White goo in my pants: is that normal?

What it most likely is is just normal vaginal discharge⁠ (discharge: In the context of sex and sexual health, any number of fluids which come from the genitals. Plenty of genital discharge is healthy, while some discharges can be symptoms of illness.) .

We have a good piece which outlines what is or is not normal here – Honorably Discharged: A Guide to Vaginal Secretions – but I’m happy to put it into more context for you here.

Basically, throughout most or all of your fertility⁠ (fertility: The ability to become pregnant or other things having to do with becoming pregnant (eg, “the fertility clinic”).) cycle – from day one of your period⁠ (period: The fluid – or flow – which contains blood, from the shedding of the uterine lining usually at the end of each menstrual cycle. Sometimes periods may be less fluid and more globby; this is the state that is often mistaken for blood clotting.) through the time until your next period agains, every single cycle – you’ve got different types of vaginal discharges and cervical mucus. Some of that varies depending on where you’re at in your cycle. Around ovulation⁠ (ovulation: The process in the human menstrual/fertility cycle where a mature ovarian follicle ruptures and releases ova.) , for instance, that mucus and discharges tend to be very thin, clear and fluid, whereas towards the end of your cycle, they tend to be thicker, whiter or yellower and more chalky: sometimes so thick, in fact, that it won’t even move down your vagina⁠ (vagina: The internal passage leading from the opening of the vulva to the cervix of the uterus.) to your pants to see. Too, things like becoming sexually aroused creates a different type of vaginal fluid. You also have sweat mixed in all that sometimes, and, of course, menses⁠ (menses: The flow during menstruation, composed mostly of endometrium, including blood. Sometimes flow contains portions of the endometrium as solid tissue, which is often confused with blood clots.) (your period), which also can vary during your period, as you’ve probably noticed.

If a person is sexually active⁠ (sexually active: Someone who has had or is currently having some kind of genital sex with a partner or partners.) , and contracts a sexually transmitted infection⁠ (infection: When harmful microbes, or germs, or harmful levels of microbes/germs, enter the body and multiply, causing illness. The common cold, flu viruses, sexually transmitted infections, chickenpox, impetigo, rabies and diphtheria are some kinds of infections.) , some STIs, too, may produce certain discharges or changes in discharge. Even when you’re not sexually active, you might wind up with a bacetrial or yeast infection⁠ (yeast infection: An infection of the vagina caused by an overgrowth of the yeast Candida albicans, which naturally lives on the body. (candidiasis)) now and then – just due to imbalances in your body and vagina - and those can cause changes in discharges.

Normal discharges are just that: normal. They’re part of your fertility cycle, and also an important part of how your vagina keeps itself clean⁠ (clean: In a sexual context, usually a word used to suggest a person doesn’t currently have anysexually transmitted infections. That term, however, stigmatizes people with illness. Less stigmatizing choices are “negative,” “clear” or “STI-free.”) and in good health (that’s why it’s never a good idea to try and clean out⁠ (out: Short for ‘out of the closet’. When someone’s LGBTQ+ identity is known to other people.) inside the vagina or douche: your vag has already got you covered there, and it does a way better job than you can in keeping clean). And all in all, if you a) haven’t been sexually active and have no reason to suspect you have an STI⁠ (STI: Sexually transmitted infections: illness, infection and/or disease which is often or can be transmitted through sexual or other intimate contact, like HIV, Chlamydia or Herpes. Some people call STIs STDs.) (or have been, but have recently been tested and know you’re all clear), and b) aren’t seeing any funky colors – like greenish or grayish discharge, weird textures – like a cottage cheesy discharge – aren’t having any sort of itching or burning, and aren’t finding your discharge suddenly smells different than it ever has, there’s no reason to worry that your discharges aren’t normal.

And if they are plain old healthy discharges, there’s no reason to do anything about them: you just let them be.

If in doubt, by all means, go and see your general doctor, gynecologist⁠ (gynecologist: (Pronounced guy-na-coll-o-jist) A doctor that specializes in the health of the uterus, ovaries, vagina, and vulva. . They may also be referred to as “OB/GYNs” or, informally, “gynos”.) or sexual⁠ (sexual: About or relating in some way to sex or sexuality.) health clinic: whomever you prefer to see for your reproductive healthcare. If you’ve started menstruating, then it’s time to consider getting that health care once a year anyway, just for preventative health: young adults⁠ (adults: People whose age in years exceeds the legal age of majority, people considered to be adults by law, or people who a culture or individual considers to have reached an adult stage of life.) and adults with vaginas should ideally have a gynecological exam⁠ (gynecological exam: A physical examination usually for those with a vulva/vagina.) once a year, and sexually active women should have a yearly STI screen, at a minimum, as part of that.

Here are a couple of extra pieces, besides the one I already tossed your way above, to fill you in a little more on what the what is down there and how to be sure you’re in good sexual health:

• On the Rag: A Guide to Menstruation (which also explains more on cervical mucus)
• Innies and Outies: The Vagina, Clitoris, Uterus, and More
• Your First Gynecologist Visit