How Do I Know If My Vaginal Discharge Is Normal?
Key takeaways:
Vaginal discharge is a normal and healthy part of any vagina. But because it can be associated with personal hygiene, some people are hesitant to ask about changes in their discharge.
It’s natural to experience changes in your vaginal discharge. And they don’t always mean something is wrong. Things that can affect it include the menstrual cycle, hormonal changes, sexual activity, and even certain medications.
Certain changes in vaginal discharge, like a strong smell or abnormal color, may be signs of an infection. So it’s helpful to pay attention to what’s normal or abnormal for you.
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The Unmentionables is a series that answers common questions we all have about our bodies but are sometimes afraid to ask.
Vaginal discharge describes fluid that comes out of the vagina. It’s created by the vagina and cervix and is a collection of fluid, mucus, cells, and bacteria. Vaginal discharge is a normal part of a healthy vagina. It protects your vagina against irritation and infection. It’s also the body’s way to naturally keep the vagina clean.
But sometimes there can be changes to your vaginal discharge that you should be aware of. Let’s take a closer look at which changes are normal for your body, and how you can tell when something might be off.
What does normal vaginal discharge look like?
Normal vaginal discharge can be clear, milky white, or cream-colored. It can be thin and watery, thick and sticky, or stretchy and elastic. All healthy vaginas usually have a smell, and each vagina’s odor is different. But a normal vaginal scent isn’t strong or unpleasant.
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You may notice that your discharge varies with your menstrual cycle. It may change from thick and white to clear and slippery around the time of ovulation. Or the amount may increase around ovulation. It’s also common for the amount of vaginal discharge during pregnancy to increase. This is due to the increase in hormones that support a healthy pregnancy. The color, feel, and odor of vaginal discharge during pregnancy should be the same, just more of it.
Vaginal discharge can also vary with age. After menopause, for example, vaginal discharge normally lessens due to the decrease in the hormone estrogen.
Many people notice changes in the amount or consistency of their vaginal discharge with:
Sexual arousal or activity
Hygiene practices and products
However, some changes may be a signal that something else is going on. Being familiar with how your vagina normally smells will help you recognize when something isn’t right.
What is abnormal vaginal discharge?
Although some vaginal discharge is normal, changes in the amount, feel, smell, and color can all be signs of an underlying condition, such as irritation or infection. Here are some signs that could mean there’s a problem:
A change in odor that smells particularly foul, or even fishy
Changes in consistency, especially if it’s foamy or looks like pus or cottage cheese
Discharge with blood when you aren’t having your period, or any bleeding after menopause
Discharge along with itching, burning, swelling, soreness, or redness in the genital area
Pain when you pee or have sex
How to keep your vagina healthy: Here are some helpful tips on how to properly care for the vagina and keep it healthy.
Having increased discharge after antibiotics? Find out why taking antibiotics increases your risk for a yeast infection.
Vaginitis: Learn more about common reasons for vaginal irritation and what you can do about it.
If you’re pregnant and notice abnormal discharge, let your healthcare team know right away. This is sometimes the first sign of an underlying issue that could affect your pregnancy.
Vaginal discharge colors and what they mean
Color discharge | What it might mean | Symptoms |
|---|---|---|
Yellow or green | Bacterial or sexually transmitted infection (STI) | Burning, pain with urination |
White | Healthy discharge or it may be a yeast infection | May see a thick, cottage-cheese-like discharge, itching, burning, swelling, or irritation with a yeast infection |
Brown or red | Menstruation, cervical infection, cervical polyp, irregular menstruation, or pregnancy (implantation bleeding) | Abdominal cramping, irregular periods, pain with sexual activity |
Clear | Healthy discharge, pregnancy, ovulation | No odor, itching, or pain for normal discharge |
Gray | Bacterial vaginosis | Fishy odor |
Pink | Cervical bleeding, vaginal irritation | In case of cervical or vaginal irritation, you can have pain with urination or sexual activity. |
What are some common causes of abnormal vaginal discharge?
Anything that affects the health of the vagina, cervix, or reproductive system can lead to abnormal vaginal discharge. Let’s take a look at the common reasons why you may have abnormal discharge and what it may look like.
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs or STDs)
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs, also called sexually transmitted diseases or STDs) can cause abnormal vaginal discharge. Examples of these include:
Trichomoniasis vaginalis (“trich”)
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Chlamydia and gonorrhea can occasionally cause an increase in thicker, yellow, or green discharge, and there may be an odor. Trichomonas may cause a frothy discharge with a strong fishy smell.
Bacterial vaginosis
Bacterial vaginosis happens when the bacteria that normally live in the vagina grow in excess. The vaginal discharge color may range from white to gray to green. You may notice that the amount of discharge has increased. It’s usually thin with a strong fishy odor.
Yeast infections
A vaginal yeast infection is an overgrowth of yeast that normally lives in the vagina. The discharge is often thick, lumpy, and resembles curds or cottage cheese. There isn’t usually an odor, but you may have some vaginal irritation or redness. It’s commonly very itchy.
If you have diabetes, are pregnant, or have a weakened immune system, you’re more likely to have vaginal discharge due to a yeast infection.
Menopause or vaginal atrophy
Atrophic vaginitis, or the drying and thinning of the vaginal walls can also cause vaginal discharge. This is often seen during menopause. Atrophic vaginitis can lead to a change in the acidity of the vagina, and this can cause an increase in a watery gray or yellow discharge.
Antibiotic use
You may notice an increase in vaginal discharge after taking antibiotics. While antibiotics themselves don’t cause vaginal discharge, they can make it much more likely for you to develop a yeast infection. Vaginal discharge after taking antibiotics will typically be thick, white, and very itchy.
Birth control
It’s common to notice changes in your vaginal discharge when using birth control. In fact, some hormones in birth control work by thickening the mucus made by the cervix to make pregnancy less likely to happen. You may also notice brown discharge when using birth control if you’re having any sort of spotting due to the hormones.
Birth control can also increase your risk of developing a yeast infection, which could lead to vaginal discharge.
Douches and perfumed soaps
Douching or using heavily scented body washes to cleanse the vagina can also cause abnormal discharge. These products upset the normal pH balance in the vagina by washing away the normal bacteria that live there. This can increase your risk for bacterial vaginosis and the abnormal discharge that comes with it.
It’s never a good idea to use douches to cleanse the vagina or treat any vaginal discharge symptoms. Talk with a healthcare professional if you think you have a reason to douche. They can help give you safer alternatives to try.
How to treat abnormal vaginal discharge
There’s no one specific treatment for abnormal vaginal discharge. The best treatment to get rid of your abnormal discharge will depend on what’s causing it. If the discharge is due to an infection, prescription medication will be required to treat it. That’s why it’s always a good idea to make an appointment with a healthcare professional if you notice any changes in your vaginal discharge. They can make the proper diagnosis and develop a treatment plan that’s best for you.
How to prevent abnormal vaginal discharge
In many cases you can prevent abnormal vaginal discharge. This requires having a healthy environment for the vagina. Some tips that you can use to keep your vagina healthy include:
Use only a gentle or mild soap to clean the outside of the vagina.
Avoid douching.
Wipe the vagina from front to back after using the bathroom.
Wear 100% cotton underwear.
Avoid using scented hygiene products.
Practice safe sex.
When should I get medical care?
Most changes in your discharge aren’t a cause for concern, or a sign of a medical problem. But if you notice abnormal bleeding or changes that suggest an infection, a healthcare professional can help you figure out what’s going on. They can perform an exam to check in and around your genital area and collect samples of the discharge for lab testing.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Vaginal discharge is a normal part of having a healthy vagina. If you begin to notice a change in the amount, consistency, or color of your discharge, you may want to let a healthcare professional know. They can help you figure out if the vaginal discharge is abnormal.
Yes. Some people notice vaginal discharge every day and others don’t. The amount of vaginal discharge that you should expect will vary based on many factors like hormonal changes during the month, age, and sexual activity.
How much discharge is normal?
There’s no set amount of discharge that’s considered normal. It can also differ from person to person. If you have concerns about how much vaginal discharge you have, it’s best to see a healthcare professional.
The bottom line
Vaginal discharge is a normal feature of a healthy vagina, and it can vary naturally. Knowing what’s normal for you will help you know when to get medical care. A new strong odor, change in color, pain, or bleeding outside of a period or after menopause, are all signs that it’s time to see a healthcare professional about your vaginal discharge.
Why trust our experts?
The Unmentionables is a series that focuses on common curiosities about our bodies that, at some point, have been labeled as taboo, shameful, or embarrassing. But these are important questions we all have about our health, and we should be able to ask them. This series aims to dispel the stigma, normalize the discussion, and openly address these important health topics.
Don’t be shy. Someone else has the same question, so ask away!
References
American Sexual Health Association. (n.d.). Vaginal health.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). About bacterial vaginosis (BV). Bacterial vaginosis – CDC basic fact sheet.
Johns Hopkins Medicine. (n.d.). Estrogen’s effects on the female body.
Mac Bride, M. B., et al. (2010). Vulvovaginal atrophy. Mayo Clinic Proceedings.
Office on Women’s Health. (2021). Your menstrual cycle. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Office on Women’s Health. (2023). Menopause basics. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
