This can help you avoid an infection in the days just after your period, when your vagina produces less fluid than it does during the other points of your cycle. Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Jan. 13, 2016. . Douching can upset the natural balance of organisms in your body. Vaginal discharge can be completely normal, or it can be a symptom of certain health conditions such as a yeast or bacterial infection. In genitourinary syndrome of menopause, discharge is scant and may be watery and thin or thick and yellowish. Thats the case with a yeast infection. Surgery to remove the fibroids. Diagnosis is by biopsy. Vaginal Discharge Color: What's Normal and What Isn't The discharge acts as a barrier to protect the cervix from infection. The trusted provider of medical information since 1899, Reviewed/Revised Feb 2022 | Modified Sep 2022. Your vagina may swell and be itchy, and sex may be painful. Bacterial vaginosis results from overgrowth of one of several bacteria naturally found in your vagina. So, keep an eye on your vaginal discharge for any sudden changes in color, texture or smell, but remember: Some amount of discharge is also part of a healthily functioning vagina. Vaginal candidiasis. However, if you have excessive discharge, you can talk to your provider about ways to manage it. 1998-2023 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). Watery vaginal discharge is typically normal and can be due to natural hormonal fluctuations that occur during reproductive processes in a woman's body, like ovulation and pregnancy, or during sexual arousal or menopause . It often coincides with symptoms like vaginal burning or itchiness and a strange or strong smell down there. Women who are incontinent or bedbound may develop chemical vulvitis. Vaginal secretions are tested using pH paper with 0.2 intervals from pH 4.0 to 6.0. Symptoms may also include irritation, burning, erythema, and sometimes dyspareunia. Bacterial vaginosis Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) Bacterial vaginosis is a dysbiosis, a complex alteration of vaginal flora, in which lactobacilli decrease and anaerobic pathogens overgrow. Both infections are treated with antibiotics from your healthcare provider. This could be from detergents, soaps, sexual lubricants or materials used in condoms or sex toys. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Any specific cause of the itching or discharge is treated. Wipe your vagina from front to back. Women who are incontinent or bedbound may develop chemical vulvitis. Mayo Clinic on Incontinence - Mayo Clinic Press, Mayo Clinic on Hearing and Balance - Mayo Clinic Press, FREE Mayo Clinic Diet Assessment - Mayo Clinic Press, Mayo Clinic Health Letter - FREE book - Mayo Clinic Press, Assortment Women's Health Products from Mayo Clinic Store, Book: Mayo Clinic Family Health Book, 5th Edition, Newsletter: Mayo Clinic Health Letter Digital Edition, Thin, gray, white or green vaginal discharge. As you get closer to ovulation, your vaginal discharge will thin out into a clear or milky discharge. You've never had a vaginal infection. Flushing the genital area with lukewarm water may also provide relief. These infections may also cause pelvic inflammatory disease Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is a polymicrobial infection of the upper female genital tract: the cervix, uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries; abscess may occur. Sexually transmitted diseases treatment guidelines, 2015. Dyspareunia is common, and vaginal tissue appears thin and dry. When its getting ready to release an egg from an ovary (ovulate), your body makes awatery discharge. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. The following findings are of particular concern: Fecal discharge (suggesting a fistula, even if not seen), Trichomonal vaginitis in children (suggesting sexual abuse). In women, trichomoniasis typically infects the vagina, and might cause symptoms. You should contact your pregnancy care provider if you notice changes in vaginal discharge during pregnancy. The earliest signs are skin fragility, bruising, and sometimes read more , lichen planus Tinea Versicolor Tinea versicolor is skin infection with Malassezia furfur that manifests as multiple asymptomatic scaly patches varying in color from white to tan to brown to pink. However, if the color of the discharge develops a white-gray shade and a strong fishy odor, the discharge may be a sign of an infection. Discharge is normal, but changes in the amount, consistency, color or smell could indicate an infection or other problem. Vaginal itching and discharge - adult and adolescent - MedlinePlus The discharge may start out thinner in the days leading up to ovulation, or when an egg is released. Changes in the color, texture, smell or amount of your usual vaginal discharge may mean there is a problem. If youve experienced more than 4 yeast infections in a 1-year window, make an appointment to see your doctor. Bacterial vaginosis CDC fact sheet. Other common causes of decreased estrogen in older women include oophorectomy, pelvic radiation, and certain chemotherapy drugs. Symptoms include vaginal discharge, irritation, pruritus, and erythema read more ), often with inflammation of the vulva (vulvovaginitis). Review/update the FAQs: Vaginitis. Its normal and healthy for your body to produce vaginal discharge. Symptoms include vaginal discharge, irritation, pruritus, and erythema read more , usually due to infection with gastrointestinal tract flora. Tindamax (prescribing information). Your vagina naturally keeps itself clean with the help of certain healthy bacteria. Find out what may be causing this, other symptoms to look for, and when to see your, About 29 percent of adult women in the United States have bacterial vaginosis (BV). Vaginal discharge is typically white or clear, and may be thick or thin in texture. A trichomonal infection Trichomoniasis Trichomoniasis is infection of the vagina or male genital tract with Trichomonas vaginalis. If youre unsure, its best to contact your healthcare provider. At any age, a fistula between the intestines and genital tract can predispose to vaginal or vulvar infection. Your normal discharge may range from milky to white. Cleocin (prescribing information). Candidal vaginitis Candidal Vaginitis Candidal vaginitis is vaginal infection with Candida species, usually C. albicans. Less commonly, a vaginal discharge in children results from sexual abuse Sexual abuse Child maltreatment includes all types of abuse and neglect of a child under the age of 18 by a parent, caregiver, or another person in a custodial role (eg, clergy, coach, teacher) that results read more . Vaginal discharge from a yeast infection usually has a thicker, clumpier consistency (like cottage cheese) and comes along with symptoms like burning and itchiness. Factors that predispose to overgrowth of bacterial vaginal pathogens include, Use of antibiotics (which may decrease lactobacilli), Alkaline vaginal pH due to menstrual blood or semen, An intravaginal foreign body (eg, a forgotten tampon or vaginal pessary). In fact, the discharge can mean your vagina is healthy. Its your vaginas way of staying clean and healthy. It typically infects epithelia of the urethra, cervix, rectum, pharynx, or conjunctivae, causing irritation or pain and purulent read more and chlamydial infections Diagnosis Sexually transmitted urethritis, cervicitis, proctitis, and pharyngitis (that are not due to gonorrhea) are caused predominantly by chlamydiae and less frequently by mycoplasmas. Inflammation affecting both your vulva and your vagina is called vulvovaginitis. It causes ulcerative genital lesions. Symptoms include a yellow-green or gray, thin, malodorous read more, Candidal vulvovaginitis Candidal Vaginitis Candidal vaginitis is vaginal infection with Candida species, usually C. albicans. If you have an infection that does not resolve after the first round of treatment, your provider may need to do more tests to figure out whats causing it. For example, you may leave a tampon inside your vagina. If no foreign body is present and children have trichomonal vaginitis, sexual abuse is likely. Findings may include cervical or vaginal discharge and cervical erythema and friability. Symptoms may also include irritation, burning, erythema, and sometimes dyspareunia. They do know that some types are spread by having sex with an infected person. In the early stages of pregnancy, some people produce a thin, milky white discharge. 2023 Healthline Media LLC. History of present illness includes nature of symptoms (eg, pruritus, burning, pain, discharge), duration, and intensity. Most of the time, vaginal discharge is perfectly normal. Vaginal discharge Causes - Mayo Clinic Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Read on to learn when white discharge means you need to seek a doctors guidance. Its a sign that your vagina is doing its job! This content does not have an Arabic version. The KOH preparation is sniffed (whiff test) for a fishy odor, which results from amines produced in trichomonal vaginitis and bacterial vaginosis. Abdominal pain, cervical motion tenderness, or cervical inflammation suggests PID. Vulvitis refers to inflammation affecting your genitals, or vulva the outer part of your reproductive anatomy. If symptoms are moderate or severe or do not respond to other measures, drugs may be needed. Women or people assigned female at birth (AFAB) have varying amounts of vaginal discharge. Contact your healthcare provider if you have other changes in your discharge or if its coupled with other symptoms like pain or itching. Another cause of abnormal discharge could also be an STD. In the first days of your menstrual cycle, you may experience thin, milky white vaginal discharge. Vaginal discharge color guide: Causes and when to see a doctor Click here for an email preview. For example, wearing a wet bathing suit too long, douching, or antibiotic use can cause yeast infections. The external genitals are examined for erythema, excoriations, and swelling. There are several steps you can take to lower your risk of, Bacterial vaginosis can be a stubborn infection that keeps coming back. Noninfectious vulvitis accounts for up to 30% of vulvovaginitis cases. If you have vaginal discharge that is thick, clumpy, or an unusual color, call your provider. Pfizer; 2018. http://labeling.pfizer.com/ShowLabeling.aspx?id=570. A milky white discharge can also be an early sign of pregnancy. Chlamydiae read more is typically done unless a noninfectious cause (eg, allergy, foreign body) is obvious. Examples include: See your health care provider if you develop vaginal discomfort, especially if: You probably don't need to see your health care provider every time you have vaginal irritation and discharge, particularly if: There is a problem with Yours may biodegrade before it makes its way out of your body, or you might produce a lot of discharge and be accustomed to seeing it in your underwear, Dr. Goje says. Vaginitis refers to inflammation that affects your vagina inside your body. Some Causes of Vaginal Pruritus and Discharge, Chlamydia and Mycoplasmal Mucosal Infections, Brought to you by Merck & Co, Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA (known as MSD outside the US and Canada) dedicated to using leading-edge science to save and improve lives around the world. An increase in the amount of vaginal discharge. Bacterial vaginosis signs and symptoms may include: Many women with bacterial vaginosis have no signs or symptoms. more than 4 yeast infections in a 1-year window, obstetrics-gynaecology-journal.com/article/S1751-7214(19)30206-4/fulltext, ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7905126/, womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/vaginal-yeast-infections, youngwomenshealth.org/2019/07/25/what-does-clear-stretchy-discharge-mean/.