Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsOverviewMenstruationAbnormal DischargeCausesTreatment
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Overview
Menstruation
Abnormal Discharge
Causes
Treatment
Healthy vaginas produce vaginal discharge or fluid. This is completely normal but when these fluids change, it can signal a problem. What does normal discharge look like? It is has the following characteristics:
This article describes healthy vaginal fluids. It also explains which types of discharge may mean there’s an infection.
Normal Vaginal Discharge
First, it’s important to know that all vaginas secrete fluids. Glands in your vagina andcervixproduce small amounts of fluid that flow out of your body every day. These fluids lubricate the vagina.
One of the many functions of your vagina is to provide a route to youruterusand reproductive system. The fluids in your vagina also help to create a naturally acidic environment. ThepH of your vaginahelps prevent infections. It also helps to promote a good balance of bacteria or flora.
Clear, Sticky Discharge: What Does It Mean?
Menstruation and Vaginal Discharge
Yourmenstrual cyclehas a large effect on the type of fluid your vagina makes. About halfway between your periods, you will see a normal increase in clear discharge.More wetness and clear fluidsignal ovulation. That’s when your ovaries release an egg. After you ovulate, your vaginal fluid has less water in it. Your vagina may then feel drier.
It’s important to know your own body’s patterns. Cyclic changes in your vaginal fluids are important clues to your health. Normal changes are a sign that your endocrine system is working well.
It’s also important to know that you’re more vulnerable to infections just before or during your period. That’s because the pH balance of your vagina varies during your cycle. The acidic level is at its lowest point a few days before and during your period. Lower acid may make it easier for bacteria to thrive.
Signs of Abnormal Discharge
Differences in your vaginal fluids could mean you have an infection or other health condition. If you suddenly have much more vaginal fluid than you normally do, it may be a sign of a problem.
Color is also important. Brightyellowor green discharge could be a concern. Thick, clumped, or chunky discharge (like cottage cheese) or extra watery discharge can also mean something is amiss.
Some other signs of infection include:
If you notice changes like these, talk to your healthcare provider to see what’s going on.
Why Is My Discharge Black? 7 Causes
What Abnormal or Stringy Discharge May Mean
Causes of Abnormal Vaginal Discharge
Infections
Common causes of abnormal vaginal discharge include:
A note for those who use tampons: If you leave a tampon in too long, you may develop an infection that changes your discharge.
Non-Infectious Causes
Some of the things that can disrupt the vagina’s environment include:
Thetreatmentwill depend on the underlying cause. For a yeast infection, you can get OTC Monistat (clotrimazole), but you may want to see your healthcare provider before self-treating.
For BV, you’ll need a prescription. Usually, your healthcare provider will prescribe oral metronidazole.
You’ll also need to see a healthcare provider if you think you may have an STI.
Summary
Vaginas secrete fluids that change over the course of a month. These fluids keep the vagina clean and well-lubricated. They can also tell you a lot about what stage of the menstrual cycle your body is in.
Healthy vaginal fluids are generally clear or milky-looking. They are mostly water and don’t have a strong smell.
You may have an infection or another health condition if your vaginal fluids change in color, consistency, or odor in ways that aren’t normal for you. If you notice these changes, talk to a healthcare provider to see what’s causing the differences. If you have an infection, you may need prescription medication.
17 SourcesVerywell 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.Sim M, Logan S, Goh L.Vaginal discharge: evaluation and management in primary care.smedj. June 2020:297-301. doi:10.11622/smedj.2020088Godha K, Tucker KM, Biehl C, Archer DF, Mirkin S.Human vaginal pH and microbiota: an update.Gynecol Endocrinol. 2018;34(6):451-455. doi:10.1080/09513590.2017.1407753Miller EA, Beasley DE, Dunn RR, Archie EA.Lactobacilli dominance and vaginal pH: Why is the human vaginal microbiome unique?.Front Microbiol. 2016;7:1936. doi:10.3389/fmicb.2016.01936Vigil P, Lyon C, Flores B, Rioseco H, Serrano F.Ovulation, a sign of health.Linacre Q. 2017;84(4):343-355. doi:10.1080/00243639.2017.1394053Lin YP, Chen WC, Cheng CM, Shen CJ.Vaginal pH value for clinical diagnosis and treatment of common vaginitis.Diagnostics (Basel). 2021;11(11):1996. doi:10.3390/diagnostics11111996American Academy of Family Physicians.Abnormal Uterine Bleeding.Paladine HL, Desai UA.Vaginitis: Diagnosis and treatment.Am Fam Physician. 2018;97(5):321-329.Martin Lopez JE.Candidiasis (vulvovaginal).BMJ Clin Evid. 2015:0815Hay P.Bacterial vaginosis.F1000Res. 2017;6:1761. doi:10.12688/f1000research.11417.1American Academy of Family Physicians.Common Sexually Transmitted Infections.National Library of Medicine.Bacterial Vaginosis.U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services Office of Women’s Health.Vaginal yeast infections.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Trichomoniasis.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Chlamydia.National Health Service.Gonorrhoea.Amabebe E, Anumba DOC.The vaginal microenvironment: The physiologic role of lactobacilli.Front Med. 2018;5:181. doi:10.3389/fmed.2018.00181Chavoustie SE, Jacobs M, Reisman HA, et al.Metronidazole vaginal gel 1.3% in the treatment of bacterial vaginosis: a dose-ranging study.J Low Genit Tract Dis. 2015;19(2):129-134. doi:10.1097/LGT.0000000000000062
17 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.Sim M, Logan S, Goh L.Vaginal discharge: evaluation and management in primary care.smedj. June 2020:297-301. doi:10.11622/smedj.2020088Godha K, Tucker KM, Biehl C, Archer DF, Mirkin S.Human vaginal pH and microbiota: an update.Gynecol Endocrinol. 2018;34(6):451-455. doi:10.1080/09513590.2017.1407753Miller EA, Beasley DE, Dunn RR, Archie EA.Lactobacilli dominance and vaginal pH: Why is the human vaginal microbiome unique?.Front Microbiol. 2016;7:1936. doi:10.3389/fmicb.2016.01936Vigil P, Lyon C, Flores B, Rioseco H, Serrano F.Ovulation, a sign of health.Linacre Q. 2017;84(4):343-355. doi:10.1080/00243639.2017.1394053Lin YP, Chen WC, Cheng CM, Shen CJ.Vaginal pH value for clinical diagnosis and treatment of common vaginitis.Diagnostics (Basel). 2021;11(11):1996. doi:10.3390/diagnostics11111996American Academy of Family Physicians.Abnormal Uterine Bleeding.Paladine HL, Desai UA.Vaginitis: Diagnosis and treatment.Am Fam Physician. 2018;97(5):321-329.Martin Lopez JE.Candidiasis (vulvovaginal).BMJ Clin Evid. 2015:0815Hay P.Bacterial vaginosis.F1000Res. 2017;6:1761. doi:10.12688/f1000research.11417.1American Academy of Family Physicians.Common Sexually Transmitted Infections.National Library of Medicine.Bacterial Vaginosis.U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services Office of Women’s Health.Vaginal yeast infections.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Trichomoniasis.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Chlamydia.National Health Service.Gonorrhoea.Amabebe E, Anumba DOC.The vaginal microenvironment: The physiologic role of lactobacilli.Front Med. 2018;5:181. doi:10.3389/fmed.2018.00181Chavoustie SE, Jacobs M, Reisman HA, et al.Metronidazole vaginal gel 1.3% in the treatment of bacterial vaginosis: a dose-ranging study.J Low Genit Tract Dis. 2015;19(2):129-134. doi:10.1097/LGT.0000000000000062
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.
Sim M, Logan S, Goh L.Vaginal discharge: evaluation and management in primary care.smedj. June 2020:297-301. doi:10.11622/smedj.2020088Godha K, Tucker KM, Biehl C, Archer DF, Mirkin S.Human vaginal pH and microbiota: an update.Gynecol Endocrinol. 2018;34(6):451-455. doi:10.1080/09513590.2017.1407753Miller EA, Beasley DE, Dunn RR, Archie EA.Lactobacilli dominance and vaginal pH: Why is the human vaginal microbiome unique?.Front Microbiol. 2016;7:1936. doi:10.3389/fmicb.2016.01936Vigil P, Lyon C, Flores B, Rioseco H, Serrano F.Ovulation, a sign of health.Linacre Q. 2017;84(4):343-355. doi:10.1080/00243639.2017.1394053Lin YP, Chen WC, Cheng CM, Shen CJ.Vaginal pH value for clinical diagnosis and treatment of common vaginitis.Diagnostics (Basel). 2021;11(11):1996. doi:10.3390/diagnostics11111996American Academy of Family Physicians.Abnormal Uterine Bleeding.Paladine HL, Desai UA.Vaginitis: Diagnosis and treatment.Am Fam Physician. 2018;97(5):321-329.Martin Lopez JE.Candidiasis (vulvovaginal).BMJ Clin Evid. 2015:0815Hay P.Bacterial vaginosis.F1000Res. 2017;6:1761. doi:10.12688/f1000research.11417.1American Academy of Family Physicians.Common Sexually Transmitted Infections.National Library of Medicine.Bacterial Vaginosis.U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services Office of Women’s Health.Vaginal yeast infections.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Trichomoniasis.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Chlamydia.National Health Service.Gonorrhoea.Amabebe E, Anumba DOC.The vaginal microenvironment: The physiologic role of lactobacilli.Front Med. 2018;5:181. doi:10.3389/fmed.2018.00181Chavoustie SE, Jacobs M, Reisman HA, et al.Metronidazole vaginal gel 1.3% in the treatment of bacterial vaginosis: a dose-ranging study.J Low Genit Tract Dis. 2015;19(2):129-134. doi:10.1097/LGT.0000000000000062
Sim M, Logan S, Goh L.Vaginal discharge: evaluation and management in primary care.smedj. June 2020:297-301. doi:10.11622/smedj.2020088
Godha K, Tucker KM, Biehl C, Archer DF, Mirkin S.Human vaginal pH and microbiota: an update.Gynecol Endocrinol. 2018;34(6):451-455. doi:10.1080/09513590.2017.1407753
Miller EA, Beasley DE, Dunn RR, Archie EA.Lactobacilli dominance and vaginal pH: Why is the human vaginal microbiome unique?.Front Microbiol. 2016;7:1936. doi:10.3389/fmicb.2016.01936
Vigil P, Lyon C, Flores B, Rioseco H, Serrano F.Ovulation, a sign of health.Linacre Q. 2017;84(4):343-355. doi:10.1080/00243639.2017.1394053
Lin YP, Chen WC, Cheng CM, Shen CJ.Vaginal pH value for clinical diagnosis and treatment of common vaginitis.Diagnostics (Basel). 2021;11(11):1996. doi:10.3390/diagnostics11111996
American Academy of Family Physicians.Abnormal Uterine Bleeding.
Paladine HL, Desai UA.Vaginitis: Diagnosis and treatment.Am Fam Physician. 2018;97(5):321-329.
Martin Lopez JE.Candidiasis (vulvovaginal).BMJ Clin Evid. 2015:0815
Hay P.Bacterial vaginosis.F1000Res. 2017;6:1761. doi:10.12688/f1000research.11417.1
American Academy of Family Physicians.Common Sexually Transmitted Infections.
National Library of Medicine.Bacterial Vaginosis.
U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services Office of Women’s Health.Vaginal yeast infections.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Trichomoniasis.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Chlamydia.
National Health Service.Gonorrhoea.
Amabebe E, Anumba DOC.The vaginal microenvironment: The physiologic role of lactobacilli.Front Med. 2018;5:181. doi:10.3389/fmed.2018.00181
Chavoustie SE, Jacobs M, Reisman HA, et al.Metronidazole vaginal gel 1.3% in the treatment of bacterial vaginosis: a dose-ranging study.J Low Genit Tract Dis. 2015;19(2):129-134. doi:10.1097/LGT.0000000000000062
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
