Vaginal discharge is essentially your body’s natural housekeeping service. It flows daily to flush out old cells and bacteria, keeping your reproductive tract clean and healthy. However, knowing the difference between a healthy cycle and a potential infection is important.

This guide helps you understand what healthy vaginal discharge is and when there is a need to consult a gynaecologist. You’ll be able to recognise the patterns and spot the difference between normal changes in discharge and a distress signal.

What Is Abnormal Vaginal Discharge?

To understand the problem, we first need to define the baseline. Normal discharge shifts throughout your cycle, from clear and stretchy during ovulation to milky and sticky before your period. It usually has a mild, musky scent or no scent at all.

Abnormal discharge, on the other hand, is your body's way of raising a red flag. It is typically defined by three sudden changes:

1. Drastic Colour Change: Turning green, grey, or bright yellow.

2. Texture Shift: Becoming clumpy (like cottage cheese) or frothy.

3. Odour & Sensation: Developing a strong fishy smell or being accompanied by itching and burning.

What are the Causes of Abnormal Vaginal Discharge?

When the delicate balance of bacteria and yeast in the vagina is disturbed, infections take hold. These are the most common causes of abnormal vaginal discharge:

Bacterial Vaginosis (BV)

Bacterial Vaginosis occurs when bad bacteria outnumber the healthy Lactobacillus.

• The Sign: Thin, greyish-white discharge with a distinct fishy odour, especially after sex.

• Sensation: Often causes mild itching or burning.
  

Yeast Infection (Candidiasis)

A fungal overgrowth is usually triggered by antibiotics, stress, or high sugar intake.

• The Sign: Thick, white, clumpy discharge that looks like cottage cheese. It is usually odourless.

• Sensation: Intense itching and redness are the hallmarks.
  

Trichomoniasis (Trich)

A common sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by a parasite.

• The Sign: Frothy, yellow-green discharge with a foul smell.

• Sensation: Pain during urination and sex.

How Do You Treat Abnormal Discharge?

Once you know the cause, the fix is usually straightforward. However, because different infections look similar, the treatment isn't one-size-fits-all. Using the wrong medication (like using a yeast cream for a bacterial infection) can actually make things worse.

Here is how these infections are treated:

For Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) & Trichomoniasis

Since these are caused by bacteria or parasites, they need antibiotics. These are usually prescription pills or vaginal gels.

Important: If it is Trichomoniasis (an STI), your partner needs to get treated too, or you will just pass it back and forth.

For Yeast Infections

These are fungal, so they require antifungal medication. You can often get over-the-counter creams or suppositories, but for stubborn cases, a doctor might prescribe a single-dose oral pill (Fluconazole).

For Irritation (Non-Infectious)

If your discharge is caused by an allergy to a new soap or laundry detergent, the treatment is simply removing the trigger and letting the area calm down.

Pro Tip: Never stop your antibiotics halfway through just because the symptoms disappear. You must finish the full course to ensure the infection is completely gone.

Can You Prevent Abnormal Discharge?

While you can't prevent every infection, you can make your vagina a "hostile environment" for bad bacteria. It all comes down to protecting your pH balance.

Here are the effective ways to follow for good vaginal health:

1. The "No Douching" Rule: It cannot be stressed enough- do not douche. Your vagina cleans itself. Douching washes away the healthy Lactobacillus bacteria that fight off infections, leaving you wide open to BV.

2. Breathe with Cotton: Yeast thrives in warm, moist environments. Wearing tight synthetic underwear traps heat. Switch to 100% cotton underwear to let the area breathe, especially while you sleep.

3. Wipe Front to Back: It sounds simple, but wiping from back to front can drag bacteria from the anal area to the vagina, causing immediate infection.

4. Skip the Scent: Avoid scented pads, tampons, or vaginal sprays. The chemicals in these "fresh" products often irritate the delicate tissue and disrupt your natural balance.

When Should You Visit a Gynaecologist?

We know it’s tempting to search for home remedies and hope for the best, but some signs require professional eyes.

Book an appointment with a gynaecologist immediately if:

• You have blisters or sores near your genitals (could be Herpes).

• You have pelvic pain or a fever along with the discharge.

• You tried an over-the-counter yeast cream, but the symptoms didn't go away.

• You think you might have been exposed to an STI.

Getting checked isn't just about curing the itch. It's about protecting your long-term fertility. Untreated infections can sometimes spread to the uterus, so it is always better to be safe than sorry.

Abnormal Vaginal Discharge During Pregnancy

Pregnancy naturally increases discharge volume (Leukorrhea) due to hormonal surges. However, distinguishing between normal pregnancy changes and infection is important for the baby's safety.

What to watch for

• Yeast Infections: Very common during pregnancy due to hormonal shifts. While annoying, they are usually harmless to the baby if treated.

• Bacterial Vaginosis: If left untreated, BV can increase the risk of preterm birth or low birth weight.

• Amniotic Fluid Leak: If you feel a continuous trickle of clear, watery fluid that smells sweet or odourless (unlike urine), this is abnormal and requires immediate emergency care.

Conclusion

Your body is constantly communicating with you. Experiencing abnormal vaginal discharge is simply a notification that your internal environment needs support. Whether it is a pH imbalance or a common infection, almost all causes are easily treatable with the right medication.

Ignoring the symptoms or trying to "wash them away" with douching often makes the problem worse. The fastest route to relief is a proper diagnosis.

Not sure if your symptoms require medication? Don't do the guesswork with your health. Click here to chat with a Pinky Promise expert and get the right treatment plan today.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Can stress cause abnormal discharge?

Yes. Stress triggers the release of cortisol, which can weaken your immune system and disrupt the bacterial balance in your vagina. This leaves you more vulnerable to infections like BV or yeast, which cause abnormal discharge.

Q: Is brown discharge always abnormal?

Not always. Brown discharge is usually just old blood. It is common right before or after your period. However, if it happens randomly mid-cycle or after sex, it should be checked by a doctor.

Q: Does abnormal discharge go away on its own?

Rarely. If the cause is an infection (bacteria, yeast, or STI), it will not clear up without treatment. Waiting too long can lead to complications, such as Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID).

Q: What is the most common cause of abnormal discharge?

Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) is the leading cause of abnormal vaginal discharge in women of reproductive age. It is caused by an imbalance of natural bacteria, not necessarily by sexual activity.