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Vaginal discharge is typically a natural bodily function, especially during certain life experiences such as pregnancy and menopause.
In fact, many of the fluids in your vagina are there to protect you: Healthy discharge includes vaginal skin cells, bacteria, mucus and fluid that come from the vagina and the cervix, which is the narrow opening of the uterus. This fluid guards against vaginal and urinary tract infections (UTIs) and helps lubricate vaginal tissues.
But discharge can also be a sign of an underlying health issue. If something doesn’t look, feel or smell right, it’s best to see your healthcare provider (HCP), says women’s health specialist Jackie Moore, DNP, WHNP-BC, of Women’s Health Partners and Summerville Medical Center in South Carolina. Here’s what to know about how vaginal discharge should look, when it might change, and when to see a healthcare provider (HCP).
Sources: American Pregnancy Association. Cervical... + 17
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