Sense Project

Click on the image to enlarge the chart!

I love this chart SO MUCH. I find it’s super-helpful for learning about how vaginal fluid (or “discharge”) looks and feels over the course of a menstrual cycle. It’s awesome because it accepts that vaginal fluid is a healthy part of your body and provides a range of possibilities of what it can be like. I also like how it provides a “Symptoms of true vaginal infection” list alongside. Click below to read more!

So what is “vaginal fluid” and how is it different from “cervical fluid”?

Cervical fluid comes from tissue of the cervix. The cervix, uterus and vagina all secrete fluids that come out of the vagina - in this sense, cervical fluid is part of your vaginal fluid. Cervical fluid tends to vary the most visibly over the menstrual cycle and can also be an indicator of when you might be ovulating - which is why the author of the chart has focused on the cervix (see “Where can I learn more??” below for more about the author).

Vaginal fluid varies significantly over the course of your menstrual cycle, and can also fluctuate depending on things like whether you’re on medication, under stress or having sex. For instance, if you’re on birth control medication or you aren’t ovulating, you might find that your fluid doesn’t vary as much over your cycle. And if you’ve recently had sex, you might notice an increase in fluid.

Can I tell if I have an STI by looking at my vaginal fluid?

Getting to know your own body’s cycle of vaginal fluid release is a great way to monitor your sexual health, alongside regular STI check-ups. For instance, if you know that every two or three weeks your vaginal fluid gets kind of thick and white (or even “crumbly” - see the chart!), it won’t be a stressful surprise the next time it happens.

If you notice that the smell of your fluid changes all of a sudden, however, or that your fluid becomes yellowish or clumpy, it’s probably time for a check-up. The best thing to do is talk to a physician if you suspect you may have an infection, and to go for an STI check-up before and after you start seeing a new partner. It’s also important to remember that not all STIs produce changes in vaginal fluid, so check-ups are important regularly whether or not you notice something unusual going on. Speaking of which, did you know Head & Hands is having a Rapid HIV Testing Clinic on March 31st?

Where can I learn more??

Oh yeah - in case you’d like to read more, this chart comes from Toni Weschler’s book, “Taking Charge of Your Fertility.” While it’s definitely targeted at folks who would like to get pregnant (and the book is somewhat heterosexist and couples-focused in that it only talks about heterosexual couples), the author also stresses the benefits of both men and women getting to know reproductive bodily fluids and cycles, regardless of whether or not they want to have kids. I found it pretty interesting reading for anyone wanting to know more about the menstrual cycle and sexual health, especially when it comes to your cervix and vagina. (Did you know that the cervix can change shape over the menstrual cycle?? I sure didn’t!)

Scarleteen has a couple of great posts related to vaginal fluid that you should check out here and here, and there’s also a super-informative, trans-positive entry here, thanks to San Francisco’s Hassle Free Clinic.