Vaginal discharge is typically a mix of mucus and secretions that are part of your vagina’s normal process of keeping its tissues healthy and lubricated and protected against irritation and infection.
While normal vaginal discharge tends to range from sticky and milky white to watery and clear, abnormal discharge tends to have an unusual appearance, texture, or odor and is often accompanied by itching or discomfort.
Causes
Causes of abnormal vaginal discharge include:
- implantation
- menstruation
- infection
Implantation
Implantation occurs when a fertilized egg attaches to the wall of your uterus, typically 10 days to 2 weeks after sexual intercourse. This might stimulate pink or orange discharge. See your doctor or gynecologist if you experience orange or pink spotting that does not lead to a period cycle.
Menstruation
As you get close to your period, you will produce more mucus which could result in a yellow discharge. The color may be small amounts of menstrual blood mixing with normal discharge. If this atypical color discharge also has an unpleasant odor or abnormal texture, discuss it with your doctor.
Infection
If your vaginal discharge has a disagreeable odor or an unexpected color, it might be the sign of an infection.
Vaginal yeast infection
Caused by an overgrowth of the fungus Candida, a vaginal yeast infection commonly has symptoms including:
- thick, white, discharge often described as resembling cottage cheese
- discharge typically does not have an unpleasant odor
- swelling, redness, and a burning sensation or itchiness of the vulva and vagina
- pain while having sex
- discomfort during urination
Bacterial vaginosis
A type of vaginal inflammation, bacterial vaginosis is the result of overgrowth of bacteria that is naturally found in the vagina. Symptoms include:
- white, gray or green discharge
- vaginal odor reminiscent of fish
- burning sensation while urinating
- vaginal itching
Trichomoniasis
The sexually transmitted infection (STI) trichomoniasis is often recognized by its symptoms including:
- yellow, green, gray, or white vaginal discharge
- vaginal discharge with an unpleasant, often fishy, smell
- itching, redness, or a burning sensation of the vagina and vulva
- pain during urination
- pain during intercourse
Gonorrhea
Another STD, gonorrhea, is an infection by the Neisseria gonorrhoeae bacterium. Many women with gonorrhea do not have symptoms, and if they do, the symptoms are often mistaken for a vaginal or bladder infection.
Women who may have symptoms might experience:
- increased vaginal discharge
- abdominal discomfort
- pain during sex
- vaginal bleeding following sex
- vaginal bleeding between periods
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