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Vaginal Discharge
Vaginal discharge is a clear or whitish fluid that comes out of your vagina. Discharge is
normal, but changes in the amount, consistency, color or smell could indicate an infection or
other problem.
Possible Causes
Care and Treatment
When to Call the Doctor
OVERVIEW
Women or people assigned female at birth (AFAB) have varying amounts of vaginal
discharge. Some people produce more discharge than others, while others notice very
little. Changes in the color, texture, smell or amount of your usual vaginal discharge may
mean there is a problem. Most causes of abnormal vaginal discharge are treatable with
medication.
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Texture: It’s normal to have vaginal discharge that ranges from watery and sticky to
gooey, thick and pasty. Your body’s hormones cause this change to happen, but factors
like infection can also change the consistency of your vaginal discharge. Vaginal
discharge that is chunky, foamy or accompanied by itching and changes in color may
mean you have an infection.
Color: Vaginal discharge is healthy if it’s clear, milky white or off-white. Dark yellow,
brown, green or grey discharge may indicate an infection or other issue.
Smell: Vaginal discharge may have an odor, but it shouldn’t be strong and shouldn’t be
unpleasant. If you notice a fishy or foul smell to your discharge and it’s accompanied by
changes in texture or color, you may have a vaginal infection.
Amount: Some people produce lots of vaginal discharge, while others produce less.
Certain factors like pregnancy, using birth control pills or ovulation can affect how
much vaginal discharge you have. Sudden changes in the amount of vaginal discharge
you produce could mean something is wrong.
Yellow, grey or green: Yellow, grey or green discharge may suggest a bacterial or
sexually transmitted infection (STI).
Brown or red: Brown or red discharge is usually related to irregular menstruation or
pregnancy (implantation bleeding). If you have brown or red-tinged discharge and it’s
not your period, it may indicate a problem.
Clear or white: Normal vaginal discharge is clear, white or off-white. If your discharge is
white, but seems thicker than usual or causes itching, it may be a yeast infection.
Contact your healthcare provider if your vaginal discharge changes color or texture or is
accompanied by other symptoms like foul odor, itching or burning. It’s best to get an exam
to check for infection.
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POSSIBLE CAUSES
Trichomoniasis or “trich”
Trichomoniasis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) you get from having sex with an
infected person. A parasite causes trichomoniasis. It makes your vaginal discharge green,
yellow or gray and bubbly or frothy. It’s treated with antibiotics.
Bacterial vaginosis or BV
Bacterial vaginosis occurs when there’s too much of a certain bacteria in your vagina. It
can be transmitted through sexual contact but not always. People with BV have white or
gray discharge that’s foul-smelling and fishy. It’s treated with antibiotics.
An object in or near the vagina that shouldn’t be there. For example, you may leave a
tampon inside your vagina.
An irritation or rash from something (an object or chemical) that causes an allergic
reaction. This could be from detergents, soaps, sexual lubricants or materials used in
condoms or sex toys.
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A condition called atrophic vaginitis. This can happen after menopause when there is a
decrease in estrogen. The lower levels of estrogen cause the walls of the vagina to
become dry and thinner than normal.
During pregnancy, you produce more discharge because it helps protect you from
infection.
Your discharge may become extra slippery and wet during ovulation (when your ovaries
release an egg). This is to help sperm swim up to reach an egg for fertilization.
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Causes itching.
Causes swelling.
Has a bad or fishy-smelling odor.
Is green, yellow or gray.
Looks like cottage cheese or pus.
Causes pelvic pain or pain when you pee.
Having vaginal discharge is normal. It’s your vagina’s way of staying clean and healthy.
Signs of irregular discharge include a change in the color, amount, consistency and smell
of what you typically experience. Your normal discharge may change throughout your
menstrual cycle. Contact your healthcare provider if you have other changes in your
discharge or if it’s coupled with other symptoms like pain or itching. You shouldn’t use
sprays, perfumes or douches to improve the smell of your vagina.
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