimulate your cervix and vagina to secrete more mucus. This is why you can expect more discharge following your period and around the time of ovulation as your estrogen levels are higher.
Some people struggle with the amount of discharge they experience. Everyone will experience different amounts of discharge depending on their estrogen levels.
Those with higher levels of estrogen will experience more discharge compared to those with lower levels. Birth control containing estrogen can influence the amount of discharge you get, as well as lifestyle choices such as diet and exercise.
Thin panty liners or period pants can be a great solution for absorbing excess moisture. If possible, using organic, non-scented products will help protect your good bacteria.
Some people worry about the smell of vaginal discharge. The natural bacterial flora of the vagina works to keep it within a healthy balance. This is also known as the vaginal microbiome. It’s this bacteria that causes vaginas to have a natural musky scent. This is completely normal and nothing to worry about.
However, if your discharge has a strong smell or fish-like odor, this could be a sign that your body is fighting infection.
For example, curdy white discharge with a thicker consistency and a strong fish-like smell is a symptom of a yeast infection. These often appear alongside other symptoms like itching or irritation of the vulva.
Yeast infections can be treated with creams and tablets from your local pharmacy, but a doctor’s consultation should be prioritized. Other colors that could suggest infection include darker yellow, green, or gray. We’ll cover these below as we explore the different possible reasons behind orange discharge.
There are multiple reasons as to why your discharge may be orange. Some are completely normal and nothing to worry about, whereas others may be your body providing an important sign that you need to seek treatment.
Half of all people with BV don’t experience any symptoms, making it difficult to detect. The most common symptom is a change in vaginal discharge. It ranges from orange to gray in color, with a thin, water-like consistency and a strong smell. BV does not usually cause any irritation or soreness of the vulva but changes the acidity level of your vagina and reduces your natural defenses against infection. Doctors prescribe antibiotics to treat BV, which can come as tablets, gels, or creams.
There are a few other ways to protect the pH balance of your vagina. Try using plain water to wash your genital area and take showers instead of baths. Avoid using any perfumed soaps, washes, or deodorants, and do not clean the inside of your vagina. This is because the vagina is self-sufficient and cleans itself. Wearing cotton underwear and washing them with gentle detergent prevents overheating and moisture.
It’s a good idea to take a pregnancy test or get a sonography scan to confirm your pregnancy sooner rather than later. Here are some more early signs of pregnancy.
If your discharge changes to a deeper red, you must see your doctor as soon as possible. Darker red or brown discharge may signal a complication such as miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy.
Ectopic pregnancy is when the embryo implants in the fallopian tube. It can be very dangerous for the mother if not removed early on.
Cramping, passing tissue, dizziness, or the easing of pregnancy symptoms are all signs of miscarriage. If any of these occur you should seek medical help immediately.
Read More :What Does Miscarriage Look Like?
