What’s that in my undies?

A period is often referred to as bleeding, and while there’s no doubt we see red, during our menstrual cycle we discharge more than just blood!

How much blood should there be?

Menstrual fluid is made up of secretions, mucus, tissue and blood. On average, we lose about four tablespoons or 60ml of fluid over a period but that can vary depending on your genes and even your diet. The amount of blood in the fluid varies greatly between women but is typically only 20-30ml. It’s actually not that much but can look very dramatic on a white pad! Most of the loss occurs in the first two days of your period and slows down after that.

What is vaginal discharge?

Aside from the ‘bleeding’ part of our cycle, we’re also likely to get vaginal discharge at different times of the month. Vaginal discharge normally starts appearing with the onset of puberty and is triggered by hormones. It’s just a mucus secretion produced in the vagina to keep it clean, moist and help prevent infection. We all have it! We promise!

The consistency and quantity of vaginal discharge can change throughout your cycle (again, due to hormonal fluctuations). It can be clear, whitish or yellowish, quite thin and watery through to thick and gooey – and everything in between. Some women have more discharge than others, which can be affected by hormones contraceptives or just genetics. If discharge bothers you, using a liner will help absorb any excess moisture and keep you feeling fresh as a daisy down there!

If you notice your discharge is a bit smelly or greenish in colour, you should see your doctor as they’re both signs of a possible infection.

What’s ‘spotting’?

Tiny ‘spots’ of blood that appear in your undies when you don’t have your period is called spotting. Occasional spotting isn’t unusual and it’s nothing to be worried about. It can happen around the time of ovulation or be a side effect of the oral contraceptive pill or an IUD. However, if it’s persistent, it could be a sign of early pregnancy, infection, fibroids or other diseases, so it’s definitely worth a visit to the doctor to have it checked out.

Love, Libra x

Anything else? Asaleo Care makes no warranties or representations regarding the completeness or accuracy of the information. This information should be used only as a guide and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional, medical or other health professional advice.