Many women feel extremely panicked when they discover yellow substances on their underwear while washing them, fearing they might have a gynecological disease. What exactly are these yellow substances on women's underwear? Let's delve into it together.
What is the yellow substance on women's underwear?
The yellow substance on women's underwear is vaginal discharge, commonly known as leucorrhea. It consists of two parts: one secreted by the cervical glands and the other by the endometrial glands and the glands beside the vaginal opening. Vaginal discharge, like engine lubricant, is essential for maintaining the normal function of the vagina and also serves as a lubricant. However, normal leucorrhea is colorless, transparent, or slightly yellow. The appearance of yellow discharge on underwear might indicate a health issue.
Why does yellow substance appear on underwear?
1. Trichomoniasis
If the vaginal discharge is yellow or yellowish-green, has a peculiar odor, and is accompanied by a burning and itching sensation, it is a clear sign of a gynecological health issue. This condition is often caused by frequent vaginal infections and can even lead to trichomonal vaginitis. Trichomoniasis is usually spread through two main routes: sexual transmission and contact transmission. Sexual transmission is straightforward to understand, while contact transmission refers to situations like public baths, public toilets, and sharing private towels.
2. Cervical diseases
If the yellow liquid on the underwear is thick and contains some blood streaks, it could be a sign of cervical diseases, such as chronic cervicitis or even cervical cancer in severe cases. If this occurs, it is best to visit a hospital for a cervical examination. If it is indeed a malignant tumor, early detection and treatment can be achieved.
What aspects should women pay attention to when caring for their private parts?
1. Preferably hand wash underwear
Some women, out of laziness, wash their underwear in a washing machine along with other clothes, which can easily lead to contamination of the underwear. Think about how many times your washing machine has been cleaned internally in a year—probably not even once. This provides a breeding ground for mold. Underwear contaminated with mold from the washing machine is prone to fungal vaginitis. Additionally, if a family member has athlete's foot, washing underwear and socks together in the washing machine can also lead to mold contamination. Hand washing underwear is the wiser choice.
2. Do not overuse pads
Especially during ovulation, vaginal discharge can be quite heavy, prompting many women to use pads to avoid staining their underwear. Some women even use sanitary pads outside of their menstrual period, which is not a healthy choice for vaginal health. Pads have poor breathability, and the warm, moist environment they create is ideal for bacterial growth, making it easier to trigger vaginitis. Therefore, except for the days around menstruation, it is best not to overuse pads.
3. Do not overly rely on gynecological washes
Proper cleaning is essential for maintaining vaginal health, but this does not necessarily mean using gynecological washes every time. The vagina has its own self-cleaning capabilities. Long-term use of gynecological washes may kill beneficial bacteria, leading to an imbalance in the vaginal flora and potentially harming the vaginal health environment.
If there is a yellow substance on women's underwear, it is best to visit a hospital for a gynecological check-up to rule out any gynecological diseases. It is also important to develop hygienic habits and properly care for the private parts in daily life.
