1. Check Out the Colors
For women, leakage from the vagina in the form of a thick discharge is normal. The mucus could be showing up for any number of reasons. A clear mucus could be a sign that you're in the mood for sex or that you're body is merely doing a little self-cleaning. Before rushing out to the doctor for a prescription, look closely at the color of the discharge to determine its origin. A darker color associated with an odor and soreness or itching could be signs of a problem.
2. Go for the Culture
Once you've determined that the discharge is of the unfriendly kind, see a doctor and let her do a pap culture. Often doctors can recognize the discharge and begin a treatment for an STD, or sexually transmitted disease, on the spot while waiting for lab results. Yeast infections can cause a thick kind of discharge and are common to most doctors. If blood is present in the discharge and you are not having your period, it could mean some unhealthy issues with your system as well. A discharge is sometimes associated with pregnancy, so take a pregnancy test too.
3. Was it Good for You?
If you see any kind of white discharge from your partner, hold off on any sexual encounters until you figure out what's going on. STDs can range from a mild case of chlamydia, to a more serious disease like gonorrhea or syphilis. Once you've been diagnosed with an STD, get your partner treated too so that he won't re-infect you next time you make love.
4. Read the Labels
While women all want to have a nice smelling vagina and keep any odors at bay, some of the beauty regimes are bad for them. Douches can kill necessary bacteria in the vagina and create an unhealthy breeding ground for infections. Read the labels on any vaginal products and use sparingly. Latex condoms and spermicidal lotions also carry trace chemicals that could produce, rather than reduce, the chance of infection. Read those warning labels and consider the risks carefully before using.
5. Clear the Way
Prevent vaginal discharge by letting your vagina breathe. Wearing cotton underwear regularly and staying away from pantyhose and tight lycra underpants can help. Wash your nether regions with soap and water and pat dry. Refrain from applying lotions there and let it breathe in loose pajamas while sleeping. Avoid public hot tubs that can breed little germs that can do a number on your insides. Try to only use hypoallergenic creams if you need lubrication during sex.
