What is discharge?

It’s normal to have some vaginal discharge, because the vagina stays moist as part of its self-cleansing mechanism. Normal, moist discharge clears dead cells and bacteria from the vagina.

The amount of discharge varies depending on the woman and on the menstrual cycle. The consistency and amount of discharge can vary depending on the time of the month. The colour can also slightly change. Many women notice that in the week following a period there’s hardly any discharge.

In regards to a woman’s natural discharge, you can’t stop it from happening, although some women prefer to wear panty liners to protect their underwear.

You say your discharge is yellow and smells. Normal discharge is generally clear or slightly milky in colour, and should not smell bad, therefore, it’s possible you have an infection. This could be a bacterial infection, or possibly a sexually transmitted infection (STI). To find out for sure, make an appointment to see your doctor (GP). It may not be the easiest thing to talk about, but try not to feel embarrassed – they deal with this is the sort of complaint all the time.

But if you really can’t face your GP you could contact Brook, a charity that offers free and confidential advice for under-25s. It has clinics around the country, or you can visit their digital tool, Ask Brook.