What Do Vaginal Discharge Colors Mean?

Let’s face it, the vagina is pretty amazing. It births new life, gives us pleasure, and can even clean itself. It can also provide the first signs of a yeast infection, a Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI), or even pregnancy. How? Through vaginal discharge. 

Vaginal discharge isn’t the most comfortable thing to think about, but vaginal discharge actually plays a very important role. It helps remove harmful bacteria, dead cells, and other debris from your vagina to keep it healthy and lubricated. Normal vaginal discharge is also slightly acidic with a pH range of 3.8-4.2, which creates an environment that supports healthy bacteria and discourages imbalance.

Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. See full disclaimer below.

What does normal vaginal discharge look like?

Normal vaginal discharge ranges from thin and clear to more like egg whites, depending on where you are in your menstrual cycle. The amount of discharge can change depending on your cycle, too. For example, when you’re ovulating, you may notice you have a bit more vaginal discharge than usual and it’s thin and clear. If you are pregnant, you may also notice an increase in watery, clear discharge as the cervix and vaginal walls begin to soften.

Other lifestyle factors that can affect your vaginal discharge include your diet and hydration levels, exercise intensity, and stress. After an intense workout, for example, you may notice some white discharge in your underwear. 

Normal vaginal discharge may have a mild odor, but nothing that would be described as fishy or foul. If your discharge has an intense smell, an unusual consistency, or a color that’s not clear or white, this could be an indication of a larger issue, perhaps one that requires a visit to your doctor, especially if it’s also accompanied by symptoms like vaginal itching or burning during urination.

What’s considered “normal” when it comes to vaginal discharge also changes throughout your life. Vaginal discharge first appears after a woman’s first period, increases during pregnancy to help prevent vaginal infections, and then decreases after menopause, which is why one of the most common symptoms of menopause is vaginal dryness. 

What do different vaginal discharge colors mean?

Vaginal discharge not looking the way we described above? Don’t worry. You aren’t alone. In fact, about 10 million office visits every year are due to vaginal discharge complaints, many having to do with sudden changes in coloration, with women citing yellow, green, grey, or even brown discharge. 

White Vaginal Discharge

White discharge typically means that you’re healthy. The discharge can either be thick or thin. Thin white discharge is typically associated with exercise or sexual arousal, while thick white discharge is common after ovulation/before your period. 

However, if you ever notice that your white discharge is also accompanied by a foul fishy odor, intense itching, or severe burning, you might have a vaginal or urinary tract infection (UTI). If the discharge is thick and clumpy, almost like cottage cheese, this is another common sign of a vaginal infection, particularly a yeast infection. 

The good news is that yeast infections are typically treatable, and your healthcare provider can recommend the right approach.

Light Yellow Vaginal Discharge

If you ever notice a slightly yellow discharge, this is often considered normal. Usually, light yellow discharge is the result of a change in diet or hydration. When you are dehydrated, for example, you may notice slightly yellow discharge. It could also mean it is slightly richer in bacteria, but again, this is not usually a sign of infection. Remember, it's the discharge's job to clean out bacteria!

Dark Yellow to Green Vaginal Discharge

If you notice vaginal discharge that is intensely yellow or yellow-green, this is usually the sign of a bacterial infection or an STI, especially if the discharge is a thick, gooey consistency with a foul odor. 

Dark yellow or green discharge can be associated with bacterial vaginosis, trichomoniasis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia. If it is accompanied by a smell, especially after sexual activity, genital herpes (another STI) could be at play. The suspicion of any of these requires an immediate trip to see a healthcare professional. They can help you identify the exact cause. 

In rare cases, this kind of discharge is a sign of pelvic inflammatory disease, or PID, especially if it also involves pelvic pain, but making a distinction between PID and an STI is something that can only be done by a gynecologist or other women’s health professional.

Green to Gray Vaginal Discharge

If you are noticing green or grayish discharge that’s also cloudy and accompanied by painful urination, this can indicate pus or an abscess in your vagina. While the word “abscess” is scary—and can be pretty uncomfortable!—your doctor can help resolve it. Often, this is done through antibiotics. 

Of course, anyone who has struggled with vaginal infections knows that gray discharge is also one of the most common symptoms of BV, along with redness around the vulva, irritation, vaginal itching, and a strong foul odor. These symptoms and the odor often flare up after sex, as 26-year-old Shanice learned:

“Every time after sex, I would have this smell, and I'm like, ‘What's going on? This is weird.’ After two weeks, it went away, and then it started coming back month after month.”

After visiting her doctor, Shanice found out she had BV. As for how she finally broke the BV cycle, keep reading! We’ll discuss the simple, cost-effective changes she made to end BV for good. 

Pink Vaginal Discharge

If your vaginal discharge is pink, this means it contains a small amount of blood. It can also be light or darker pink, depending on the blood quantity. It is usually normal and occurs with spotting before a period or just after ovulation. 

You can also experience pink discharge during early pregnancy as a sign of implantation bleeding or after rough sexual intercourse. 

Red Vaginal Discharge

Usually, red vaginal discharge indicates a particular stage of your menstrual cycle—your period! Therefore, it usually doesn’t indicate anything serious. On the off chance you are experiencing red vaginal discharge outside of menstruation, reach out to your gynecologist or another healthcare provider so they can help investigate. 

Brown Vaginal Discharge

Brown discharge is also usually associated with your menstrual cycle. Most often, women notice brown vaginal discharge towards the end of their period. 

However, if you are pregnant or post-menopausal, brown vaginal discharge could be an indicator of something else. For pregnant women, brown vaginal discharge could be the sign of a miscarriage, especially if it’s accompanied by dizziness or abdominal pain. For postmenopausal women, brown vaginal discharge could be a sign of endometrial cancer (the most common type of uterine cancer).

Of course, “miscarriage” and “cancer” are both frightening words to read. Remember that these are not the only reasons for brown discharge, though, and that the best way to get some clarity is to see your doctor. 

What are signs I need to see a healthcare provider concerning unusual discharge?

If you notice any atypical discharge, see your doctor. They will be able to accurately diagnose the cause of your unusual discharge by asking you about your symptoms and performing a physical exam.

While we’ve thrown around a lot of potential causes (some of them a little scary sounding), Happy V medical advisor Dr. Barry Peskin says that in his decades of experience as an OB/GYN, the most common causes for unusual discharge that he sees include yeast infections, BV, vaginitis (soreness and/or swelling around the vagina), or another bacterial infection. 

All of these are highly treatable with antifungals or antibiotics. The worst thing you can do, Dr. Peskin says, both for your own health and comfort is to wait. 

How To Keep Your Vagina Clean and Avoid Abnormal Vaginal Discharge

If you’re currently experiencing abnormal vaginal discharge or any other sign of an infection, the best thing you can do is make an appointment with your doctor. They will help you diagnose and treat the underlying issue to resolve your discharge issues. 

As for how to keep that unusual discharge from coming back, there are a few simple tips that make a huge difference. Follow these tips, and you’ll be doing what you can to prevent unusual discharge and maintain vaginal health. 

• Avoid using scented creams or soaps in your vagina. Using chemically-infused products can disrupt normal pH levels, allowing harmful bacteria to overtake good bacteria.
• Do not overuse vaginal cleansers; remember, your vagina can already clean itself. If you do want to wash your vulva in the shower, you can use a soft washcloth with mild, unscented soap and warm water.
• Don’t use vaginal douches. You could be flushing good bacteria away, leaving you more vulnerable to infection.
• Use protection when you have sex, and avoid having multiple sexual partners. And don’t be afraid to have open conversations with your partner about any unusual symptoms you experience, either! Remember, as a couple, you are in this together. Open discussions protect your health and theirs.
• Increase your probiotic intake. Probiotics are essentially good, infection-fighting bacteria. Foods like Greek yogurt, kimchi, kombucha, and sauerkraut are all high in natural probiotics and should definitely be added to your diet. However, if you have a history of vaginal infections or unusual discharge, you may also want to consider a probiotic for vaginal health to help maintain microbial balance. Just be sure to talk with your doctor before beginning any new supplements! Remember that results can vary, and supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration for the prevention or treatment of any condition.
• Increase your Vitamin C. Foods like oranges, pineapple, and papaya are all high in Vitamin C, which has natural antioxidant powers. 
• Change into dry, clean clothes immediately after exercising or swimming. Bacteria love dark, moist environments, so staying in sweaty clothes or a wet bathing suit can fuel bad bacteria growth. 
• Change your tampon regularly. Leaving menstrual blood in your vagina too long can alter your vaginal pH, decreasing your body’s natural defenses against vaginal infections.

Knowing the Difference Between Healthy Discharge and Abnormal Discharge Can Help You Have a Happy V

We can’t say it enough—the human body is fantastic. The colors and textures of your vaginal discharge are your vagina’s way of telling you what’s happening in your body. While those colors and textures (and odors!) are not always pleasant, they should never be ignored. Your body is giving you information you need about your health and what it needs to get or stay well—listen to what it’s saying!

Disclaimer: This blog is for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Statements about supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.