The vagina is an important organ that women should pay special attention to and take care of because even a slight abnormality can cause women to lose confidence or lead to subsequent diseases. Dr. Tharinee Lamleuk, Obstetrician and Gynecologist at the Women’s Health Center, Phyathai 2 Hospital offers good advice for all women to recognize how to observe vaginal abnormalities and know how to take care of themselves to stay disease-free.
Warning signs.. from “vaginal discharge”
Normally, women’s hormones produce vaginal discharge, which can be divided into 2 types: normal discharge and pathological discharge, which is an early symptom of vaginitis, fungal infection, or bacterial infection.
- Normal discharge: Clear or white in color, occurring before or after menstruation, and in small amounts.
- Pathological discharge: Green or yellow, foamy, mixed with blood, increased in amount, with a fishy, salty, sour, or musty odor. It may be clumpy, thick, mucus-like pus, and accompanied by other symptoms such as lower abdominal pain and fever.
Warning signs.. from “itching”
Itching in the vaginal area is divided into 2 types: internal vaginal itching and external vaginal itching.
- Internal itching: Observe if there is discharge along with it, or if itching occurs after sexual intercourse, and whether there is any foreign object inside.
- External itching: Check if there is an itchy rash outside, which may be caused by dampness, fungal infection in the groin, or due to changes in personal items, detergent, or soap used for underwear, which can cause allergies.
Warning signs.. from “wounds or lesions in the vaginal area”
When examining wounds and lesions in the vaginal area, doctors will check for pain, whether there is a single or multiple wounds, their characteristics, whether they are raised and scaly or just raised. You can observe yourself using a mirror. If it is a lesion, the doctor will need to know if you have a history of sexually transmitted infections, trauma, or friction.
Warning signs.. from “abnormal vaginal bleeding”
Observe how much vaginal bleeding occurs and whether the bleeding is prolonged or intermittent. Note the color of the blood—bright red, light red, or brown—and whether it is related to menstruation. For example, spotting between periods may require cervical cancer screening.
Observation.. abnormal bleeding vs menstrual bleeding
Menstrual blood comes regularly; some women have it intermittently, lasting from half a day up to about 8 days. After menstruation stops, there is a gap of 21-45 days depending on the individual. However, any bleeding between periods or after menopause should be taken seriously and checked promptly, as it may indicate cancer, cervicitis, or abnormal pregnancy. Bleeding after sexual intercourse may also be a symptom of cervicitis, vaginitis, or cancer.
Warning signs.. from “vaginal odor”
You should observe what kind of odor your vagina has. Mainly, there are 3 common odors: fishy, sour, and musty. Odor usually results from vaginal imbalance due to excessive douching, presence of discharge, foreign objects inside, or possibly cancer.
How to take care of your vagina by yourself
- Use plain water to clean every time you use the bathroom.
- Wash only the external area; do not douche inside, and wash from front to back.
- After washing, dry by patting from front to back; do not wipe back to front.
- Avoid wearing overly tight clothing that causes dampness, such as very tight underwear or thick fabric, and avoid wearing multiple layers like underwear with shapewear, stockings, or panty liners, as heat can cause discharge. Wear comfortable underwear that allows air circulation.
- Do not let your underwear crotch stay wet; try to dry it every time after using the bathroom.
- Change sanitary pads frequently during menstruation and clean yourself every time after using the bathroom.
- Regarding pubic hair care, avoid shaving or waxing unnecessarily as it can thin the skin and cause allergic reactions to wax. It is easier to care for by trimming hair to reduce dampness.
- Do not share towels with others and wash towels regularly.
- Clean the toilet seat every time before using the bathroom.
- Avoid frequently changing sexual partners as it increases the risk of sexually transmitted infections.
In addition to basic care, regular internal examinations and annual cervical cancer screenings help keep you away from serious diseases or detect diseases early, which increases the chances of complete recovery.
