Many people might overlook small changes in their underwear, but sometimes, those little signs can reveal serious health issues. If you ever notice brownish or yellow stains in your underwear like the ones shown in the picture above, it’s important not to ignore them.

This kind of discoloration could indicate a bacterial or fungal infection, abnormal vaginal discharge, or in some rare cases, a sign of cervical cancer. Women’s underwear can reveal a lot about reproductive health — from hormonal imbalances to infections caused by poor hygiene or an unbalanced pH level.

In some instances, unusual discharge accompanied by itching, pain, or odor may be a symptom of conditions such as:

• Bacterial vaginosis (BV)
• Yeast infection (Candida)
• Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
• Cervical inflammation or early-stage cancer

Doctors emphasize the importance of paying attention to your body’s signals. If you notice:

• Persistent stains even after washing,
• Itching or irritation,
• Unusual odor or pain,

 See a gynecologist immediately. Early detection is key to preventing more serious health problems.

Remember: changes in color, texture, or smell in discharge should never be ignored. Your underwear might be quietly warning you that something isn’t right — so listen to your body and take action early.

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The genital area, including the surrounding skin is very delicate and can easily be damaged. There are a number of ways to protect and look after your genital skin – find out more below.

Do use plain water or an emollient to wash your genitals. Whilst water is fine to use alone, we recommend washing with an emollient such as aqueous cream, diprobase or double base. These are available from a pharmacy or supermarket (and online) and are very cost effective. You can apply the emollient like a cream to your genital skin before getting in the bath or shower, this will act like a barrier to other soaps and shampoos you might use. Rinse the area well when you are finished washing. Emollients are safe for daily use. If you have dry genital skin apply some before bed every night. Do allow fresh air to get to your genital skin! During the winter months, our genitals rarely get a chance to breathe due to us wearing multiple layers to keep warm! And in the summer, our genitals can get hot and sweaty, due to the temperature outside! When you can, e.g. when you’re at home in the evening watching  TV and when you are sleeping – try to go underwear free! A loose fitting pair of pyjama bottoms works well, to cover your modesty but allows some air flow to get to the area. Do wear cotton (or cotton gusset) underwear. Cotton material allows our skin to breathe, whereas manmade fibres don’t and can make your skin hot, causing irritation. You should preferably use a non-biological washing powder/liquid to wash your underwear