When it comes to a healthy V zone, there are, in fact, three major factors to look for.
They include: The way your vulva looks and feels to the touch; how it smells; and the quality and quantity of your intimate secretions or discharges.
All three factors - either alone or together - can help you determine if, indeed, you V zone is healthy, or you are in need of medical attention and care.
Here's where you can begin to look for signs that everything is okay!
Sign # 1 : Discharge
Medically known as "leukorrhea", many women believe that a noticeable discharge is always an indication of a problem. In reality, however, it's one of the most important signs of good V zone health! Indeed, the vagina is a self-cleansing organ, and discharge is one way your V zone rids itself of old cells, bacteria,
and other micro-organisms that might otherwise cause harm.
What's Normal: According to experts at the McKinely Health Center at the University of Illinois, look for a discharge that is milky, cloudy white or clear. If it dries on your panties it may take on a yellow tinge, or contain white flecks. All this is considered normal. And, since the amount of discharge can be different for every woman - plus it changes from week to week in direct response to your menstrual cycle- it's difficult to say what is normal in this respect.
That said, for the most part, discharge should be visable, but not so abundant as to make you feel "wet" all day long. You should know, however, that stress can affect vaginal discharge (causing either an increase or a discrease), as can birth control pills.
Sexual arousal, however, will almost always increase production
(that's normal!). During pregnancy you may have an abundance of discharge, while just after childbirth and during breastfeeding, discharge can decrease, making your vagina feel somewhat drier.
RED FLAGS: Discharge that appears grey/white or yellow/green
in color; is clumpy; or "cheesy" looking; a frothy or foaming dischrage of any color; exceptional amounts of discharge, particularly if it is runny, watery or very thin.
What This Means To You: For the large majority of women these particular "red flags" usually signal the presence of any number of simple vaginal infections. In a few rare instances they could also signal the presence of more complicated and serious problems including pelvic inflammatory disease, or even cancer.
However, as with all medical problems, the faster you are diagnosed the more likely it is that you will suffer no permanent consequences. So, don't panic - but don't avoid seeing your doctor.
To read about Sign # 2: Vaginal Odors :
