A secretion-monitoring article for identifying a secreted biological fluid. The article includes a body with an absorbent material for absorbing a biological fluid secreted from a person and an indicator system. The indicator system includes an indicator agent and an ion-balance reagent, wherein the indicator system provides an indication of physiological conditions associated with the pH or the buffer capacities of the biological fluid, which indication is stable for at least 48 and preferably at least 72 hours. The article can be embodied as a swab, gauze, shield, hygienic napkin, diaper or interlabial absorbent structure and can be used to indicate the presence of amniotic fluid, or secretions associated with bacterial vaginosis without giving a false positive result upon exposure to urine or after drying.