We’ve all been there – It’s the end of the day and we’re heading for the shower, only to find a nasty-looking pair of underwear stained with disgusting mystery fluid that sends us into a brief state of frenzy.
It could be one of the three possibilities – sperm, if you’ve had sexual intercourse within 24 hours; arousal fluid, if you’ve felt stimulated within an hour; or vaginal discharge.
Vaginal discharge is still considered a public taboo, but no one should feel self-conscious or embarrassed over tossing a pair of stained underwear in the laundry bag, just in case someone notices the splotch when it lands face-up.
If anything, this discharge, albeit unpleasant, is paramount to our health and an imperative indicator as to what’s going on inside our bodies. We’ve summed up everything you need to know about this discharge, also known as cervical fluid:
It comes from the cervix – This vaginal fluid is actually produced by the glands of the cervix, which is the donut-shaped tissue at the end of the uterus that is linked to the vagina. It is often visible during various stages of a regular menstrual cycle, so yes, we will experience it on a monthly basis.
Its texture and colour varies – This fluid can change in colour and texture at various times of the month, depending on the viciousness of the hormones estrogen and progesterone inside our bodies. There’s nothing to worry about and these are definitely not signs of an infection.
It helps in family planning – Couples utilise the discrepancies of vaginal fluid to predict ovulation and determine the best time to have sex to increase chances of getting pregnant. If it’s creamy, ovulation is approaching. Looking to conceive? Monitor the fluid for a raw egg white consistency. The viscosity and temperament of the fluid may differ cycle to cycle.
It is sperm-friendly – Sperm swims through this cervical fluid before it reaches the cervix and beyond. It acts like a bouncer that protects and nourishes the cervix, while being pH-matched to sperm. Think of it as a passageway that leads the potential winning sperm and filters out the unworthy. Sperm can also stay alive for up to five days in this fluid.
