It's normal to have some vaginal discharge. But sometimes the vaginal area gets irritated and the vaginal discharge increases. Try these simple changes to make the irritation and vaginal discharge better.

• Use any ointment or cream as recommended by your health care provider.
• Soak once or twice a day in a tub of warm water (without soap) for 10–15 minutes. Be sure to spread your legs so the water cleans the vaginal area.
• To help ease vaginal irritation now and avoid it in the future:
  • Sleep in a nightgown or T-shirt instead of pajamas so air can move freely around the vaginal area during sleep. If comfortable doing so, sleep without underpants.
  • Wear white cotton underpants. 
  • Wear loose-fitting clothes rather than tights and leggings.
  • Take off wet bathing suits as soon as possible.
  • Always wipe from front to back after a bowel movement (poop).
  • Don't use soap in the vaginal area.
  • Take showers instead of baths. If taking a bath, avoid bubble bath and only use shampoo, conditioner, and soap at the very end of the bath. Don't sit in a tub with shampoo, conditioner, or soap in the water. Just before getting out of the tub, rinse the vaginal area with plain water.
  • Use unscented detergent when washing underwear and don't use fabric softener. 
  • Take a break from tampons if they cause irritation. Try pads or a menstrual cup instead.
  • Do not douche. It can make irritation worse and can lead to other health problems.

• Your symptoms aren't better after following your health care provider's instructions.
• Your vaginal discharge worsens, changes color, or develops a strong smell.
• The vaginal discharge goes away and then comes back again.
• It hurts to pee.
• You have belly pain.
• You have bleeding from the vagina that is not from a period.

• You have severe belly pain.

What is normal vaginal discharge? Normal vaginal discharge cleans and moistens the vagina, and helps to prevent and fight infections. Normal vaginal discharge is clear or white. It can be thin, thick, or stringy. The normal amount of discharge can vary between different people and throughout the month.

What can cause increased vaginal discharge? Vaginal discharge can increase from:

• irritation from strong soaps or detergents, not cleaning well after going to the bathroom, wearing wet or tight clothing, or using tampons
• an infection, including sexually transmitted infections (STIs, also called sexually transmitted diseases, or STDs)
• something stuck in the vagina, like a piece of toilet paper

How do health care providers find the cause of vaginal discharge? They consider the person's age, the color of the discharge, whether there are other symptoms such as belly pain or bleeding, and whether someone is sexually active. If they are concerned about an infection, they send a sample of the vaginal discharge to the lab for testing.