Um... moisture, discharge, pads, and other stuff my mommy never told me about

[AubreyRenee]

Okay, I'm 3 months post-op and things seem to be settling into a normal pattern. I'm not bleeding anymore and most of the really painful sores are gone now. It's not perfect but it's a fair shot more liveable than it was last month. I was told to wear pads as needed. (Believe me: in the past three months I've needed it _bad,_ between the blood and discharge and all that.) However I'm getting far less discharge now and decided to give up the pads.

Problem now is that the discharge is staining my panties. I know this isn't uncommon but I'm just not used to seeing a yellowish-brown tinge to my undies. Is this normal / something I'm just going to have to get used to? It's moist down there all the time.

Mind, I think I know the answer to this one but i'd love to hear any tips or tricks folks may have to offer.

[Ann Onymous]

Mind, I think I know the answer to this one but i'd love to hear any tips or tricks folks may have to offer.

don't wear white?

sorry, but cannot think of much else to offer...after all, if you are still having a discharge, then it would seem that at least a light pad may still be in order.  I never had significant issues with bleeding or discharge and so the whole three-months and still seeing a discharge is throwing me for a little bit of a loop. 

[Dinky_Di]

Use a light panty liner to protect your pants, particularly with light coloured ones.  Another of the joys of womanhood.

[FairyGirl]

what sort of lube are you using for dilation?  That may account for some of the moistness and discharge.  I remember I still had to wear a light pad for a while.  I used Always maxipads which are small and not too intrusive.  Also be careful with tight clothes at this stage- you may have some swelling still and that area needs to get some air for good healing.   Best advice- consult your surgeon's office and make sure this is normal for you.  But I would expect at this stage some discharge is not uncommon.

[peggygee]

Pre and post operatively, I have occasionally worn panty liners. 



Pre operatively I would wear them to smooth the genital area while tucking, I also wore them to have an air of freshness.

Post operatively, I may wear them because much like natal females we also have vaginal discharges.

From Wikipedia:

A pantiliner (also pantliner, panty liner or panty shield) is an absorbent piece of material used for feminine hygiene. It is worn in the gusset of a woman's panties. Some uses include: absorbency for daily vaginal discharge, light menstrual flow, tampon backup, spotting, post-intercourse discharge and urinary incontinence.

Pantiliners are related to sanitary napkins in their basic construction - but are usually much thinner and often narrower than pads. As a result they absorb much less liquid than pads - making them ideal for light discharge and everyday cleanliness, but generally unsuitable for menstrual flow or medium to heavy incontinence.

Pantiliners are found in an assortment of sizes, shapes, scents and portability options, ranging from tiny, compact liners to long, protective liners designed for heavy vaginal discharge and light days (light menstrual flow). There are even styles designed to fit with thong underwear.

[Debra]

At 3 months post-op myself, liners are my best friend! I go through at least 2 a day still.

Then again I end up having to go back to pads for a day or 2 when I get silver nitrate treatments for my granulation tissue...but only a couple more of those left thankfully

[Renate]

Always pantiliners come in the double pack of 120 count.

[juliemac]

LOL. I got bulk pads at Sams club. My daughter stole most of them by now 
Nice that we can share!

[Re: Joyce]

I was told I'd need pads for a year and I'm just over 3 months.   Mine are only lightly damp at this point and I'm considering "panty-liners".  I have gone without and also stained clothing.  Sooo, I'll wear pads.  Always brand is also my favorite.  I'm dilating 3 times a day, so I'm using 3 pads.

     I use baby oil for lubricant, which gets absorbed, so I don't get much excess lube accumulation.

     Patience is the operative term.

[mm]

Just part of life when you have a vagina, I was born with mine and use minipads several times to absorb the leakage during the month. This has been the case for me since puberty.  I will be glad to get on T and hopefully it will stop.

[Marta]

im not sure if feminine hygiene products will work the same way on a post operative vagina but you can try using something like summers eve its just a wash which is intended especially for freshness and things like that. I use it mainly when i finish my period because it does get more moist and stuff like that and then after that just wear a pantyliner. Liners are better for using on any day since they are thinner. You can also try something like a powder there are some you can put on your underwear and they will absorb odors and discharge.

[ajborelli]

Coming from someone who was born female I wear panty liners all the time. Just in case I have some discharge. I use ones from kotex and they are cheap and tiny they also have light days ones which are a bit thicker. I say try that. If it stains them don't worry about it. I have some that are stained that I just wear when I am on my period (that I sadly still have)

[Annah]

gotta wear a pantyliner. You're gonna get some discharge for a couple more months here and there.

They are nothing like pads so you dont have to feel like you are sitting on a diaper cushion

[Muffins]

The ones that they give you in Thailand (Suporn) I thought wear comfortable until I ran out and had to buy more. WOW ....I've tried several different kinds now and some are really comfortable eerrrrr except when you're out and about and a pube gets down and around on the sticky back.. wwaahhh!?! the ->-bleeped-<-? *adjusts and hopes no one saw*. 0_o
I'm down to the little ones which are so small you can't even tell they're there, I go through one a day now as I will put some extra soft tissues over throughout the day.. I figure tissues are cheaper than pads and they help make them last a whole day! Then no tissue for overnight, dilate in the morning and then a fresh one! ^_^

[AubreyRenee]

Thank you for all the advice! It's good to hear that this is one of those issues that happen to everybody, trans or cis.

Man, having a vagina is just a total pain. An awesome pain, but a pain nonetheless.

[Karynm8621]

I'm noticing the only time I really need them is after dilation. I generally shower in the afternoon because my job is a dirty one. When i'm able to shower in the am after dilation i haven't needed them at all.