Our vaginas can be somewhat of a mystery and caring for them can seem puzzling too. But it’s actually pretty simple to take care of your vagina, or your vulva, which is the term for the external part of the female genitalia (the vagina is really just the internal canal that goes from the vulva to the cervix). Let’s see…

The female sexual anatomy consists of external and internal reproductive organs. For the purpose of this article, we’re going to focus on the external female genital organs—your vulva:

 Mons Pubis: area covered by pubic hair, mound of tissue above the pubic bone

Clitoris: erectile/sensitive part of the female genitals, covered by the clitoral hood

Labia: cover and protect the opening of the vagina, urethra, and clitoris; labia majora are the larger outer folds of skin, labia minora, sometimes called “lips,” are the thinner flaps on either side of the vaginal opening

Urethra: small opening where pee/urine comes out

Anus: opening of the rectum where poop/stool comes out

Vaginal opening: entrance of the vagina where menstrual blood comes out; also used for sexual intercourse and childbirth

Let’s Take Care of that Vulva 

A Few More Things…

Douching: Some females feel that douching—cleaning the inside of the vagina with a mixture of fluids or water—is necessary to keep their vagina clean. This is not true. In fact, doctors generally advise against vaginal douching. Your natural discharge flushes out bacteria and anything else that may be in there, like blood from your period or sperm from sexual intercourse. Your body actually makes a type of good bacteria called lactobacillus that keeps your vagina healthy and balanced. Lactobacilli keep the vagina acidic, which helps prevent the growth of bad bacteria. Douching washes away your good bacteria and allows harmful bacteria to grow. So, keep your vagina healthy and clean by not douching.

Vaginal Discharge: Don’t be embarrassed about vaginal discharge. All females experience some type of vaginal discharge.

Normal vaginal discharge has a white, light yellow or clear color and a jelly-like or egg white-like consistency. It may have a mild, salty odor or no odor at all. You may notice discharge during different times of the month. Clear, mucus-like discharge is normal some days before your body ovulates (when your body is getting ready to release an egg). This type of discharge is called cervical mucus and is letting you know that you are fertile and can become pregnant. Cervical mucus helps carry the sperm to meet the egg for fertilization. Your natural vaginal scent may also change depending on where you are in your menstrual cycle.

What if my discharge is brown? Do not panic. Brownish discharge sometimes occurs at the beginning or end of your menstrual cycle and is normal. It is often “old blood” that wasn’t pushed out during your menstrual flow. Remember, the beginning of your menstrual cycle is counted on the first day of heavy/normal flow.

Abnormal vaginal discharge may be clumpy and white, greyish-white, or yellowish-green. You may notice other symptoms that will give you a clue that your discharge is abnormal, such as vaginal itching, burning, strong (fishy) odor, pelvic pain, pain during sex, bleeding after sex, painful urination, or bleeding between periods. If you notice any of these symptoms, you should schedule an appointment with your doctor. Abnormal vaginal discharge can be related to having an STI (aka STD) or overgrowth of bad bacteria. Keep in mind though that some bacterial infections, like gonorrhea and chlamydia, may have no symptoms. Also, not all vaginal odor is caused by an infection; sometimes it can be due to poor hygiene.

Teen-Friendly NOLA Clinics

Clinics that serve adolescents usually focus on the reproductive health needs of adolescents and young adults but may also provide primary care services. The ages served vary depending on the clinic, but they usually include preteens (11 or 12 years old), teens (12-17 years old), and young adults (18-24 years old).

School-Based Health Centers

SBHCs provide STD testing and birth control education. These facilities cannot prescribe birth control.

SBHC that provides care to all adolescents in the community:

Sci High
5625 Loyola Ave.
New Orleans, LA 70115
(504) 613-5648

SBHCs that only provide care to students that attend their schools:

ORLEANS PARISH

Cohen College Prep
3520 Dryades St.
New Orleans, LA 70115
(504) 613-5648

Warren Easton
3036 Iberville St.
New Orleans, LA 70119
(504) 324-7880

ST. BERNARD PARISH

Chalmette High School
1100 E. Judge Perez Dr.
Chalmette, LA 70043
(504) 333-6988

JEFFERSON PARISH

Bonnabel High School
2801 Bruin Dr.
Kenner, LA 70065
(504) 303-6676

John Ehret High School
4300 Patriot St.
Marrero, LA 70072
(504) 371-1318

Riverdale High School
240 Riverdale Dr.
New Orleans, LA 70121
(504) 834-5026

West Jefferson High School
2200 8th St.
Harvey, LA 70058
(504) 367-4407