What Is Vaginal Discharge? Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Vaginal discharge is a normal occurrence that all women experience. It usually appears as a white or clear fluid on the underwear. Some women have discharge daily and others only on occasion. The discharge is made up of fluid and cells that shed through the vagina.

The amount, color, and consistency of discharge may change based on the stage of your menstrual cycle, per the Mayo Clinic. But discharge is different than menstrual blood.

According to the University of North Carolina School of Medicine, discharge fluid can be several things, including:

Cervical Mucus This is a clear liquid or gel-like fluid that is produced by the cervix as well as by changes during the course of a menstrual cycle or pregnancy.

Arousal Fluid This is produced by glands in and around the vagina when sexual arousal occurs. The fluid lubricates the vagina, then dissipates usually within an hour of arousal.

Seminal Fluid A man’s sperm, along with other fluids. It can appear as vaginal discharge if you’ve had intercourse within the last day (seminal fluid can stay in the vagina for hours after intercourse).

According to the Merck Manual, when abnormal discharge is present, other symptoms may be as well, depending on what is causing the discharge. Other symptoms might include:

• Itching
• Burning
• Irritation
• Redness
• Pain during urination and sexual intercourse

Normal vaginal discharge exists to keep vaginal tissues healthy, provide lubrication, and protect the vagina from infection and irritation.

If vaginal discharge increases, it can be from normal menstrual cycle changes, per the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

Pregnancy and the use of birth control pills can also affect the amount of discharge and how it looks.

Per the Mayo Clinic, abnormal vaginal discharge that has an unusual odor, looks different than your normal discharge, or is accompanied by itching, irritation, burning, or pain may indicate that you have inflammation, an infection, or a sexually transmitted infection (STI), such as the following:

• Bacterial vaginosis
• Cervicitis
• Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
• Trichomoniasis
• Vaginitis
• Yeast infection
• Chlamydia trachomatis
• Gonorrhea
• Vaginal atrophy
• Vaginal fistula
• Cervical cancer
• Vaginal cancer

In elderly women who are bedbound or incontinent, urine or stool may irritate the area around the genitals and anus, causing vaginal discharge, according to the Merck Manual.

Some hygiene practices can cause vaginal discharge to be abnormal, including douching, using soaps or scented sprays, or forgetting to change a tampon.

In rare cases, a woman may have an abnormal opening between the intestine and genital tract that results in an abnormal discharge from the vagina, also per the Merck Manual.

Vaginal discharge, cervical mucus, and arousal fluid are considered normal and not indicative of disease, and therefore they are not typically evaluated. But if you have had a change in discharge or are experiencing symptoms such as burning, irritation, itching, or pain, your doctor may look at your cervical mucus to check for abnormalities that suggest a symptom of an infection or STI. According to HHS, your doctor may perform the following tests:

• Pelvic Exam This involves your doctor examining the vagina and cervix with a speculum and with their hands in order to check for abnormalities in the tissue and organs.
• pH test This determines the acid level of the discharge, because infections can cause changes in the pH of the vagina.
• Wet Mount This test examines a sample of discharge to look for a yeast, bacterial, or trichomoniasis infection.
• STI Testing This involves sending a sample of the discharge to a lab to test for gonorrhea, chlamydia, trichomoniasis or other organisms that may be causing the discharge.

Because vaginal discharge is normal, it will always be present. If the discharge takes on an abnormal character, treatment can help eradicate the underlying cause.

While normal vaginal discharge from cervical mucus, arousal fluid, or semen does not need treatment, discharge caused by an infection or irritation may require the following treatments.

Medication Options

According to HHS and the Merck Manual, treating the underlying issue that is causing unhealthy vaginal discharge might include taking medications, such as:

• Corticosteroid cream, such as hydrocortisone, or an oral antihistamine to relieve itching
• Antibiotic medication to treat bacteria that cause infections
• Vaginal cream containing estrogen to treat vaginitis due to menopause

Alternative and Complementary Therapies

Per the Mayo Clinic and UNC School of Medicine, self-care at home for vaginal discharge might include:

• Over-the-counter antifungal cream for a yeast infection
• Cold compress to relieve itching, swelling, or discomfort of the vulva
• Abstaining from sexual intercourse until the irritation is gone, or using a condom during penetrative sex
• Keeping the genital area clean by washing daily without soap (or with a mild, nonallergenic soap) and rinsing and drying completely
• Changing underwear daily and cleaning the body daily

While vaginal discharge is normal, if it is accompanied by burning, itching, irritation, or pain, it is necessary to get the underlying issue treated. According to HSS and the Mayo Clinic, if the underlying issue is left untreated, some complications can develop, including the following:

• If bacterial vaginosis is present, there is an increased risk of developing STIs.
• If trichomoniasis is present, there is an increased risk of developing other STIs.
• Having symptomatic bacterial vaginosis and trichomoniasis while pregnant has been linked with premature deliveries and low birth weight.
• If left untreated, gonorrhea and chlamydia can cause PID. In turn, PID may cause ectopic pregnancy.

All women have normal vaginal discharge, per the Merck Manual, and vaginal discharge can occur at any time of life, starting in childhood.

During childhood, common causes include:

• Poor hygiene that causes an infection due to bacteria from the digestive tract
• Chemicals in bubble baths or soaps
• A foreign object in the vagina

Reasons for vaginal discharge in women during other times of life are listed in the Causes section above.

The following are related to vaginal discharge, per the Mayo Clinic.

• Vaginal itching
• Bacterial vaginosis
• Yeast infection
• Sexually transmitted infections, such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, or trichomoniasis
• Cervicitis
• Pelvic inflammatory disease
• Vaginitis
• Vaginal atrophy
• Vaginal fistula
• Cervical cancer
• Vaginal cancer
• Pregnancy
• Menopause

Reliable vaginal health resources can be helpful for finding information and support. Many organizations provide educational materials and can help you find doctors who specialize in vaginal conditions and health. There are also online communities that offer support as well as practical advice and tips. Here are a couple that we recommend:

Flo

This organization is dedicated to providing resources and information about women’s well-being.

Planned Parenthood

This well-known organization was founded on the notion that women should have the information and care they need to live strong, healthy lives and fulfill their dreams.