How is discharge supposed to look

Others may indicate an underlying condition that requires treatment. A bit of white discharge, especially at the beginning or end of your menstrual cycle, is normal.

This type of discharge may be a sign of a yeast infection. A clear and watery discharge is perfectly normal. It can occur at any time of the month.

It may be especially heavy after exercise. When discharge is clear but stretchy and mucous-like, rather than watery, it indicates that you are likely ovulating.

This is a normal type of discharge. Brown or bloody discharge is usually normal, especially when it occurs during or right after your menstrual cycle. A late discharge at the end of your period can look brown instead of red.

You may also experience a small amount of bloody discharge between periods. This is called spotting. Spotting during an early phase of pregnancy can be a sign of miscarriage , so it should be discussed with your OB-GYN. In rare cases, brown or bloody discharge can be a sign of endometrial or cervical cancer.

It could be other problems such as fibroids or other abnormal growths. Your gynecologist will check for cervical abnormalities during these procedures. This type of discharge may be a sign of the infection trichomoniasis. Normal vaginal discharge is a healthy bodily function. Exercise, use of birth control pills , and emotional stress may also result in discharge. Bacterial vaginosis is a quite common bacterial infection.

It causes increased vaginal discharge that has a strong, foul, and sometimes fishy odor, although it produces no symptoms in some cases.

Women who receive oral sex or who have multiple sexual partners have an increased risk of acquiring this infection. Trichomoniasis is another type of infection. The infection is usually spread by sexual contact, but it can also be contracted by sharing towels or bathing suits.

It results in a yellow or green discharge that has a foul odor. A yeast infection is a fungal infection that produces white, cottage cheese-like discharge in addition to burning and itching sensations. The presence of yeast in the vagina is normal, but its growth can multiply out of control in certain situations.

The following may increase your likelihood of yeast infections:. Gonorrhea and chlamydia are sexually transmitted infections STIs that can produce an abnormal discharge. It occurs when bacteria spread up the vagina and into other reproductive organs. Safe Sleep Practices. Pay Your Bill. Financial Assistance. Medical Records. About Us Who We Are. Patient Stories. Get Involved. Health Alerts: Coronavirus.

Health Library. Flu Information. Nutrition Videos. Injury Prevention. Community Health Needs Assessment. For Girls. The following changes may indicate a problem: change in odor especially an unpleasant odor change in color especially greenish, grayish, or anything looking like pus change in texture such as foamy or looking like cottage cheese vaginal itching, burning, swelling, or redness vaginal bleeding or spotting that is not a menstrual period Vaginal infections, such as bacterial vaginosis, candidiasis yeast infection , and trichomoniasis are common causes of abnormal vaginal discharge.

The symptoms of these infections can be very similar, but there are some differences to look for: Yeast infections may cause your discharge to become very white and thick, resembling cottage cheese. A yeast infection usually does not cause a strong odor, but it may cause severe itching and burning. Note that treatments for yeast infections can weaken latex condoms and diaphragms 9. Visit your healthcare provider for a test. They will look at your vulva and vagina and take a sample swab to be checked under a microscope, or sent for a lab test.

They may also test the pH of your vagina with a simple pH-strip test. In some cases, though, untreated BV can lead to infection after gynecologic surgery and pregnancy complications including miscarriage and preterm birth BV may contribute to developing pelvic inflammatory disease PID , but more research is needed The treatment of BV or an STI like trichomonas , chlamydia or gonorrhea is usually quite simple, and may involve putting an antibiotic gel or cream into your vagina for several days, or taking just one dose of an antibiotic by mouth or injection depending on the type of infection 9.

More intervention may be needed in the case of infections that have been left untreated and have become more complicated. Note that many STIs do not cause symptoms, or they remain asymptomatic for a long time. If you are sexually active, regular STI testing is crucial. Garlic and tea tree oil both have antifungal and antibacterial properties, and are touted as natural cures when used in the vagina.

But there is not enough research to say how effective they are at treating vaginal infections, and some people may find that these methods irritate the vagina More research is needed.

Resist the urge! Douching and cleansing will not help—and may make things worse 16, Keep foaming and scented soap away from your vulva or avoid soap on your vulva and in your vagina altogether. Be extremely diligent about using protection with new and untested sexual partners. Use a fresh barrier tool like a condom if switching from anal to vaginal activity during sex.

A healthy vaginal environment will make you less likely to contract an STI, and help you avoid uncomfortable symptoms and potential health complications. You may be more prone to getting an STI during your luteal phase the second part of your cycle, after ovulation , when your immune system may not be as strong This happens as your body creates an environment that makes getting pregnant most possible, in which an egg can be fertilized and implant in your uterus, without your immune system getting in the way.

Article was originally published on Aug. Are vaginal fluids really all that different?