What Is Orange Discharge?
Orange discharge is a normal part of menstruation. It occurs during the time of your menstrual flow and it’s not harmful to you or anyone else.
Why Does My Period Have A Bright Yellow Color?
The color of your period comes from blood that washes out with each passing day. If there isn’t enough blood in your body, then it will start to look yellowish because it doesn’t have enough oxygen to function properly.
How Long Do I See The Color Of My Period Change Over Time?
It usually takes anywhere between three days to five days before your period starts to turn bright yellow. During the first few days, you may see some dark red streaks appear on your sheets. These are called “menses bleeding.” Your periods may last up to seven days. You’ll probably notice a change in how often you bleed during these times too.
When Will My Period Stop?
Your period stops naturally once you’ve reached ovulation. However, if you’re using birth control pills or other hormonal methods of contraception, your period won’t stop until your method wears off. So while you might not feel like having a full flow right away, don’t worry! You’ll get through it! (And yes, sometimes you do! That’s called breakthrough bleeding and it’s super common).
What If I See Bright Red Blood With My Discharge?
Bright red blood with your period is a sign of an infection. Call your gyno right away and ask if you can be tested for STIs or if you need an antibiotic. It is important to get treatment right away, because if the infection is left untreated it can lead to more severe health problems down the line.
What Is The White, Clumpy Discharge That I’m Seeing?
You may notice white or yellow clumped discharge when you wipe. It looks like snot and it can be pretty alarming when you first discover it. But don’t worry, it’s a normal part of your period. Most of the time, clumpy discharge is made up of extra mucus and vaginal secretions that make your period flow freely. You might also see clumps if you’ve been sweating a lot or have been wearing super-thick pads or tampons that can irritate your vaginal walls.
What Does Normal Discharge Look Like?
It’s typically clear or white in color and looks like egg whites. It can be thick or thin. It shouldn’t have an odor and it shouldn’t feel uncomfortable while you’re menstruating.
How Do I Wash Discharge Off Of My Hands?
If you need to wash discharge off of your hands, you shouldn’t rub it like you would regular hand soap. Gently wipe your hands over a dry paper towel until all the discharge is gone. If you rub it, you’re more likely to introduce bacteria into your lady parts and that could lead to an infection down the line.
How Can I Get Rid Of Discharge When I’m Not Menstruating?
You might experience excess discharge when you’re not on your period. This is called secretions and it can happen for a variety of reasons. If you’re stressed out about something or you’ve been working too hard, your body can start pumping out extra mucus to protect your vaginal walls from potential infection. Here are some ways to reduce the amount of secretions that you produce:
Wear cotton underwear and clothes without underwear (hello, cut-offs! No more wedgies!).
Ditch the pads and panty liners. You only need them if your underwear are made of synthetic fabrics that don’t “breathe” (i.e.
plastic-y feeling)
Exercise! Seriously, working out has all kinds of health benefits, but one of them is regulating your periods and reducing secretions.
Don’t wear underwear at all. Just take them off! You won’t have to worry about a backup pad.
Try using a lubricant specifically for women when you have penetrative (aka, vaginal) or insertive (i.e. a tampon) sexual activity.
The extra moisture can lead to more secretions.
You should only be concerned about excess discharge if it has an odd smell or color to it or if you find that you’re itching or experiencing pain in your vaginal area. If that’s the case, you should go to your gyno immediately and they can check to make sure that there isn’t any other potential issues going on.
What If I Have An Odor Or Discharge When I’m Not Menstruating?
An unusual odor could be a sign of BV (bacterial vaginosis), which is an imbalance of “good” and “bad” bacteria in your lady parts. It’s not an STD (although it can be sexually transmitted), but it can lead to one if you don’t treat it. Unfortunately, there is no known prevention method. If you experience discharge with a strong, fishy odor, go see your doctor immediately.
Can I Get Pregnant If My Discharge Is Thick?
Nope. If your discharge is thick, that’s a sign that you’re not fertile on your period. If you have a regular 28-day cycle and it’s day 14, you can be pretty sure that there’s no way you’re getting pregnant!
Is It Normal For My Discharge To Have Blood Clots In It?
Yep. Your period isn’t always just going to be a simple flow of blood. It can come with clots, too. This is all part of a normal period.
What Should I Do If My Discharge Changes Color And Has A Musty Smell?
If you experience a change in discharge color and it has a musty smell, this is a sign of the more serious condition called bacterial vaginosis or BV for short. The pH level of your body has become unbalanced and certain bacteria are thriving at the expense of others. You’ll need to see your doctor to get meds to solve this problem. In the meantime, you should use a lubricant (both internally and externally) to prevent yourself from getting irritated and causing yourself pain.
What Should I Do If My Discharge Has A Fishy Or Sweet Smell?
An increase in discharge can result in it having a stronger smell than usual. This is common, especially if you’re stressed or have been working out a lot. Some women just naturally produce more discharge than others and that’s fine, too. If it smells particularly fishy or sweet, we suggest that you use a water-based lubricant externally to prevent your va-jay-jay from getting irritated.
Remember, discharge is your friend. It’s a sign that your body is healthy and functioning as it should. However, if you experience a major change in your discharge, such as a sudden dark color accompanied by an intense itching sensation or a sudden increase in thickness and odor, you should definitely go see your doctor to make sure everything is OK down there.
DISCLAIMER:
The information provided on this site is presented with the understanding that no person shall use such information in choosing a method of contraception and is not intended as medical advice. The information should not be considered complete and should not be relied upon without consulting primary medical sources.
1.Cleveland Clinic – Vaginal discharge
2.Duramed Pharmaceuticals, Inc. – Vagifem® (estradiol vaginal tablets)
3.Duramed Pharmaceuticals, Inc. – Femring® (estradiol b.p.
tablets USP)
4.Duramed Pharmaceuticals, Inc. – EstroGel® (estradiol gel)
5.Duramed Pharmaceuticals, Inc. – Estring® (absorbed dose of estradiol)
6.Duramed Pharmaceuticals, Inc. – Evamist® (estradiol inhalation powder)
7.Duramed Pharmaceuticals, Inc. – Climara Pro® (Norethindrone Acetate and Ethinyl Estradiol Tablets)
8.Duramed Pharmaceuticals, Inc. – Ortho-Prefest® (Norethindrone Acetate and Ethinyl Estradiol Tablets)
Sources & references used in this article:
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The reddish-orange fluorescence of necrotic cancerous surfaces under the Wood light by F RONCHESE, BS WALKER… – AMA archives of …, 1954 – jamanetwork.com
Ruxolitinib partially reverses functional natural killer cell deficiency in patients with signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1) gain-of-function mutations by …, IC Hanson, NL Rider, SM Holland, JS Orange… – Journal of Allergy and …, 2018 – Elsevier
A comparison of acridine orange, wet microscopy and gram staining in the diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis by D Nunns, D Mandal, RJ Farrand, H O’Neill… – Journal of Infection, 1997 – Elsevier
