Vaginal Health 101: A Naturopathic Approach

Written and medically reviewed by Dr. Courtney Ranieri, ND, a licensed naturopathic doctor registered with the College of Naturopaths of Ontario (Reg. #3726). Last reviewed July 2026.

When it comes to vaginal health, there are a lot of questions around what is 'normal'. Spoiler alert: a healthy vagina is 'normal' and everyone is different. That said, the vagina functions best at an optimal pH, balance of microflora and moisture level. Discharge, odour and discomfort are good indicators of vaginal (and by extension, hormonal) health. If you're interested in Pelvic Floor Therapy, check out this post.

1. Discharge

Vaginal discharge is totally normal and natural. It's a mix of vaginal secretions and cervical mucous that helps lubricate and clean the vaginal canal. We look at three things: consistency, volume and colour. Discharge is naturally odourless and clear or milky, and changes throughout your cycle: around ovulation it becomes more copious with a clear, 'egg-white' consistency; in the second half of the cycle it becomes thicker and whiter. The pill can suppress these changes.

Check in with your provider if you notice a yellow, green or grey hue (which could signal an infection or STI), a thick cottage-cheese consistency (a sign of a yeast infection), or any change in colour, amount, texture or odour that is abnormal for you.

2. Odour

Diet, fabrics and the balance of natural bacteria all affect vaginal odour. As long as a smell isn't new for you or unpleasant, it's usually completely normal. Check in with your provider if you notice a new fishy or musty odour, which could signal an infection or bacterial imbalance.

3. Discomfort

Sex, day-to-day activities and urination should all feel comfortable, not painful. Check in with your provider if you notice vaginal dryness (which can signal low estrogen), redness, itching or burning, spotting or bleeding between periods or post-menopause, pain during intercourse, or a mass in or outside the vagina.

A Naturopathic Approach to Optimizing Vaginal Health

Vaginal health is closely linked to overall health. As an ND, I focus on the underlying reasons for your concerns:

1. Balancing hormones, since hormones play a major role and symptoms can be an early indicator of imbalance.
2. Pelvic Floor Therapy (offered by Dr. Courtney) can help with pain, discomfort, prolapse and urinary incontinence.
3. Restoring the vaginal microbiome to promote a healthy bacterial ecosystem.
4. Optimizing diet, which is closely linked to recurring yeast infections or UTIs.
5. Targeted supplements to help symptoms, prevent recurrence and address deficiencies.
6. Ensuring proper immune function to help prevent future infections.

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About the author

Dr. Courtney Ranieri, ND is a board-licensed naturopathic doctor and the founder of Somewhere Health. She earned her Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine in Toronto and holds an Honours Bachelor of Science from the University of Western Ontario. Her clinical focus spans hormonal health, fertility, digestion, and women's health, with advanced training in pelvic floor therapy and integrative fertility care.

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