I don’t know about you but my S*x Ed class basically covered two topics:

1. A video about how to put a tampon in
2. If you have s*x you’ll definitely get an STD (FYI – not true) ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

That was it.

So, not only did I still have 0 clues about how to put a tampon in after sex-ed (or honestly even where tf my vaginal opening was), but I was also under the impression that getting an STD was as easy as getting a common cold but would be the end of the world if I ever got one. (Reminder: both are false).

When I was going through puberty I remember being SO freaked out about discharge. It immediately made me think of all of the TMI pics I’d seen of STD’s in my S*x Ed class. What I hadn’t learned, is that discharge is a big part of being the owner of a vagina, and discharge is typically healthy!

In this article, I will be breaking down a topic that is a universal experience for all people with a vagina – vaginal discharge. Yes, that mysterious, ever-present substance in our underwear, that leaves us wondering “WTF is that stuff in my underwear?”

What is Cervical Mucus?

Cervical mucus is a fluid that your cervix produces throughout your menstrual cycle. Everyone’s body is a little different, but your fluid will go through some sort of consistent changes throughout the month as a response to what your hormones are doing! Discharge plays a SUPER important role in the well-being and function of a vagina. It ensures everything stays clean, eliminates unnecessary bacteria, and helps to maintain a proper pH balance.

Normal vs. Abnormal Vaginal Discharge

Characteristics of Normal Discharge:

• Color might be clear, off-white, white, and/ or cream colored
• Viscosity shifts throughout your cycle as your hormones shift
• Can be dry, sticky, watery, stretchy, creamy, lotion-like, and/ or similar to egg whites in texture

Characteristics of Abnormal Discharge:

• Having color (yellow, brown, green, or grey)
• Clumpy texture/ consistency
• Strong/ offensive odor Itchy or has a burning sensation

How to Understand Your Cervical Fluid

Did you know that your cervical fluid (aka discharge from your cervix) can actually help to tell you if you’re fertile or not?
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Our cervical fluid changes in color, texture, and viscosity depending on where we are in the cycle.

Everyone’s body is a little different, but your fluid will go through some sort of regular cycle throughout the month as a response to what your hormones are doing. What you see in your underwear actually MEANS something in regard to your hormone health.

When I teach clients FAM (fertility awareness method), they learn how to read their cervical fluid as part of that, so that they can determine when they’re ovulating. This is especially helpful for womxn who are trying to achieve pregnancy.

How reliable is this?

Well, the body actually needs to make fertile cervical fluid in order to guide sperm to an unfertilized egg, so this process is very essential.

REMEMBER: The body’s goal (whether it is in alignment with our goals or not) is to get pregnant each month, so it is going to try and do all of the things it can to make that possible. When we can understand what that looks like and how it works, we can use that to our advantage to either achieve pregnancy or avoid it.

If reading your cervical fluid and knowing what your hormones are doing throughout your cycle is something you’re curious to dig into, here are a few resources to check out:

• Episode 17 of the Get Cliterate Podcast
• Intro to FAM Masterclass
• What is FAM + Who is it for?
• Can You Use FAM with Irregular Cycles?
• 4 Ways Practicing FAM Transformed My Life

If you’re someone who doesn’t produce a lot of cervical fluid, there are tips and tricks we can cover to either help your body produce more or things we can troubleshoot to ensure that you’re setting your body up to succeed! Click here to schedule a 1:1 call with me to create a game plan!

LET’S HAVE HEALTHY, HAPPY HORMONES TOGETHER! 👑🔥💫💖

Free resources:

• Join our *SECRET* Facebook Community
• Are My Hormones Imbalanced? Masterclass Learn how to identify hormone imbalances, where to start, + how to take charge of your symptoms! 
• What Is Non-Hormonal BC? Masterclass Learn more about non-hormonal birth control options, effectiveness, & how to get started! 
• Hormone Happy Grocery List: Your quick guide to hormone happy grocery shopping!
• Follow @caleeshea and @getcliterate on Instagram

Podcast episodes:

• Getting Off Hormonal Birth Control
• What is a normal period?
• Why do we get period cramps?
• Why you need to f**king sleep
• Natural Birth Control & Fertility Method
• Why inflammation happens and how to live a low inflammatory lifestyle
• PMDD and Cycle Wellness