Genitalia in women include; the labia, vagina, and clitoris, the external areas of the sex organs. The vagina will often give off an odor and discharge as part of its daily routine. It is important for women to get to know their bodies, so they are able to catch problems early on. Since the dawn of time, women have been taught the vagina is dirty and told not to look or touch except to wipe. The truth is the vagina is a part of you and just as you would explore your mouth and teeth, you should also explore your vagina. Learning its normal smells and discharges will help you notice immediately when things are off.

Cleaning the vagina is important, but very simple. You never want to be too rough around the vagina as you could unknowingly cause small rips and tears which can lead to a bacterial infection.  You can clean the vagina with a mild soap while in the shower; make sure to clean around the anal area as well. You don’t need to clean inside the vagina or anus; the body has its own internal cleaning system. Douche should never be done. The vagina is full of good and bad bacteria and while douching will get rid of the bad bacteria, it will also destroy the good, disease fighting bacteria.

Discharge is a normal occurrence; this is the vagina’s way of removing bacteria from the body. The discharge will change throughout the menstruation cycle, so it is a good idea to know what to expect. Thick, white discharge normally occurs at the beginning or end of your cycle. If the discharge is accompanied with itchy, it may indicate a yeast infection. If the discharge is clear and stretchy it simply means you are ovulating. Clear and watery discharge is normal at any point in your cycle. Brown discharge usually happens right after your period and is just old blood coming out. Yellow or green discharge is the bad kind, this indicates an infection. Also, if your discharge has a foul odor to it or you feel pain in the vagina, this also indicates infection.

If you have any sort of discharge or smell that is abnormal its best to consult your doctor. Females also need to be seen by their doctor once a year for a physical checkup. During this check up, the doctor will make sure all your internal and external organs are working properly. He or she will also feel your uterus to make sure it is healthy. You should get a pap smear each year; this is done by taking some cell samples from the cervix and then testing them for cancer or other diseases.