Sometimes a solution can create an even bigger problem. M. came into my office on Friday, worried about her increased vaginal discharge. She had started a new birth control pill several months earlier, and overall was happy with it. But she had noticed several episodes of spotting, and had taken to wearing pantiliners every day. M.'s spotting had stopped, but her pantiliner habit continued. She now has noticed more--and daily--discharge, and fears she may have an infection.

With apologies to Always et al, pantiliners are the bane of a vagina's existence. Yes, they're perfect for light flow days during your period when a tampon is not needed. And they're great after a bout of weekday-morning sex, when you still feel drippy but need to get to work. But there's no need to slap one on your undies every day. Your vagina is self-cleaning, and a certain amount of discharge (and even odor) are totally normal [link to earlier post]. Some women, though, use daily liners to "catch" their discharge to "protect" their underwear. Then their vagina can't breathe (could you, through that weave?), which actually increases the amount of discharge, starting a vicious cycle. Chemical irritants like douching, by the way, make it all worse.

We have this notion that we need to be bone-dry all the time (except if we're aroused, then we can't be too wet). But a little discharge on your vulva is okay--moisture keeps you from sticking or chafing. That's actually what underwear is for, to protect the rest of your clothes! So don't worry about protecting your panties--just change them during the day if you feel the need. I got M. to put away her pantiliners...are any of you going to try the same?