Vaginal discharge is completely normal most of the time. The amount of vaginal discharge, its odour and colour (which can range from clear to a milky white-ish) can vary based on the time in your menstrual cycle. For instance, while you are ovulating, breastfeeding, or sexually aroused, there will be more discharge. It may smell different if you’re pregnant if you neglect your personal hygiene. None of these changes is cause for concern. So, what is considered abnormal vaginal discharge? If the colour, smell, or consistency seem unusual, especially if you also have vaginal itching or burning, you may have an infection or another condition.1
What is considered abnormal vaginal discharge?
Normal and abnormal vaginal discharge:
A normal vaginal discharge has to be clear or white. It should have a bad smell, and its thickness will vary throughout your menstrual cycle. Other features of vaginal discharge include:
- Vaginal discharge can be anything from watery and gummy to thick, thick, and pasty. This change is caused due to your body’s hormones, but other causes, like infection can also influence the consistency of your vaginal discharge. Vaginal discharge that is chunky, foamy, or accompanied by itching and colour changes may indicate an infection.
- Vaginal discharge that is clear, milky white or off-white is considered healthy. But, a dark yellow, grey, brown, yellow or green discharge may indicate an infection or another underlying issue and are abnormal vaginal discharge colour.
- Vaginal discharge may have an odour, but the vaginal discharge smell should not be strong or unpleasant. You may have a vaginal infection if you notice a fishy or unpleasant odour in your discharge accompanied by changes in texture or colour.
- Some women have a lot of vaginal discharge, while others produce less discharge. Pregnancy, the use of birth control pills, and ovulation can all have an impact on how much vaginal discharge you have. An abnormal amount of vaginal discharge may indicate something is wrong.2
What are the causes of an abnormal amount of vaginal discharge?
The abnormal vaginal discharge cause could be:
- Bacterial vaginosis
- Cervicitis
- Chlamydia trachomatis
- Gonorrhea
- Forgotten or retained tampon
- Pelvic inflammatory disease
- Trichomoniasis
- Vaginitis
- Yeast infection
Some other causes are:
- Certain hygiene practices like douching or using scented soaps and sprays
- Cervical cancer
- Pregnancy
- Vaginal atrophy
- Vaginal cancer
- Vaginal fistula 3
Vaginal discharge during pregnancy:
During pregnancy, there is an increase in the consistency, thickness, frequency, and amount of discharge. The normal vaginal discharge, known as leukorrhea, will begin to change as soon as one to two weeks after conception, even before you have missed your period.
This discharge usually becomes more noticeable as your pregnancy progresses, and at its heaviest near the end. This happens because of the hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy. You should use an unscented panty liner and avoid tampons throughout pregnancy. You may also notice streaks of thick mucus with blood in your discharge in the last weeks of pregnancy (known as “show”). It is a common early symptom of labour and should not be a cause for alarm. If you have an abnormal vaginal discharge during pregnancy, please consult a doctor.4
What does unhealthy discharge mean?
You can have different types of abnormal vaginal discharge, and vaginal discharge can be a sign of an infection if it:
- If it causes itching and swelling.
- If it has a bad or fishy-smelling odour.
- If it is green, yellow or grey in colour
- If it looks like cottage cheese or pus.
- If it causes pelvic pain or pain when you pee.5
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What are the types of discharge?
The colour of your vaginal discharge can vary, and vaginal discharge can range in colour from healthy to concerning. Possible colours include:
- Yellow, green or grey colour – A yellow, grey, or green discharge may indicate that you have a bacterial or sexually transmitted infection (STI) like trichomoniasis or bacterial vaginosis. If it is chunky, white, off-white, or yellow, it could be due to a yeast infection.
- Brown or red colour – A brown or red discharge is generally associated with irregular periods or pregnancy (implantation bleeding). If you experience brown or red-tinged discharge and it is not your period or due to your menstrual cycle, this could indicate a problem due to an underlying condition.
- Pink colour – A pink discharge indicates the start of your upcoming period and is nothing to worry about. It could also mean that you have implantation bleeding, IUD-related bleeding, abnormal uterine bleeding or any vaginal irritation.
- Clear or white colour – Vaginal discharge is often clear, white, or off-white. Your vaginal discharge can be wet or gummy (like egg whites) during ovulation. But, if your vaginal discharge is white but thicker than usual or causes itching, you may have yeast infections, and a cloudy white discharge can be a sign of gonorrhea.6
When should I be concerned about an abnormal discharge?
As discussed above, if you experience an unusual discharge, it is advisable for you to go to a doctor. It is necessary for you to find the vaginal discharge cause and treatment options. So, you should visit a doctor if your vaginal discharge is greenish, yellowish, thick, or cheesy. If your discharge has a strong smell or has any redness, itching, burning, or irritation in your vagina or the skin surrounding your vagina and urethra (vulva). You must also consult a doctor if you have bleeding or spotting that is not associated with your periods and menstrual cycle. There could be many complications of abnormal vaginal discharge which can be treated with antibiotic and antifungal medication.7
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