Discharge: what it is, how to identify it, and how to track it in the Soso app

If you're reading this because you noticed some discharge in your underwear, take a breath. There's no need to worry right away.

Discharge can be a normal part of puberty and one of the changes you may notice as your body grows and changes.

Let's take a look at what you can pay attention to and, most importantly, how Soso can help you keep track of what you notice.

What is discharge?

Discharge is fluid that comes out of the vagina. During puberty, it's common to start noticing discharge in your underwear as your body goes through hormonal changes.

It can look different from day to day. Sometimes it may be clear, while other times it may look white or creamy. The amount and consistency can also change throughout your cycle.

When you notice discharge in your underwear, take a moment to see what it's like. When you noticed it, what it looked like, and whether you had any discomfort can all be useful things to keep track of.

When does discharge start?

Discharge can start during puberty, even before your first period.

So if you start noticing discharge in your underwear, it can simply be one of the changes that happens as your body goes through puberty.

As you keep tracking what you notice, you'll build a record of these changes over time.

That can also make it easier to remember when something started or explain what you've been noticing to a trusted adult if you ever want or need to talk about it.

How can you identify your discharge?

To understand what you notice in your underwear, it helps to look at two things separately: the texture (what the discharge looks like and how it feels) and the color. 

In Soso, both are in the Discharge section of the Log Day screen, organized so you can record them easily. This way, you can choose the option that looks most like what you noticed:

• Dry: days when you feel little or no moisture and don’t notice any discharge in your underwear. Tracking dry days also helps you see the phases of your cycle when your body produces less discharge.
• Sticky: discharge that feels thicker, firmer, or a little stretchy.
• Creamy: looks and feels a bit like a soft, thick moisturizer.
• Watery: thin and fluid discharge that can leave your underwear feeling wet.
• Egg white: Clear, shiny, and stretchy discharge.

You can also swipe through the options in the Discharge section to record the color and smell you noticed:

• Yellow: Discharge that looks slightly yellow or may turn yellowish after it dries on your underwear;
• Unusual: Choose this option if you notice a strong, sour, or unusual smell, different from the usual.  Also, greenish, grayish, or very dark discharge color outside of your period isn't considered normal.

When to talk to an adult?

Discharge is a normal part of puberty. But some signs are worth talking about with a trusted adult and, if they think it’s needed, a healthcare professional. Talk to someone if you notice:

• A strong, sour, or unusual smell
• Itching, burning, or pain
• Greenish or grayish discharge

You can write down what you noticed under Symptoms or Notes in Soso. That makes it easier to remember when it started and explain it to whoever is helping you.

What should you pay attention to when you notice discharge?

Now that you know some of the most common types, you can start noticing a few other details too.

The way your discharge looks, its consistency and amount, and whether you have any discomfort can all help you keep track of what's happening.

Soso lets you turn these observations into simple records. To get started, you can think about a few questions:

• What day did I notice it?
• What did it look like?
• Did the consistency or amount change?
• Did I notice any symptoms at the same time?
• Is there anything else I want to remember?

You don't need to write a whole paragraph. A few details are enough to look back on later and see what you noticed on different days of your cycle.

Can the smell and consistency change too?

Yes. Discharge can be more watery one day and creamier or thicker another. The amount can change too: some days you might notice just a little in your underwear, and on other days, more.

The smell can vary a little too. If it’s strong or different from what you usually notice, read the section “When to talk to an adult?” again. 

This is where tracking in Soso helps. You can note the day you noticed the change and any symptoms you had at the same time. Then, if you ever need to explain what happened, you’ll have your notes to look back on instead of relying only on memory.

How do you track discharge in the Soso app?

Now that you know what to look for and which changes are worth paying attention to, let's see how you can record them in Soso.

Ready to do it together? I'll walk you through each step, show you what you'll see on the screen, and explain what you can add to your record.

Once you've done it a few times, you'll know exactly where to go whenever you want to track a change.

1. Open Soso on the Home tab

When you open the app on the Home tab (for example, on Day 1 of your cycle), you’ll see your daily summary. Right below How’s your flow?, tap Add details >. 

2. Find the Discharge section on the Log Day screen 

When you tap Add details, you go straight to the Log Day screen, on the Period tab. Scroll down to the Discharge section. It’s just below Cramp intensity and above Symptoms.

You don’t need to tap everything. Take a calm look at the options.

3. Choose the texture

In the Discharge section, tap the option that best describes what you noticed: Dry, Sticky, Creamy, Watery, or Egg-white. Swipe the options to the side to see all of them.

If you'd like, you can also indicate the color Yellow, or tap Unusual to indicate a different color (such as gray or green) or smell (strong or sour).

4. Add details under Symptoms or Notes (optional)

If you noticed an unusual smell or any discomfort, such as itching or burning, you can select the relevant options under Symptoms or add a note under Notes.

5. Save your record

Check the options you chose and tap Save at the bottom of the screen. That’s it! Your information is saved in your history, so you can look back at it whenever you want. 

What if I don't know which option to choose?

If you're just starting to pay attention to discharge, you might look at the options and think, "I don't know which one looks like what I saw." That's okay. Learning to notice changes in your body takes time.

Don't try to guess if you're not sure. Go back to the descriptions in this article and choose the one that seems closest to what you noticed.

The more you use the app, the more familiar you'll become with the different options and what they mean.

And if you still have questions, Soso can help. You can explore the content about discharge or chat with Soso AI if you want to understand something specific.

READ MORE | Are You Ready for Your First Period? Quiz 

Start with what you notice

Noticed some discharge in your underwear? Now you know what to look for and how to record it in Soso.

The next time you notice a change, take a moment to observe it, record what you noticed, and keep tracking. Over time, Soso will build a record of the things you notice throughout your cycle.

And if you notice a symptom that bothers or worries you, ask for help. You don't need to know exactly what's going on before you talk to someone about it.

Don't have Soso yet? Download the app and come discover these changes with us.

Important: This content is for educational purposes only and isn't a substitute for medical evaluation. If you're worried about your development or have symptoms that concern you, talk to your mom, dad, another trusted adult, or a healthcare professional.

Frequently asked questions about discharge

Is it normal to have discharge before your first period?

It can happen. Discharge can start during puberty and may appear before your first period.

If you've started noticing discharge in your underwear, you can track it in Soso and keep an eye on what happens over the next few days.

Is clear discharge normal?

Clear discharge can be part of the changes you notice during puberty. It's also helpful to pay attention to whether you have any other symptoms along with it.

If something worries you, see the section “When to talk to an adult?” 

Is white discharge normal?

White or creamy discharge can also happen during puberty. It can look different at different times.

You can record what you notice in Soso and keep track of when this type of discharge appears.

Can I track discharge in Soso?

Yes. On the Log Day screen, the Discharge section has the options Dry, Sticky, Creamy, Watery, Egg-white, Yellow, and Unusual.

The app may change as new updates are released, so make sure you're using the latest version to see the fields and options available when you make your record.

Can tracking discharge help me understand my body?

Tracking can help you organize the things you notice over time. Later, you can look back at your records and see what you noticed on different days of your cycle.

If a change is worrying you, having these details written down can also make it easier to talk about what's happening with a trusted adult or healthcare professional.