Vaginal discharge that is chunky, foamy or accompanied by itching and changes in color may mean you have an infection. Color: Vaginal discharge is healthy if it's clear, milky white or off-white. Dark yellow, brown, green or grey discharge may indicate an infection or other issue.
Discharge that is a darker shade of yellow, yellowish-green, or green usually signals a bacterial or sexually transmitted infection. See a doctor promptly if vaginal discharge is thick or clumpy, or it has a foul odor.
Normal vaginal discharge is usually clear or milky and may have a subtle scent that is not unpleasant or foul smelling. It's also important to know that vaginal discharge changes over the course of a woman's menstrual cycle. These changes in color and thickness are associated with ovulation and are natural.
In general, there are five different types of discharges from the Army: Honorable; General, Under Honorable Conditions; Under Other than Honorable Conditions; Bad Conduct; and Dishonorable.
Bright yellow or 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: Itching, discomfort, or rash.
Normal vaginal discharge is milky or white and is odorless. But sometimes, an imbalance of bacteria in your vagina can cause your discharge to change color.
Clear and stretchy — This is “fertile” mucous and means you're ovulating. Clear and watery — This occurs at different times of your cycle and can be particularly heavy after exercising. Yellow or green — May indicate an infection, especially if it's thick or clumpy like cottage cheese or has a foul odor.
Yeast infections produce a thick, white discharge from the vagina that can look like cottage cheese. The discharge can be watery and often has no smell. Yeast infections usually cause the vagina and vulva to become itchy and red.
Schedule a doctor's visit if you have: Greenish, yellowish, thick or cheesy vaginal discharge. Strong vaginal odor. Redness, itching, burning or irritation of your vagina or the area of skin that surrounds the vagina and urethra (vulva)
Chlamydia bacteria often cause symptoms that are similar to cervicitis or a urinary tract infection (UTI). You may notice: White, yellow or gray discharge from your vagina that may be smelly.
Excess vaginal discharge can occur as a result of arousal, ovulation, or infections. Normal vaginal discharge ranges in color from clear or milky to white. The consistency of vaginal discharge also varies from thin and watery to thick and sticky. Generally, healthy vaginal discharge should be relatively odorless.
As long as the milky white discharge does not have an odor and there are no other symptoms, it's most likely a sign of typical vaginal health. However, if the color of the discharge develops a white-gray shade and a strong fishy odor, the discharge may be a sign of an infection.
What does it mean when you have a yellowish discharge? Yellow discharge is commonly associated with a vaginal infection called bacterial vaginosis. Sexually transmitted infections, or STIs, can also cause yellow or green discharge. If you're concerned about a change in your vaginal discharge, see a medical provider.
Light-yellow or pale-yellow discharge without odor and other accompanying symptoms, such as vaginal burning or itching, may be considered normal. Bright yellow discharge or thick yellow discharge — especially with an accompanying odor — is not considered normal. This usually indicates an infection.
With yeast infections, discharge is usually thick, white, and odorless. You may also have a white coating in and around your vagina. With bacterial vaginosis, you may have vaginal discharge that's grayish, foamy, and smells fishy. (But it's also common for BV to have no symptoms.)
Diagnosing a Yeast Infection: Signs to Look for
Thick, white discharge (the texture of cottage cheese) Burning feeling especially when peeing or having sex. Vaginal pain, redness and swelling.
Cervical mucus can look sticky, creamy, pasty, watery, stretchy or slippery. At your most fertile time, your mucus is slippery and watery. When you're not fertile, the mucus will be thick or pasty. Your cervical mucus is generally odorless.
In women who are premenopausal, it is normal to have approximately one-half to one teaspoon (2 to 5 mL) of white or clear, thick, mucus-like, and mostly odorless vaginal discharge every day. However, the amount and consistency of the discharge varies from one woman to another.
It may increase your vaginal discharge.
There are a lot of different factors that can influence the color, smell or amount. Everything from ovulation and pregnancy to infection and stress can all make an impact. So if you notice heavier-than-normal discharge, it may be due to stress.
It's a natural part of your physiological functioning. The glands in your cervix and vaginal wall create essential lubrication to protect your genital area from injury or tearing, and keep your vagina clean and moist. Depending on where you are in your cycle and hormone levels, the amount of cervical fluid could vary.
Any change in the vagina's balance of normal bacteria can affect the smell, color, or discharge texture. These are a few of the things that can upset that balance: Antibiotic or steroid use. Bacterial vaginosis, a bacterial infection more common in pregnant women or women who have multiple sexual partners.
Most causes of abnormal vaginal discharge — such as yeast infection, bacterial vaginosis or menopause symptoms — are relatively harmless, but they can be uncomfortable. Abnormal vaginal discharge can also be a symptom of certain sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
If thick, white discharge goes along with other symptoms, such as itching, burning and irritation, it is probably due to a yeast infection. If not, it is normal discharge. You may also notice an increase in thick, white discharge before and after your period.