Question:
“Is it normal for women to have “smegma” of sorts on their clitoris or the lips sometimes as a form of discharge? or does that mean yeast infection or unbalanced pH?”
Answer:
You made me laugh using the term “vaginal smegma” so good on you! Yes, it is normal for discharge to be visible on the external genitalia. Women secrete 1-4 ml of discharge over 24 hours, and some of that may be sticky and adhere to the genital area. Your vagina is expert at regulating its own pH, so if there is no infection, you don’t need to worry about pH. As long as there isn’t a bad odor, that alone is not an indication of infection. Symptoms of infection include odor, increasing discharge, burning, itching, redness, and pain with sex or urination. A yeast infection presents typically as “cottage cheese-like” discharge, and may include swelling, redness, itching, burning or pan. The best way to know if you have an infection is a visit to the GYN.
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