Your Guide To Vaginal Discharge When Trying To Donate Eggs

While vaginal discharge is totally normal, it is not something most of us want to deal with every day. It can stain your underwear, making you regret spending any money on owning fancy garments in the first place. Still, discharge plays an important (and mysterious) role in your life. This is especially the case if you intend to donate your eggs. Understanding the way your body is responding will help you make your donation. 

1 - Discharge is your body's way of cleaning the vagina.

That's right, discharge plays a vital function by eliminating water, bacteria, and even cells. You may notice that the amount of discharge that leaves your body is connected to your diet, exercise, and other lifestyle habits. If the doctor has put you on birth control pills or other hormonal medications before donation, this will also influence the way your body releases discharge.

2 - Your discharge changes with your menstrual cycle.

You are likely to experience more vaginal discharge when you are ovulating. During this time, discharge may also appear stretchier, as the discharge works to create a hospitable environment for egg and sperm to unite. Obviously, if you are taking hormones, your discharge will look a lot different if you are not menstruating. 

3 - Discharge changes color frequently.

Many women notice that discharge appears yellow rather than clear just before their period. Immediately after, the discharge may be brown and still contain hints of blood. It is not uncommon to experience break-through bleeding while taking hormones before the egg donation. This can make your discharge appear brown or bloody. It is important to relay this to the doctor.

4 - Discharge can tell you if something is wrong.

Do you notice that your discharge smells bad, or even just more intense than normal? Does your discharge appear chunk and white? If you notice significant changes to your discharge, you may benefit from a  visit with the doctor.

5 - You should never douche.

This process actually washes out healthy bacteria that keeps infection out. The result could be a painful yeast infection. This is especially important before egg donation, as you do not want to introduce anything that could change the way your body reacts from its normal state.

6 - Don't wear panty liners constantly.

Unfortunately, this will keep your undergarments clean, but also lead to infection. Panty liners can block the flow of air through underwear, forcing that region of your body to retain heat and sweat. The result can be bacteria or fungus.

Many women do not think about their vaginal discharge as a window into what is going on inside the body, but if you are going through the process of egg donation, you may want to stay up to speed with what is happening. To find out more, speak with someone like Missouri Center for Reproductive Medicine.