Many women know this: in dark panties you suddenly see a light, faded stain, against which not even the washing machine can do anything. It’s quite annoying, but completely natural. This is due to vaginal discharge. What exactly it does with our underwear and how you can prevent your panties from fading – STYLEBOOK knows.
Every woman experiences vaginal discharge from time to time and it’s not only normal, it’s also important. The milky-white, odorless discharge helps protect the vagina from pathogens. Depending on the phase of the cycle, more or less of it is produced, i.e. a mixture of fluid from the cervix and skin cells from the vagina, as reported by “Frauenärzte im Netz”. The lactic acid bacteria contained in the secretions support the protective function of the vaginal environment, but are also responsible for the fading of our underwear.
Also interesting: Recognizing and treating vaginal candidiasis – advice from the gynecologist
The reason why the discharge bleaches the panties
The reason why your favorite panties are leaking is very simple: the secretion is acidic. Due to the lactic acid bacteria it contains, it has a pH between 3.8 and 4.5, which is actually corrosive enough to bleach fabrics. For comparison: Lemon juice has a pH value of 2.4 and, in combination with the sun, is able to lighten our hair permanently. This process is called oxidation and it manifests itself in our underwear. Because if some of the secretions end up in the briefs and the briefs come into contact with the air, bright spots are inevitable.
Also of interest: 7 things you can do for your vagina after 40
How to prevent secretions from panty bleaching?
A woman can’t just turn off the discharge. So, if you want to keep your favorite panties from fading, you should at least use panty liners on days when there is a lot of secretion. The body usually produces the greatest amount of secretion just before ovulation and just before the start of the menstrual period. The thin insert creates a protective layer between the vagina and the panties – and can thus prevent one or the other staining. Alternatively, from now on you can switch to light colored underwear, in which faded stains are not so visible.
