Many natural processes cause vaginal discharge, including menstruation and lubrication during arousal. However, some colors of discharge can indicate an infection or underlying health condition.
Vaginal discharge may occur independently or with other symptoms. It is important to know what the different colors of discharge mean and when it is necessary to seek medical help.
Read on for a color-coded guide to vaginal discharge. Learn what the colors mean and when to contact a doctor.
Vaginal discharge is fluid secreted from tiny glands in the vagina and cervix. This fluid leaks from the vagina daily to remove old cells and debris, keeping the vagina and reproductive tract clean and healthy.
The amount of vaginal discharge can vary significantly from person to person. The color, consistency, and amount can also change from day to day, depending on where a person is in their menstrual cycle:
- Days 1 to 5: At the beginning of the cycle, discharge is usually red or bloody as the body sheds the uterine lining.
- Days 6 to 12: Following a period, a person may notice less vaginal discharge than usual. As the egg starts to develop and mature, the cervical mucus will become cloudy and white or yellow. It may feel sticky.
- Days 13 to 15: During the ovulation phase, the mucus will be thin and slippery, similar to the consistency of egg whites. After ovulation, the mucus will return to cloudy, white, or yellow, and possibly sticky or tacky.
- Days 16 to 28: The cervical mucus will lighten, and a person will see less of it, before getting another period.
Most ordinary vaginal discharge is clear or whitish. It may be slippery or have the consistency of egg whites.
A person is likely to experience clearer, slippery discharge just before ovulation, during sexual arousal, and pregnancy.
The shade of white can extend to include cream or light yellow. If a person has no other symptoms, white discharge is most likely not a cause for concern.
However, if the white discharge has a consistency like cottage cheese or is accompanied by a strong odor, it can indicate an infection. This would need medical attention.
White, thick, strong-smelling white discharge
The shade of red can vary from bright to a dark rust color. Red discharge is most commonly the result of bleeding during a period.
Menstrual bleeding happens, on average, around every 28 days, though the typical range is 21 to 35 days. A period typically lasts for 3 to 5 days, but it may be longer or shorter.
Anyone who experiences bleeding between menstrual periods should contact a doctor. While there are many benign causes of intermenstrual bleeding, it can sometimes signal a serious condition.
Anyone who has gone through menopause should contact a doctor if they experience vaginal bleeding. It can
Discharge can be light or a much deeper pink. It usually contains a little bit of blood.
Pink discharge most commonly occurs with spotting before a period. However, it can also indicate implantation bleeding in early pregnancy.
Some people experience some spotting after ovulation, which can also cause pink discharge.
Discharge can be pink after sexual intercourse if the sex has caused small tears or irritation in the vagina or cervix.
If the discharge has a very slight yellow hue, it may not indicate a problem. This is especially likely if the hue only coincides with a change in diet or dietary supplements.
Discharge that is a darker shade of yellow, yellowish-green, or green usually signals a bacterial or sexually transmitted infection.
Contact a doctor promptly if vaginal discharge is thick or clumpy or it has a foul odor.
Gray vaginal discharge
BV usually causes other vaginal symptoms as well, including:
- itching
- irritation
- a strong odor
- redness or discoloration around the vulva or vaginal opening
Anyone with gray discharge should promptly contact a doctor. Following diagnosis, the doctor will usually prescribe antibiotics to treat the BV.
Contact a doctor if vaginal discharge has an unusual smell or appearance.
A person should also seek medical care if they experience 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
- gray, green, or yellow discharge
- a strong odor
- a burning sensation during urination
The doctor will likely perform a pelvic exam. They may also need to take a sample of discharge for testing.
Discharge due to an STI may look yellow or green in color.
BV discharge is typically gray or white in color. It is usually thin.
Yellow-green discharge can indicate an STI. It may or may not have a strong smell.
Discharge is typically clear or milky white. A person may have clear, slimy, or slippery discharge before ovulation, during sexual arousal, or during pregnancy.
Vaginal discharge is typically clear or whitish. Red or pink discharge is usually due to the presence of blood, such as in between periods or after sex.
White, yellow, green, or gray discharge may indicate an infection. These will require medical treatments.
A person should contact a doctor if they notice irregular changes in vaginal discharge or other symptoms that might indicate a reproductive health issue.