The Colors Of Vaginal Discharge & What They Mean

Despite popular belief, vaginal discharge is completely normal. In fact, it exists to keep the vagina clean and protect it from infection. This means that most of the time when you do notice vaginal discharge, it’s likely nothing to worry about. However, if you notice a difference in color, it might be an indication that something isn’t quite right. 

Below we cover everything you need to know about vaginal discharge colors and their meaning including when it's time to speak with your doctor.

What does a colored discharge mean?

Vaginal discharge is the term used to describe the combination of fluids and cells that are shed from the vagina. This is how your body works to keep your vagina healthy and protect it against any infection or irritation. Typically the color, consistency, and even volume vary depending on what stage of the menstrual cycle you're in – that’s why you might notice a difference right before your period or on the day of ovulation. 

Normal and healthy discharge can vary in so many ways which means that if you do notice a slight change, it’s pretty likely that there is nothing to be too concerned about. Still, an unusual-colored discharge that is accompanied by odor or even pain might be a symptom of a vaginal infection or a sexually transmitted infection (STI) like chlamydia or gonorrhea. 

Clear

Clear discharge usually means you’re in the clear. That’s right, clear discharge is totally normal and in the majority of cases is even considered healthy. It usually occurs at different stages of your cycle but can be particularly noticeable during ovulation. Experts note that the amount can also change during 

• Exercise
• During/after sex 

With that said if you notice that your clear discharge also has an odor or you are also experiencing pain or itching, make some time to speak with a healthcare provider you trust to rule out any underlying causes. 

White

White, milky, or cream discharge is quite common and like clear discharge, it’s usually a sign that you are about to ovulate. White vaginal discharge is also the type of discharge that women report in early pregnancy. As well as this, some of the most common causes of white vaginal discharge can include

• Birth control 
• Oncoming period 

If your white discharge is accompanied by certain textures, odors, or a burning sensation when you pee, it might be a sign of a yeast infection or bacterial vaginosis. Although uncomfortable, both potential causes are relatively harmless and can be treated. To lower your risk of future complications with either infection, it’s recommended to 

• Wear breathable underwear
• Avoid douching 
• Change out of wet clothes 
• Use condoms correctly every time you have sex 

Gray

Gray discharge is one of the most common indicators of bacterial vaginosis (BV) – a condition that changes the normal bacterial balance in the vagina. Although there is no known cause of BV, you are more at risk if you are sexually active. If BV is the underlying cause of your gray discharge, you may also notice the below symptoms 

• Pain, itching, or burning in the vagina 
• Itching around the outside of the vagina 
• Burning sensation when you pee 
• Strong fish-like odor 

Remember, as noted above, BV is almost always harmless and can sometimes even go away without treatment. However, it is important to treat the infection with a course of antibiotics to avoid any potentially serious health risks. To lower your risk of BV, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend 

• Limiting your number of sexual partners
• Using condoms correctly every time you have sex 
• Avoiding douching 

Yellow

Yellow discharge is not always cause for concern. Experts suggest that a totally odorless, pale yellow discharge with no other accompanying symptoms is likely nothing to worry about. However, a thick yellow discharge can be a sign of an STI or pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) which occurs when a sexually transmitted infection goes untreated. If a bacterial STI or PID is the underlying cause of your yellow discharge, you may also notice 

• Pain in the lower abdomen 
• Burning sensation when you pee
• Pain during sex 
• Fever
• Strong odor

STIs that can cause yellow discharge such as gonorrhea and chlamydia can all be effectively treated. And so can PID – once diagnosed early. This means that no matter the underlying cause of your yellow discharge, there is effective treatment available. To lower your risk of bacterial infections and PID, it’s recommended to 

• Limit your number of sexual partners
• Use condoms correctly every time you have sex 
• Regularly check in on your sexual health through testing 

Green

Green discharge is probably unsurprisingly an indicator that something isn’t quite right – especially if it's accompanied by a strong odor, itchiness, or a burning sensation when you pee. More often than not, it is a sign of trichomoniasis (more commonly known as ‘trich’), a common and treatable STI. If trich is the underlying cause of your green discharge, you may also experience 

• Itching, burning, or vaginal pain 
• Uncomfortable sensation when peeing 
• Discomfort during sex 
• Strong odor 

Trich can be diagnosed with a test and according to the CDC is one of the most curable STIs. To lower your chances of contracting trich, it’s recommended to

• Limit your number of sexual partners
• Use condoms correctly every time you have sex 
• Regularly check in on your sexual health through testing 

Red/dark

Dark red, or even brown, discharge is pretty common to see during menstruation. It’s also normal to notice it during puberty, early pregnancy, or in the lead-up to menopause. If you notice it throughout various stages of the month, it might be a sign of an underlying infection such as BV, chlamydia, gonorrhea, or trich. Other conditions that can cause irregular bleeding that can be mistaken for dark red discharge include

• Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
• Endometriosis 

If you suspect that your discharge is a sign of any of the mentioned infections or conditions, it’s important to speak with your doctor. They will be able to help you with diagnosis, treatment, and the best next steps. 

Red/light/pink

Light red or pink discharge is usually expected at the start or the end of your time of the month. One of the most common causes is spotting or having a short period that lasts less than two days. Some of the other most common causes of pink discharge might include 

• Hormonal imbalances such as low estrogen 
• Hormonal contraception
• Ovulation
• Early pregnancy 

If your pink discharge is accompanied by other unexplained symptoms, speak with your doctor to get insight into any potential underlying cause. Remember, while a change in discharge isn’t always cause for concern – finding out more for your peace of mind is always a good idea.