Vaginal discharge: What’s abnormal? In most cases, vaginal discharge is a normal part of a woman's reproductive
system. Fluid from glands inside the vagina and cervix carries away dead cells and bacteria. This keeps the vagina
clean and helps prevent infection. The smell and amount of discharge can vary from woman to woman, and the normal colour can range from clear to a milky whitish at
different times during the menstrual cycle. There may be more discharge if you are ovulating, breastfeeding, or sexually aroused.

The smell may be different if you are pregnant. If the colour, smell, or consistency seems different to normal, or if there is also itching or burning, seek medical advice as this could indicate an infection or other problem.

What causes abnormal discharge?
Any change in the balance of normal bacteria in the vagina can affect the smell, colour, or texture of the discharge. These are a few of the things that can upset that balance:
Antibiotic or steroid use Bacterial vaginosis, which is a bacterial infection that’s not sexually transmitted, but
more common in women who have multiple sexual partners

Birth control pills. Cervical cancer
Chlamydia or gonorrhoea, which are sexually
transmitted infections
Diabetes
Scented soaps or lotions, bubble bath
Pelvic infection after surgery

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) Trichomoniasis, which is a parasitic infection typically caused by having unprotected sex Vaginal atrophy, which is thinning and drying
out of the vaginal walls during and after the
menopause Vaginitis, which is irritation in or around the
vagina

Yeast infections
See the chart below to learn more about what a particular type of discharge might mean. Types of abnormal discharge and their

possible causes
Any change in the balance of normal bacteria in the vagina can affect the smell, colour, or texture of the discharge. These are a few of the things that can upset the balance:
Type of Discharge What It Might Mean Other

Symptoms
Bloody or brown Irregular menstrual cycles, or less often,
cervical or endometrial cancer Irregular vaginal bleeding,
pelvic pain
Cloudy or
yellow Gonorrhoea Bleeding
between
periods,
painful
urination
Frothy, yellow or greenish
with a bad
smell Trichomoniasis Pain and
itching while
urinating
Pink Shedding of the
uterine lining
after childbirth
(lochia)
Thick, white,
cheesy Yeast infection Swelling and
pain around
the vulva,
itching, painful
sexual
intercourse
White, grey, or
yellow with
fishy odour Bacterial
vaginosis Itching or
burning,
redness and
swelling of the
vagina or vulva

How does the doctor diagnose abnormal
discharge?
The doctor will start by taking a health history
and asking about your symptoms. Questions the
doctor may ask include:

When did the abnormal discharge begin?
What colour is the discharge?
Is there any smell?

Do you have any itching, pain, or burning in or
around the vagina?

Do you have more than one sexual partner?
Do you douche?

The doctor may take swabs from the vagina,
cervix and urethra for testing.

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Ilerry

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