Stigma around vaginal discharge is preventing women from getting the help they need. While we have made some strides in tacking taboos surrounding women’s health, there are still some topics that many of us are uncomfortable discussing even with our doctors. In fact, according to new research conducted by Femtech health brand Daye, a quarter of people surveyed said they would feel too ashamed to raise concerns about discharge with their GP and almost half wouldn’t speak to their pharmacist about it, either. This research was commissioned by Daye for their ‘Discharge The Taboo’ campaign, which aims to challenge misconceptions around vaginal discharge and reframes discharge as data. For the most part, discharge is a sign of a healthy body doing its job, and when it changes, it’s one of the clearest early signals that something may be wrong. We need to crack down on the shame around vaginal discharge According to Daye, health experts say delaying conversations about changes in vaginal discharge could mean infections and other gynaecological conditions take longer to be diagnosed, underlining the importance of recognising changes and seeking advice when something doesn’t seem right. To help break down this taboo, Daye has launched The Stains Explained series featuring gynaecological expert, founder, and CEO of the brand Valentina Milanova. In this series, the brand have created videos which explain the difference between normal vaginal discharge and the warning signs, helping women build confidence in understanding their bodies and encouraging more open conversations. Commenting on the shame surrounding discharge, Milanova added: “Vaginal discharge is a normal, healthy part of the body’s natural defence system, yet generations of women have grown up believing it’s something to hide. “Schools hardly educated us on it, doctors rarely bring it up unprompted, and a lack of funding into women’s health research has only widened the gap. Social media has also stepped into that gap with misinformation and widespread women’s health content censorship.” When to worry about vaginal discharge According to their guide: Yellow or green discharge could signify an STI such as chlamydia - a condition that must be treated promptly to prevent long-term health issues Grey discharge, especially if watery or fishy, often indicates bacterial vaginosis and usually requires antibiotics Pink or red discharge can be a result of irritation or cervical bleeding, while red outside of a period could indicate infection or in rare cases, cervical cancer Milanova says: “Too many women are suffering in silence, and that’s not their failure; it’s the failure of a healthcare system that continuously neglects female physiology. “Better body literacy helps women know that there’s nothing to be ashamed of, and enables them to seek medical advice sooner when needed and avoid unnecessary worry when they don’t.” Daye’s at-home testing solutions are designed to help remove some of the barriers created by stigma and access, giving women objective health information they can take into clinical conversations with healthcare professionals to support earlier and more informed care. Related... Five Things Your Gynaecologist Wants You To Know This Is How Your Periods Change In Your Teens, 20s, 30s and 40s Early Detection Is Key In Treating Cervical Cancer. Here Are 3 Symptoms To Look For