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Does your underwear turn white in the middle? It’s more normal than you think

Vaginal discharge can cause your panties to turn white in the middle, but is it something you should be concerned about? Here's what you need to know.
Underwear stains
Don't overthink the vaginal discharge stains on your underwear! Image courtesy: Adobe Stock
Arushi Bidhuri Published: 14 May 2023, 15:00 pm IST
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Ladies, do you discard your panties pretty often because they get discoloured? If you end up buying a new pair every time they turn white in the middle, you can avoid it! It is nothing you should worry about. It is a common thing that many women get worried about when they shouldn’t because it is a sign of a normal, healthy vagina. Vaginal discharge is a healthy way for your body to get rid of fluid and old cells. But sometimes it could be a sign of something serious. So, read this before you throw your panties out due to a yellow or white stain on your panties.

Obstetrician and gynaecologist Dr Divya Vora took to her Instagram to share the reason behind the discolouration of your panties and why it’s not something you should worry about.

Should you throw your panties out because they turn white in the middle?

Buying new panties because they turn white in the middle is not something you should worry about. Dr Vora shares that it is absolutely normal and happens because of your vaginal discharge interacting with the colour of your panty. Vaginal discharge is acidic in nature and it makes our coloured panties bleached, which can lead to a bit of discolouration.

Underwear stains
The white in the middle of your underwear is common! Image courtesy: Adobe Stock

A healthy vagina has a natural pH level between 3.8 and 5, which is acidic in nature. Certain health conditions can affect your vaginal pH levels. It can even vary among premenarchal and postmenopausal women, as per the study published in the journal Diagnostics. Since there is nothing wrong with vaginal discharge, it being acidic and is a sign of a healthy vagina, you don’t need to throw your panties out.

However, watch out for changes in vaginal discharge

While having a white discharge is normal for most women, any changes in this discharge should not be taken lightly. By changes we mean, unusual odour, one that looks different from normal discharge. You should worry when vaginal discharge is accompanied by irritation, burning sensation or itching. Studies have shown that these could be signs of either a sexually transmitted disease or inflammation or infection.

Also Read: 5 likely reasons why you may be noticing more vaginal discharge than usual

Dr Vora notes that you should visit a doctor and get yourself checked if you see any changes in the colour of vaginal discharge, a change in consistency or itching if there’s any redness around your vulva.

How to get rid of vaginal discharge stains?

If you are concerned about the stains you see, and looking for ways to get rid of the stains, here are some ways you can try:

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  • Wash up each time you pee and clean it with a soft tissue to get rid of the stains.
  • Wearing pantyliner may help you keep the stains off your panties.
  • You should not worry too much about these stains and embrace it as it’s absolutely normal.

Also Read: This is a gynaecologist’s guide to underwear hygiene for a healthy vagina

underwear hygiene
Know how to get rid of underwear stains. Image courtesy: Shutterstock

Takeaway

Vaginal discharge is normal and can lead to discolouration of your underwear. If your underwear is turning white in the middle, it means that you have a healthy vagina, and you don’t have anything to worry about. Vaginal discharge is a healthy way for your body to get rid of the fluid and old cells. So, you don’t need to worry about it unless you see a change in the discharge such as an unusual smell, irritation, itching etc. If you notice any unusual signs, consult your doctor to avoid complications and severe infections.

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About the Author

Arushi Bidhuri is a journalist with 7 years of experience in writing, editing, and conceptualizing story ideas in different genres, including health and wellness, lifestyle, politics, beauty, fashion, etc. Arushi has a strong connection in the industry that helps her write concise and original stories as she believes in working towards writing pieces that can enlighten people. ...Read More

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