So today’s topic is definitely not the sexiest, however it is a very important one: vaginal discharge.
In general, discharge generally comes from the vagina and cervical mucus. This means that the skin inside the vagina and the cervix are always going to produce some kind of discharge. So as long as you have a vagina, there will always be some discharge and this actually helps keep the vagina healthy.
However, sometimes the discharge can have certain colors, odors, or textures that can be a sign of either physiologic changes or an infection.
Most women typically notice a clear or whitish discharge without any foul odor. The texture may vary and be thin, watery, or stringy, and this can depend on the time of the month. The amount might change as well – you might have a little bit every day, or nothing on some days and a lot on other days. Basically, there is a wide range of what is normal but it is important to know what is normal for your body.
There are a lot of various types of vaginal discharge. These types are grouped based on their color and consistency. What the color signifies really depends on the situation. It’s hard to isolate the color alone, because even white discharge can be abnormal, depending on what else is happening with the patient. Certain factors have to be considered like a patient’s age, behaviors, menstrual cycle, and other symptoms.
But basically, the colors can mean the following:
White discharge
This is not necessarily abnormal. A little bit of white discharge, particularly at the start or end of your menstrual cycle, is normal. However, if the discharge is followed by itching and if it has a thick consistency with a cottage cheese texture, it could mean there is a yeast infection. So a milky white discharge can be anything from normal to suggestive of an infection depending on if there is anything else going on, such as itching, odor, or pelvic pain. If there are any of these other symptoms, it could be a sign of bacterial vaginosis or an STI.
Clear and Watery
Sometimes a woman may experience a clear and watery discharge .This is completely normal and can happen at any time of the month. It may be particularly heavy after workouts.
Clear and Stretchy
When your discharge is clear and stretchy or looks like mucous instead of water, it is a sign that you are possibly ovulating (so you would expect to notice this around the middle of your menstrual cycle) This is a healthy and perfectly normal discharge.
Yellow Discharge
This can also be normal, but could potentially be a sign of an infection. Generally, when a yellow discharge is thick, chunky, or when it has a bad smell, it is abnormal. This form of discharge may be an indication of the infection known as trichomoniasis, which is usually transmitted through sexual intercourse. Although many women with chlamydia or gonorrhea have no symptoms at all, those that do may experience this type of discharge.
Green Discharge
If you ever look in your underwear and notice a yellow or green thick, chunky and foul smelly discharge, please make an appointment to see your gynecologist as soon as possible because this is always abnormal and suggestive of an infection, most likely a sexually transmitted disease like trichomoniasis.
A lot of women are very shy when it comes to talking about vaginal discharge, but it’s important to know that it is normal and healthy to have it. Even if it’s not a topic you discuss casually with your friends, be as open as possible with your doctors. The little details are very helpful in figuring out what is going on. More information can help your doctor determine whether the discharge you’re experiencing is a cause for concern or not.
