Vaginal discharge psychosomatics
Most women have vaginal discharge, and usually it is normal: it moisturises, cleans and protects against infections. According to the NHS, normal discharge is clear or white and does not have a strong smell. If the smell, colour or thickness changes, or you get itching, pain or bleeding between periods, do not diagnose yourself, book a visit with a gynaecologist. The Ladder method helps you notice how you treat your body, and it does not replace a doctor.
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When to see a doctor
A gynaecologist. The doctor will examine you, take a swab and suggest treatment. Come if the smell, colour or thickness has changed, there is more discharge, itching, pain when you pee, lower abdominal pain, or bleeding between periods or after sex (NHS). Do not treat yourself at random with pharmacy pessaries: different causes need different treatment.
In the Ladder method
In the Ladder method discharge is not explained by "dirty thoughts" and has nothing to do with guilt. It is not your fault: discharge, including with an infection, is an ordinary part of the female body and says nothing about your behaviour. A gynaecologist comes first, and questions to yourself go alongside treatment, not instead of it.
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In the method this topic fits the image of your attitude to your body: can you notice its signals without shame and squeamishness. This is an image, not the cause of the discharge, and it does not replace tests.
On the ladder this shows up as the rungs "you cannot talk about this" and "I am embarrassed about my body". You can work through them at your own pace while the doctor looks for the cause.
These are questions for reflection, not an explanation of what causes the condition and not a treatment.
The topic in a short video
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How it shows up
Book a doctor’s appointment if you notice:
- The smell of the discharge has changed
- The discharge has turned green, yellow or frothy
- Thick white discharge like cottage cheese
- Itching or burning
- Pain when you pee
- Bleeding between periods or after sex
- Lower abdominal pain
What medicine knows
Vaginal discharge is fluid or mucus that cleans and moisturises the vagina and protects it from infections. It happens at any age, and the amount changes (NHS).
Usually there is nothing to worry about if the discharge is clear or white, thick and sticky or slippery and wet, without a strong unpleasant smell. There is more of it during pregnancy, with sexual activity and on hormonal contraception, and in the middle of the cycle, around ovulation, it is often clearer and heavier (NHS).
If the smell, colour or consistency changes, it can be a sign of infection. According to the NHS a fishy smell comes with bacterial vaginosis, thick white discharge like cottage cheese with thrush, and green, yellow or frothy discharge with trichomoniasis. Discharge with lower abdominal pain or bleeding can come with chlamydia or gonorrhoea, and with blisters and sores with herpes. You cannot diagnose by looks, you need an examination and tests.
To avoid irritating the skin, wash with warm water and mild unscented soap, do not use scented gels and wipes, and do not douche: the inside of the vagina does not need washing (NHS). Sexually transmitted infections happen to many people, and there is nothing to be ashamed of in seeing a doctor: they treat them like any other illness.
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Frequently asked questions
Which discharge is considered normal?
According to the NHS, normal discharge is clear or white, without a strong smell, thick and sticky or slippery and wet. There is more of it during pregnancy, with sexual activity, on hormonal contraception and around ovulation.
What does discharge with a fishy smell or like cottage cheese mean?
According to the NHS a fishy smell comes with bacterial vaginosis, and thick white discharge like cottage cheese with thrush. But a diagnosis is not made by looks, so you need an examination by a gynaecologist and a swab.
Can I treat it myself?
You should not. The NHS advises not to diagnose yourself and to see a doctor when the discharge has changed. Different causes need different medicines. In the Ladder method this topic is a reason to ask yourself about shame and your body, and this does not replace a doctor.
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Answers to common questions
Psychosomatics does not replace tests and treatment. Only a doctor can make a diagnosis.