Vaginal discharge is normal, but not all releases are normal
What is Vaginal Discharge?
A fluid that helps keep the vagina clean and infection-free, vaginal discharge is natural. But its colour, texture, and amount can differ, depending on your age and where you are in your menstrual cycle.
Some changes, however, can be a sign of an underlying health condition. These can include significant colour or odour changes and a difference in consistency.
Vaginal discharge fluid can be several things, including:
Cervical Mucus This is a clear liquid or gel-like fluid produced by the cervix and changes during the course of a menstrual cycle or pregnancy.
Arousal Fluid This is produced by glands in and around the vagina when sexual arousal occurs. The fluid lubricates the vagina, then dissipates usually within an hour of arousal.
Seminal fluid A man’s sperm, along with other fluids. It can appear as vaginal discharge if you’ve had intercourse within the last day (seminal fluid can stay in the vagina for hours after intercourse).
According to the Merck Manual, other symptoms may also be present when abnormal discharge is present, depending on what is causing the release. Other symptoms might include:
- Itching
- Burning
- Irritation
- Redness
- Pain during urination and sexual intercourse
What is considered normal vaginal discharge?
Normal vaginal discharge should be clear or white. It shouldn’t smell bad, and its thickness may change throughout your menstrual cycle. Other characteristics of vaginal discharge include: (Cleveland clinic says)
- 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, 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 colour may mean you have an infection.
- Colour: Vaginal discharge is healthy if 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 odour, but it shouldn’t be strong and shouldn’t be unpleasant. If you notice a fishy or foul smell to your release and changes in texture or colour accompanying it, you may have a vaginal infection.
- Amount: Some people produce lots of vaginal discharge, while others pay 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.
Contact your healthcare provider if you notice:
- An increase in the amount of vaginal discharge.
- A change in the colour of the release.
- A foul-smelling odour.
- A change in texture or consistency of the release.
- Irritation, itching, or pain in or around your vagina.
The doctor may take a sample of the discharge or do a Pap test to collect cells from your cervix for further examination.
Types of Vaginal Discharge
Several types of vaginal discharge exist, often categorized by colour and consistency.
- Creamy white
White-coloured discharge is common, especially at the beginning or end of your menstrual cycle. Typically, this discharge will be thick and sticky, too, with no strong odour. But when it becomes a very thick creamy discharge like cottage cheese & itchiness, it can be a sign of Yeast infection.
- Clear white and stretchy
Around ovulation, discharge often becomes clearer and wetter. You may also notice more discharge like this when you’re sexually aroused or pregnant. When the release is clear but stretchy and mucous-like rather than watery, it indicates that you are likely ovulating.
- Brown or bloody
Brown or bloody discharge can occur during or right after your menstrual cycle. You may also experience a small amount of bloody discharge between periods. This is called spotting.
Spotting that occurs during your period and after recent sex without a barrier or other protection may be a sign of pregnancy. And spotting during early pregnancy can be a sign of miscarriage.
- Yellow or green
Yellow-ish discharge may not indicate a health condition as it can naturally turn this colour when exposed to air.
But darker yellow or green discharge, especially when it’s thick, chunky, or accompanied by an unpleasant smell, is a sign to see a healthcare professional.
- Grey
The grey discharge could indicate Bacterial vaginosis accompanied by a fishy smell, slight itch, or burning sensation.
If my vaginal discharge changes, do I have an infection?
Maybe. Your discharge might change colour, become heavier or smell different. You might notice irritation around the opening of the vagina. You might also see changes before or after your period. Changes in vaginal discharge may or may not be a sign that you have a vaginal infection. If you’re unsure, it’s best to contact your healthcare provider.
Can you have more than one vaginal infection?
Yes. You may have two or three types of infection at the same time.
Possible Causes
What infections cause vaginal discharge to change?
According to the Cleveland clinic- Several infections cause vaginal discharge to change or become an unpleasant odour. Many of these infections can be caused by having sex with someone with the disease.
Yeast infection
Vaginal yeast infections happen when a specific fungus (candida) grows out of control in your vagina. It produces a thick, white, cottage cheese-like vaginal discharge. Your vagina may swell and be itchy, and sex may be painful. Antifungal medications treat yeast infections. Also, the use of a Boric suppository ( Tielle’s Boric acid available)
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 grey 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 grey discharge that’s foul-smelling and fishy. It’s treated with antibiotics. It also can be treated with a Boric suppository for recurring BV (Tielle’s Boric acid is available)
Gonorrhea and chlamydia
Chlamydia and gonorrhoea are two common STIs from having sex with an infected person. Both infections are treated with antibiotics from your healthcare provider. Some people with these infections have cloudy, yellow, or green vaginal discharge. If left untreated, the infection may spread, causing pelvic inflammatory disease with pelvic pain.
Genital herpes
This STI can lead to thick vaginal discharge with a strong smell, particularly after sex. Sores and blisters can appear around the genitals, along with bleeding between periods and a burning sensation when urinating.
However, it’s common to have no or mild symptoms. If symptoms do occur, you may experience repeated outbreaks throughout your life.
Pelvic inflammatory disease
Heavy, foul-smelling discharge and pain in the stomach after sex or while menstruating or urinating may be signs of pelvic inflammatory disease.
This occurs when bacteria move into the vagina and up to other reproductive organs and can be caused by STIs that are left untreated, like chlamydia or gonorrhoea.
Human papillomavirus or cervical cancer
The human papillomavirus infection is spread by sexual contact and can lead to cervical cancer. While there may be no symptoms, this type of cancer can result in the following:
- bloody, brown, or watery discharge with an unpleasant odour
- unusual bleeding occurring between periods or after sex
- pain while urinating or an increased urge to urinate
In rare cases, brown or bloody discharge can signify endometrial cancer, fibroids, or other growths.
Here are some tips for preventing vaginal infections that can lead to abnormal discharge:
- Keep the vagina clean with a gentle, natural feminine wash (Tielle's Nectar Feminine Cleanser is available) and warm water on the outside. There is no need to put soap directly in the vagina.
- Never use scented soaps and feminine products or douche. Also, avoid feminine sprays and bubble baths.
- After going to the bathroom, always wipe from front to back to prevent bacteria from getting into the vagina and causing an infection.
- Wear 100% cotton underpants, and avoid overly tight clothing.
Are there any noninfectious causes of vaginal discharge?
An infection does not always cause vaginal discharge. Changes in the average balance of healthy bacteria in your vagina and sexual excitement can also cause vaginal discharge.
Other things that can cause discharge include:
- 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.
- 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 usual.
- During pregnancy, you produce more discharge because it helps protect you from infection.
- Your discharge may become slippery and wet during ovulation (when ovaries release an egg). This is to help sperm swim up to reach an egg for fertilization.