Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is Discharge?Red or BrownWhiteYellow and GreenPinkGrayClearWhen to Seek Care
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What Is Discharge?
Red or Brown
White
Yellow and Green
Pink
Gray
Clear
When to Seek Care
Vaginal discharge color and consistency can change, and its meaning can depend on whether the discharge is red, brown, white, clear, yellow, green, orpink.
Most vaginal discharge is normal. Sometimes, certain colors may indicate a problem that needs treatment.It may be important to have a healthcare provider diagnose your condition, especially when discharge occurs with itching, odor, pain, and other symptoms.
Vaginal Discharge
From puberty, the body begins making discharge. This is normal, a sign of healthy development, and means menstruation is on the way soon.
Discharge may vary across themenstrual cycle. Duringovulation, the discharge may be slippery or thin, a bit like the consistency of egg whites.
After ovulation, the discharge will become cloudy, white or yellow. Shortly before a period, the discharge may become thicker and white. In the days just before and after a period, discharge may be colored red orbrown.
In some cases, a discharge color like gray, yellow, or green may indicate a problem like an infection.
Red or Brown Discharge
Red or brown discharge can be due to a number of causes. They include:
Sexually transmitted infections also may lead to red or brown vaginal discharge.
In some cases, the discharge may appear black.Black dischargecan be normal at the start or end of your period, or during postpartum bleeding. It can also be a sign of a problem, including an STI or even vaginal bleeding due tomiscarriage.
White Discharge
White dischargefrom the vagina is normal and healthy, and can happen every day. Some people may find the amount of discharge they have can vary from day to day depending on the time in their cycle.
Symptoms of Yeast InfectionYeast infectionis one of the most common vaginal infections reported in the United States.Symptoms of a yeast infection include:Itchy vagina (internal) orvulva(external)Redness and swelling in the vulva and vaginaBurning feeling when urinatingCuts or cracks in the vulva
Symptoms of Yeast Infection
Yeast infectionis one of the most common vaginal infections reported in the United States.Symptoms of a yeast infection include:Itchy vagina (internal) orvulva(external)Redness and swelling in the vulva and vaginaBurning feeling when urinatingCuts or cracks in the vulva
Yeast infectionis one of the most common vaginal infections reported in the United States.Symptoms of a yeast infection include:
Yellow and Green Discharge
Yellowandgreendischarge are abnormal and may be indicative of an infection.Types of infections that lead to vaginal discharge can include:
Pink Discharge
Discharge that is pink may be due to:
Gray Discharge
Gray dischargeis abnormal and can be indicative ofbacterial vaginosis, also known as BV orGardnerella vaginalis.It can be spread through sexual contact.
Clear Discharge
Clear dischargeis normal and can be experienced at various times throughout the menstrual cycle, notably during:
How Can I Stop Excessive Discharge?
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Any time you are concerned about your health or are worried about your discharge, you should speak with your healthcare provider. Specific symptoms to discuss with your provider include:
When to Seek Immediate Care
You should also call if you have discharge and think you have been exposed to anSTI.
Summary
Red and brown discharge varies; it may be due to your menstrual cycle or menopause, but it can also indicate infections or other conditions. Similarly, pink discharge may be due to menstruation, but it can also be an early sign of pregnancy.
If you are concerned about your discharge, or have questions about your health, you should speak with your healthcare provider.
19 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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