Is My Vaginal Discharge Normal?

Dear TeenHealthFX,

Hi I am a young female teen and I had a question about my vaginak health. My question is that if your vaginal discharge smelled is that normal?

[Vaginal discharge is a normal female bodily function, and during teenage years, the amount and thickness of discharge that girls experience may vary from day to day.

Healthy vaginal discharge:

• Tends to be white or clear
• Can have a mild odor

Potentially unhealthy discharge:

• Carry a strong odor
• Bloody
• Foamy
• Itchy
• Yellow or yellow-green in color

Since your discharge has an odor, TeenHealthFX suggests scheduling an appointment with your gynecologist or [adolescent medicine specialist. If you don't have a doctor and live in northern New Jersey, you can call the [Adolescent/Young Adult Center for Health at 973-971-5199 for an appointment with an adolescent medicine specialist or contact your local teen health center or [Planned Parenthood. You can also contact your insurance company for a list of in-network providers.

You did not mention if you are sexually active. Either way, TeenHealthFX would also like to encourage you to speak to your doctor about safer sex precautions for the future. Doctors generally recommend that teens and young adults who choose to be sexually active use [condoms each and every time they have sex to protect against unwanted pregnancies and the transmission of [STDs, as well as a back-up method of [birth control such as the pill or birth control shot. Your doctor can make the best recommendations for you and discuss with you how to use properly use birth control to maximize its effectiveness.

TeenHealthFX recommends the following resources for additional information:

• [Planned Parenthood: How much vaginal discharge is normal?