Guide on vaginal discharge colors: Important insights
Vaginal discharge, a natural fluid secreted from the vagina and cervix, can vary in colour, consistency, and odour. While some changes might be normal, others could indicate potential health issues, including infections and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Here's a breakdown of what different colours of vaginal discharge might mean.
White Discharge
Typically, white discharge that is thin and odourless is considered normal. However, thick, clumpy white discharge resembling cottage cheese might suggest a yeast infection or cytolytic vaginosis, a condition similar to a yeast infection.
Yellow or Green Discharge
Yellow discharge may occur due to hormonal changes, nearing menstruation, or pregnancy. Pale yellow and odourless discharge in these contexts is usually normal. On the other hand, dark yellow, greenish-yellow, or green discharge often indicates infections such as trichomoniasis, bacterial vaginosis (BV), gonorrhea, chlamydia, or cervicitis.
Trichomoniasis causes frothy, foul-smelling yellow-green discharge, while BV might indicate a yellow or green discharge due to a bacterial imbalance. Gonorrhea and chlamydia can cause yellow, green, or gray discharge, often cloudy or milky, sometimes with a foul odour and increased volume. Cervicitis, inflammation of the cervix, can produce pus-like yellow discharge with a bad smell.
Gray Discharge
Grayish-white or frothy discharge can be associated with trichomoniasis.
Brown or Pink Discharge
Brown or pink discharge may indicate vaginal bleeding between periods or after sex. This could be associated with chlamydia or other causes of cervicitis or irritation.
Other Potential Causes
Changes in diet or the use of vitamins sometimes cause yellow discharge but are less common reasons. Factors disrupting normal vaginal flora such as antibiotics, hormonal contraceptives, pregnancy, and feminine hygiene products can lead to discharge changes and infections like yeast infections or BV.
Regular STI screening is especially recommended for sexually active individuals with new or multiple partners to detect asymptomatic infections. If experiencing notable changes in colour, smell, amount, or accompanying symptoms (itching, pain), it is important to seek medical evaluation and testing.
In conclusion, while some changes in vaginal discharge might be normal, it is crucial to be aware of potential signs of infections or health conditions. If you notice an unusual smell or appearance, or if there are vaginal symptoms such as itching, pain, or discomfort, discharge that is frothy or like cottage cheese, bleeding between periods or after menopause, regular spotting after sex, grey, green, or yellow discharge, a strong odour, or a burning sensation during urination, promptly consult a healthcare professional.
- White discharge, typically thin and odourless, is usually normal, but thick, clumpy white discharge resembling cottage cheese might suggest a yeast infection or cytolytic vaginosis.
- Yellow discharge, while it can occur due to hormonal changes or be normal near menstruation or pregnancy, dark yellow, greenish-yellow, or green discharge often indicates potential infections such as trichomoniasis, bacterial vaginosis (BV), gonorrhea, chlamydia, or cervicitis.
- Grayish-white or frothy discharge can be associated with trichomoniasis, an STI known for causing frothy, foul-smelling discharge.
- Brown or pink discharge may indicate vaginal bleeding between periods or after sex, which could be associated with chlamydia or other causes of cervicitis or irritation.
- Factors disrupting normal vaginal flora such as antibiotics, hormonal contraceptives, pregnancy, and feminine hygiene products can lead to discharge changes and infections like yeast infections or BV.
- Regular STI screening is especially recommended for sexually active individuals with new or multiple partners to detect asymptomatic infections, and seeking medical evaluation and testing is important if experiencing notable changes in colour, smell, amount, or accompanying symptoms.
