I've never had my period, so what's this discharge?
-- Laura

About 6 months to a year before a girl gets her first period, her body may start to produce a vaginal discharge. This is normal and is caused by the changing level of hormones in a girl's body and the increase in secretions in the vagina. This discharge helps to keep the vagina healthy.

Normal vaginal fluids vary in texture from thin and slightly sticky to thick and gooey. They vary in color from clear to white or off-white. The amount of discharge can also vary depending upon a girl's menstrual cycle. For example, fluids tend to be a bit heavier around the time a girl ovulates, which is when an egg is released from the ovary and moves into the fallopian tube.

Normal discharge should have a slight odor and should never cause itching or burning. Symptoms like itching, a strong odor, or a change in color (such as brown, gray, or green) indicate that a girl may have a vaginal infection and needs to see a doctor.

Sometimes a normal vaginal discharge can irritate the skin. This is due to the moisture against the skin. You can prevent skin irritation in the vaginal area, especially when it's hot and humid outside, by wearing cotton underwear and avoiding clothes like tight jeans and pantyhose that don't let your skin breathe. It is also important to keep your body clean by bathing on a regular basis - although keeping clean doesn't typically require the use of feminine sprays or douches.

Find out more by reading these articles:

All About Menstruation
Are Changes in My Vaginal Discharge OK?
Coping With Common Period Problems
Female Reproductive System
The Deal With Feminine Hygiene

Updated and reviewed by: Barbara P. Homeier, MD
Date reviewed: September 2004
Originally reviewed by: Neil Izenberg, MD