HELP! Is it an STD? 

In all cases of unusual discharges especially if you have unprotected sex with multiple partners it is important to get yourself tested by a healthcare practitioner. Get to know your own body. Any heavy, strong smelling and discoloured discharge should be checked. 

There is no shame in any of this testing. This is about caring for your body properly with the correct information. 

How To Tell If Your Discharge Is Normal

• Normal discharge doesn’t smell or may have mild odour 

• Normal discharge doesn't itch, burn or cause redness

• Normal discharge is clear or creamy coloured

Thrush or Yeast Infection Symptoms

• Thick white discharge, often resembles cottage cheese

• Painful sex or urination

• Intense itchiness in vulvar area and vagina

• Redness or swollen labia

How to Treat

First make an appointment with a healthcare practitioner to confirm that you have thrush. Once confirmed you will be better informed about your body to take the next steps to TREAT & how to recognise it next time.

Your HCP will recommend topical medication such as: Canesten combi- which is both a pessary (a small amount of medication is inserted vaginally, like a tampon) and a cream to soothe the skin outside of your vagina and vulva. 

In some cases oral medication may be needed if your symptoms do not resolve.

Bacterial Vaginosis 

Symptoms include:

• unusual vaginal thin, grey or yellow discharge

• you may have a fishy odour 

• you may be itchy and painful during or after intercourse

• there may be burning with urination

Diagnosis & Treatment

• Your doctor will test to confirm visual diagnosis

• Your doctor will prescribe oral medications such as antibiotics or topical creams

• You may be encouraged to take probiotics as a compromised vaginal microbiome may result in greater susceptibility to future bacterial vaginosis

Bacterial Vaginosis occurs because of a bacterial imbalance in the vagina. To promote greater bacterial diversity, especially lactobacillus, may protect your vagina from future imbalances.  

DOUCHING IS NEVER A GOOD IDEA and can lead to further irritation. 

Remember: your vagina is a self cleaning oven!