Vaginal discharge should give you no reason for concern; it is a normal happening that women are accustomed too. Women on a daily basis initiate a hygiene pact on the vagina and carry on regardless in acceptance of their vaginal discharge being yet another natural function of the body, and how right they are.

Vaginal discharge is a normal female body function in which the vagina stays moist as part of the self-cleansing process. The vagina releases a flow of discharge which helps remove dead cells and bacteria. By normal discharge we mean the amount lost, colour and smell, these reasons help determine whether the vaginal discharge is normal or not.

Discharge comes from glands in the cervix and is slightly acidic which is important for keeping the vagina healthy, preventing infections. The acidity results from lactic acid, formed by friendly bacteria as they break down sugars. Infections need medical attention, talk to your doctor so they can prescribe the appropriate medication to treat the infected area which may be the cause of offending odours.

Women tend to differ - so vaginal discharge may vary. Some women found that the week following their period there is hardly any discharge, and what is noticeable, is of a thick consistency. Towards the middle of menstruation the amount of vaginal discharge can increase and is normally described in appearance as thin, slimey and clear.

During pregnancy vaginal discharge can get heavier. Sexual intercourse is another prime time where discharge is expected to increase, sexual pleasures causing excitement for the female can also cause generous amounts of vaginal discharge, this happens because two glands near the vaginal opening secrete additional slippery mucus, which acts as a lubricant for intercourse. Do not be embarrassed if you suffer from this condition because you are not alone. It helps to talk about health worries so confide in a girlfriend about your concerns, who at some time may have suffered the same problem; however, this is not the best approach to cure a vaginal infection if you have one.

Symptoms that show signs of in-normality are a fishy smell, a white curd like texture (thickness), itchiness or pain. Abdominal pain or discomfort when having sexual intercourse is not normal so make an appointment with your doctor for an examination so they can determine what is causing your discomfort. Unusual timely sightings of specks of blood in your vaginal discharge can imply that an infection may be present.

Genital sore/ ulcers should not go untreated. Aside from the vagina early detection of any unusual lumps on other parts of the body will increase the odds of survival should a deadly disease occur like cancer. One condition common among women with the above mentioned symptoms is bacterial vaginosis. Others causes can be thrush, trichomoniasis and not using fresh tampons. Poor hygiene causes vaginal odours. Some women believe that the vagina naturally smells - when in fact it is an odourless organ of the body.

Not all smelly vaginal discharges are due to the thrush infection; it is more directed towards bacterial vaginosis. Thrush is caused by the yeast Candida albicans. Itching is a common symptom. At the time of menstruation regularly remove soiled tampons. Tampons swell and fester if left to long inside the vagina. The thrush infection is easily treated. If you notice your vaginal discharge is thick white and causing you to itch - then there is a strong possibility that you have thrush, however a definite prognosis can only be sanctioned by your doctor.