6 Signs That Let You Know Something Is Going Wrong In Your Vagina
Your vagina can't tell you the future, but it CAN tell you what's wrong with your body.
Instead of complaining about having periods and suffering through childbirth, we ladies should be thanking the heavens that we came equipped with vaginas.
Honestly, a vagina is like its own little city down there, and even though they are all different, all of them are self-cleaning and quick healing and come with the ability to tell you what’s going on inside of your body. PRETTY dang cool!
Actually, if you would just take the time to listen to it, you would know that she has your best interest in mind and is more clever than you think.
In fact, your vagina will give you signals and cues that go WAY beyond knowing the best time to get to baby-making.
When things are going a little haywire inside your body, your vagina is there to let you in on it.
If you have a vagina, plan on getting one (you never know), or just love someone with them and want to teach them a thing or two about themselves, start paying attention for these 6 signs from your vagina that something is actually wrong. You can thank her for it later.
1. You're seeing discharge.
Alright, don’t freak out! Daily discharge is totally normal and is your vagina’s way of cleaning itself. However, there are different versions of vaginal discharge that may be a little concerning. If your discharge is thick, white and the consistency of cottage cheese, it could mean that you have a yeast infection. If you notice that your discharge has a strong fishy odor, it could be a symptom of bacterial vaginosis.
These sticky situations are actually quite common and easy to cure with a quick trip to the gynecologist but some discharge might point to a more serious problem with your vagina.
Bloody or yellow discharge could be an indicator of gonorrhea, and frothy discharge that smells a little like rotten eggs could be a symptom of Trichomoniasis.
2. It smells a little more funky than usual.
In case you were feeling a little insecure about it, ALL vaginas smell. Sometimes it’s a musty odor and other times it resembles B.O, but vaginal smells are totally normal.
You should pay attention to the general smell of your vagina because if it makes a dramatic change, there could be something fishy going on.
Speaking of fishy, if your vagina is starting to smell a bit like the seafood isle of the grocery store, it could indicate an infection like bacterial vaginosis or an STD like Trichomoniasis (see #1). A yeasty scent could indicate a yeast infection (see #1), and a rotten smell could be a sign that you lost track of a tampon (It happens more often than you think!)
3. It burns or itches.
If you’re feeling the burn, it’s time to pay attention to what your vagina is trying to say. When normal vaginal bacteria goes astray, burning can be one of the first symptoms. Bacterial vaginosis could be the culprit but you shouldn’t count out more serious issues like chlamydia, gonorrhea, and trichomoniasis. Yeast infections are a common and easily diagnosed cause of vaginal burning while the beginning of menopause or allergic reactions to laundry detergent are not so easy to identify.
4. You find a sore or two.
Sores are your vagina’s way of crying out for attention. The most common reason for sores are STDs like herpes and HPV so if you see any suspicious, red bumps, head to your gyno immediately.
Don’t let this one go, ladies. You don't want to be passing something on to someone else.
5. You begin spotting out of the blue.
Yeah, spotting is pretty common around your period, but if you pay closer attention, it could be telling you something more. Blood coming out of your vagina when you aren’t on your period should always be addressed as it could be a sign of ovarian cysts, STDs, pregnancy problems, and cancer.
A bit of spotting can also be a sign that you are significantly stressed too. Head to yoga class, try some meditation or take some work off of your plate and see if it stops.
6. Sex gets painful.
Sex is NOT supposed to hurt. I mean, what would be the point right? However, your vagina will use painful sex as a way to alert you to a bigger issue. Vaginal and ovarian cysts as well as uterine fibroids could be causing the pain and may need to be surgically removed.
Other issues like vaginismus (vaginal muscle spasms) can cause excruciatingly painful sex too and should be treated by a doctor in order to salvage your sex life and your well-being.
Your vagina has a lot to say and she only wants what’s best for you. The sooner you start paying attention, the better chance you have of catching problems early.