Healthy vaginal discharge is not only completely normal, it’s necessary. However, sometimes vaginal discharge can change for a variety of reasons, and this can point to an underlying health condition.
It’s important to be able to know what’s normal and what may need attention.
Every woman has vaginal discharge, but you may be surprised to know that most women produce about a half to one teaspoon of vaginal discharge every day.
What is vaginal discharge?
Vaginal discharge is basically fluid that leaves your vagina. It’s important because it helps to carry away bacteria and keep your vagina clean, lubricated and protected.
Healthy vaginal discharge is clear or white, and it is normal for it to undergo certain changes, such as during pregnancy or over your menstrual cycle. For example, you may notice that it smells differently just after your period.
However, sometimes when your vaginal discharge changes it can be a sign that something’s wrong. For example, a vaginal infection can alter the look and smell of your discharge.
If you’re worried about your vaginal discharge, contact us or visit one of our clinics to arrange a consultation Visit our clinics. We’ll discuss things confidentially, help you understand what’s happening in your body, and then talk you through any treatment you may need.
Types of vaginal discharge
Keep an eye out for these signs and symptoms to understand how healthy your vaginal discharge is:
White or clear vaginal discharge
The colour of normal vaginal discharge is clear or white. Healthy discharge is usually either thick and sticky, or wet and stretchy.
What’s normal varies between people, over time, and in different situations. You’ve probably noticed your discharge changing slightly depending on your time of the month.
Discharge gets clearer, wetter and stretchier – a bit like raw egg white – around the time you ovulate (usually a couple of weeks before your period starts).
Your discharge can also look and feel differently if you’re pregnant, when you’re
aroused or if you’re taking the pill or other hormonal contraceptives. You may produce more discharge too at these times.
As you approach menopause, and your levels of the hormone oestrogen fall, you may find you have less discharge. You may produce less when you’re breastfeeding too.
Grey vaginal discharge
If you have thin, greyish-white discharge that smells fishy, you may have bacterial vaginosis. This is a common vaginal infection caused by a change in the balance of bacteria in your vagina.
It isn’t a sexually transmitted infection (STI) but can be brought on by having sex or using spermicide. It can also happen when you’ve used too much soap or other products on your vagina.
Thick, lumpy white discharge
White discharge that doesn’t smell but has the texture of curds or cottage cheese, is a sign of thrush (also known as candidiasis or a yeast infection). Your vulva or genital area may also be itchy or sore.
This is another problem that happens because the natural balance of bacteria in your vagina is disturbed.
Yellow vaginal discharge
If your discharge is yellowish in colour, fishy-smelling, and frothy this could mean you have trichomoniasis, which is an STI.
You may also be itchy, sore and in pain when you wee. You may produce more vaginal
discharge than usual, and you may be swollen around your vagina. Your inner thighs can also be itchy.
Brown vaginal discharge
Rusty brown vaginal discharge is most likely to happen at the beginning and end of your period.
This is nothing to worry about, and is just blood that has taken a little longer to leave the vagina. You may get some rusty brown blood spotting too if you’ve just started the pill or another contraceptive that affects your hormones, but this should only be temporary.
If you’re at all worried about spotting, contact us or visit your local MSI clinic Visit our Clinics.
Bleeding between periods
If you have abnormal bleeding (i.e. bleeding in between periods or after sex) you may have cervicitis, which is an inflammation of the cervix. Cervicitis can make weeing or sex painful too.
Abnormal bleeding and deep pain in your lower tummy could be pelvic inflammatory disease. Both of these conditions can be caused by the STI chlamydia or occasionally gonorrhoea.
What else can cause smelly vaginal discharge?
Abnormal and smelly discharge can also be caused by your body reacting to something you’ve left inside you, like a forgotten tampon or condom.
Most of the conditions that cause abnormal vaginal discharge can be treated fairly easily. If you think something’s not quite right, arrange a consultation with us so we can find out what treatment you may need.
Trying to get pregnant? Monitor your vaginal discharge
If you’re trying to get pregnant then the timing of sex and understanding your menstrual cycle is very important. During your most fertile period (i.e. ovulation) your body will give off certain signals that you can monitor. One of those ways is to pay attention to how your vaginal discharge changes.
As your hormone levels rise and you enter into your fertile period, you’ll start to produce sticky, white and creamy discharge. Immediately before ovulation, the discharge will change to become wetter, clearer and more slippery. This is when you’re at your most fertile and more likely to get pregnant.
You can monitor this by gently inserting a finger into your vagina or checking your underwear.
Summary
Vaginal discharge is a completely normal and healthy bodily function, but sometimes it can signal something that needs medical attention.
If you’re worried about your vaginal discharge, visit our clinic to get a consultation with a non-judgmental and supportive provider. We’ll establish the issue and find the right treatment plan for you Visit our clinics.
