Vaginal discharge will not look the same every day, and that is completely normal. It can change throughout your menstrual cycle and also depending on your hormones and stress levels. You don’t need to worry about every small change. But it does help to know the broad patterns of vaginal discharge colours and what they usually mean.
● Clear or transparent: Most commonly occurring around the time of ovulation, it can be stretchy like egg white, and is usually a sign of healthy discharge.
● White or off‑white: Common before or after your period, can be thin or slightly creamy, and is normal as long as there is no strong smell or itching.
● Yellow or light yellow: Very pale yellow can sometimes be normal. If it becomes a brighter yellow colour and causes an odour, or if you have itching, it could be a sign of infection.
● Green or yellow‑green: More likely linked to infection, especially if thick, frothy or has a bad smell, and often needs medical treatment.
● Pink, red, or brown: This usually indicates a small amount of blood mixed with the discharge. It can happen around your period or after intercourse.
● Grey: Typically associated with bacterial imbalance, it often comes with a fishy smell and needs medical treatment.
Your discharge depends on two things: your cycle and the body’s hormonal shifts. Over the month, your body goes through several types of vaginal discharge.
● Right after your period: It may be very light or almost absent. Some women notice slight brown discharge as old blood clears.
● Before ovulation: It may gradually increase and may be creamy, white or off‑white and also thicker.
● During ovulation: It is typically clear, slippery, and stretchy, similar to egg white. This is healthy and normal.
● After ovulation: It can become thicker, stickier or less in amount. Colour is usually white or off‑white.
● During pregnancy: Many women notice more discharge than usual. It is typically clear or milky. Sudden strong odour or colour change or association with itching should be checked early.
A helpful way to distinguish normal from abnormal discharge is to compare their usual features. Normal discharge keeps the vagina clean and protected, whereas abnormal vaginal discharge often comes with signs of infection or irritation.
Normal discharge is typically clear, white or off‑white in colour. It has a mild scent or none at all. The texture is usually thin, watery, or slightly creamy, and the amount varies with your cycle in a familiar pattern that you get used to over time.
Abnormal discharge looks and feels quite different. The colour shifts to bright yellow, green, grey, or you might even notice unexpected blood mixed in. The smell becomes strong, fishy, foul, or just unusual compared to what you are used to. The texture can turn very thick and clumpy like cottage cheese, or become frothy. Abnormal discharge often comes with itching, burning, soreness, or general discomfort that is hard to ignore. If what you are experiencing fits this, it is safer to speak to a doctor rather than ignore it.
Not all changes are serious, but some do require treatment. Abnormal discharge often happens when the natural balance of bacteria and yeast in the vagina is disturbed. This can be due to a variety of reasons, from antibiotics to new sexual partners, unprotected sex, hormonal changes, or even using harsh soaps.
Yeast overgrowth (vaginal thrush) produces thick, white, clumpy discharge that looks like cottage cheese. It causes intense itching, redness, swelling, and burning, especially during urination or sex.
Bacterial imbalance (bacterial vaginosis) has a thin, grey or white discharge that may be more noticeable, especially after intercourse. It typically has a distinct “fishy” odour.
Sexually transmitted infections like trichomoniasis, chlamydia, and gonorrhoea can cause yellow, green, or yellow‑green discharge, sometimes frothy. Other signs include bad smell, discomfort, pain during sex, or lower abdominal pain. Treatment involves specific antibiotics based on test results for both you and your partner.
A mild scent is normal, but when the odour becomes strong or “fishy”, it usually points to a problem. A fishy smell is often associated with a bacterial imbalance. A strong, unpleasant odour together with coloured discharge may suggest infection, including some STIs. Over‑cleaning or using harsh products can actually trigger or worsen smell issues. If your discharge suddenly smells stronger than usual and is accompanied by discomfort, consult a medical professional. Avoid using perfumes, vaginal sprays, or douches to cover up the smell.
Your discharge is not something to be ashamed of; it is your body's way of talking to you. Once you understand the usual vaginal discharge colours, textures, and patterns that are normal for you, it becomes much easier to spot when something is off. When in doubt between normal vs abnormal discharge, remember that sudden changes, strong smells, and discomfort are your main warning signs
Normal discharge is clear, can be white or off‑white, and typically has little to no smell. It changes throughout your cycle. Abnormal vaginal discharge can be yellow, green, grey, thick, clumpy, or frothy, often with a strong odour and accompanied by itching, burning, or pain.
Light yellow discharge without other symptoms can be expected. Bright yellow or yellow‑green discharge that is thick, frothy, or has a strong odour usually signals an infection, especially if it causes itching or burning.
A foul smell often means the bacterial balance in your vagina has changed due to an infection or imbalance. If the odour is strong, fishy, or foul, see a doctor instead of masking it with scented products.
Worry when there is an apparent change from your usual pattern: new strong odour, green or bright yellow colour, cottage cheese‑like texture, itching, burning, pain, or unexpected bleeding. See a doctor promptly, especially if pregnant or after unprotected sex.
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