The internet is a powerful tool, offering quick answers to questions that once went unsolved. “With a few mouse clicks and keystrokes… mysteries that would have stayed unsolved for decades can suddenly be resolved.”

A common example: women often notice light bleach-like stains on their underwear. It turns out this is completely normal and nothing to worry about.

The cause? The vagina’s natural acidity. “It’s completely normal to discover lighter patches… due to the acidic nature of the vagina, with a pH range of 3.8–4.5.” This acidity can actually bleach fabric, and rather than being a sign of poor hygiene, it signals a healthy vagina.

Dr. Vanessa MacKay of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists explains that the vagina “has a natural secretory system that allows it to clean itself.” It’s protected by healthy bacteria and is naturally acidic, with a pH between 3.8 and 5.0, according to the National Institutes of Health.

Discharge is also normal. As Dr. MacKay says, “It’s perfectly normal and healthy for women to have clear or white discharge.” So those faint stains? They’re just proof your body is doing its job.