Healthy vaginal discharge is normal and natural.
Healthy discharge ranges from clear to milky white, and amounts fluctuate with the menstrual cycle.
It keeps the vagina clean and provides lubrication.
Kittisak Jirasittichai / EyeEm / Getty Images
Healthy discharge does not smell bad and is clear, white, or pale yellow.
During your period, it can be red because its mixed with blood.
Toward the end of your period, it often turns brown as old blood is cleared out.
Consistency and amount vary with your monthly cycle and differ for each person.
However, certain types of discharge are abnormal and are cause for seeking medical care.
These variations are normal.
Aroundovulationat about days 1214 of your cycledischarge becomes moreclear and stretchy.
What Medications Can Cause Vaginal Discharge?
Hormonal contraception(birth control) andhormone therapycan disrupt discharge amounts.
Osphena (ospemifene) treats vaginal dryness due to menopause, and a possible side effect isincreased vaginal discharge.
When left untreated, PID increases your risk of chronic pelvic pain, infertility, and ectopic pregnancies.
Pregnant people with abnormal discharge are at risk of complications such as preterm delivery.
Are There Tests to Diagnose the Cause of Vaginal Discharge?
It keeps the vagina clean and provides lubrication.
Normal, healthy discharge is clear, white, off-white, or pale yellow and does not smell bad.
When the color changes to green, bright yellow, or gray, this usually indicates infection.
Abnormal consistency is chunky, contains pus, is frothy, or is very watery.
A foul odor typically means an infection.
Some medications such as antibiotics and chemotherapy increase the risk for yeast infections.
Other medications, such as those that affect female reproductive hormones, can alter the amount of healthy discharge.
Abnormal discharge is diagnosed and treated based on the cause.
Yeast infections are treated with antifungals, while bacterial infections are treated with antibiotics.
It may feel uncomfortable to discuss any changes with your healthcare provider.
However, they are used to these conversations and want to help you feel better.
They need to know your concerns because early diagnosis and treatment help decrease the risk of complications.
Frequently Asked Questions
Normal, healthy vaginal discharge comes from glands in and around the vagina.
Its purpose is to clean and lubricate the vagina.
Abnormal discharge can be sparked by a yeast infection, bacterial vaginosis, or an STI.
Healthy vaginal discharge is normal.
A more severe yeast infection, bacterial infection, or an STI requires medical attention.
White discharge with a chunky texture like cottage cheese typically indicates a yeast infection.
Sim M, Logan S, Goh L.Vaginal discharge: Evaluation and management in primary care.Singapore Med J.
2020;61(6):297-301. doi:10.11622/smedj.2020088.
Rao V, Mahmood T.Vaginal discharge.
Obstetrics, Gynaecology & Reproductive Medicine.
2020;30(1);11-18. doi: 10.1016/j.ogrm.2019.10.004.
2021;13(1):e12700.
Nemours TeensHealth.Vaginal discharge: Whats normal, whats not.
Osphena.Menopause symptoms rubbing you the wrong way: Ask your healthcare provider for Osphena.
Jensen J, Hein L, Lundgren B, Bestle M, et.al.Procalcitonin and survival study group.
2015;43(3):594-602. doi: 10.1097/CCM.0000000000000746.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Preventing candidiasis.
American Cancer Society.How hormone therapy and chemo affect the sex life of females with cancer.
Curry A, Williams T, Penny M.Pelvic inflammatory disease: diagnosis, management, and prevention.
2019;100(6):357-364.
Pak J Med Sci.
2021;37(5):1302-1308. doi: 10.12669/pjms.37.5.4187.
2021;2021:4948954. doi:10.1155/2021/4948954.
