"If you gently wash your vagina, and change your underwear every day, you shouldn't have any problems with smells."
What are the white, or yellowish, stains in my pants?
Just before you start having periods you might first notice a whiteish stain in your pants, which is called vaginal secretion. This is quite normal and nothing to worry about. When you start having periods you will probably notice this stain or secretion changing a bit during your monthly cycle.
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What are vaginal secretions?
Your cervix, which is at the top of the middle hole between your legs, produces a mucus, similar to the mucus in your nose. This helps to keep your vagina clean and also helps sperm stay alive for up to seven days inside you. This secretion is usually clear or slightly milky when it is first made but might dry to a slightly yellow colour on your pants. It shouldn't smell strongly unless you haven't washed for a while. A problem secretion is called a discharge.
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Do I need to do anything about the stains?
If it bothers you having these secretions in your pants you can use thin pant liners. There is no reason why you should need to use perfumed pads or sprays, douches, they are expensive and might cause irritation. It is much better to keep yourself clean and change your underclothes regularly.
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Why do these secretions change sometimes?
When you get sexually excited, 'turned on', you will find that you or your female partner produces more secretions, this is quite normal and helps penetration. If you don't produce enough secretions and having sex seems difficult you can use some lubricant. You must be careful that any lubricant you use doesn't dissolve the condom you might be using. Latex condoms dissolve and break if you use lubricants that are oil based, for example Vaseline, you need to use a water-based lubricant.
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What types of vaginal secretions can mean I have a problem?
If you have a genital infection the vaginal secretions you produce can change colour and become thick. Some infections also produce a smell.
Get yourself 'checked out' if you have:
A smelly discharge is most likely to be caused by bacterial vaginosis which is not caught during sex.
A discharge together with itching or soreness is most likely to be caused by genital thrush, candida, which is also not caught during sex.
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