Vaginal Discharge

Vaginal Discharge

“In general, the golden rule is: vaginal discharge is normal
if the colour is clear, white or yellow, it is not smelly, and
is not associated with vulval discomfort or tummy pain”.1

Umbrella

What may the Vaginal Discharge Umbrella include?

Depending on the Source (DotS) this Umbrella may include:

  • Leukorrhea
  • Vaginal Discharge
  • Vaginal Infection
  • Vaginal Inflammation

Definition

What is vaginal discharge?

DotS the definition of vaginal discharge may vary. In Vaginal Discharge: Overview – What Is Vaginal Discharge? the (United States) Cleveland Clinic’s definition is:

“Vaginal discharge is a clear, white or off-white fluid that comes from your vagina. It’s made of cells and bacteria. Discharge helps keep your vagina clean and healthy. It also helps protect against infection. Vaginal discharge is natural and normal. Changes in its color, texture, smell or amount could mean something is wrong. If you’re unsure, it’s best to contact your healthcare provider”.2

Normal

What is normal vaginal discharge?

In Vulva and Vagina: Are All Vulvas and Vaginas the Same? How Your Vulva Smells the (Australian) Jean Hailes for Women’s Health (JH) explain:

“It’s normal for your vulva and vagina to have a different smell at certain times during your menstrual cycle, and after menopause.

There are many fluids associated with the vulva that can affect how it smells. For example:

  • Urine (wee)
  • Sweat
  • Menstrual blood
  • Skin oils
  • Vaginal and gland secretions”.3

In What’s Normal: Discharge – Normal Discharge the (Australian) Caredownthere elaborate on:

“In general, the golden rule is: vaginal discharge is normal if the colour is clear, white or yellow, it is not smelly, and is not associated with vulval discomfort or tummy pain”.4

In Vaginal Discharge: Check If Your Vaginal Discharge Is Normal the (United Kingdom) NHS note:

“Vaginal discharge is not usually anything to worry about if it:

  • Does not have a strong or unpleasant smell
  • Is clear or white
  • Is thick and sticky
  • Is slippery and wet”.5

Normal Different Differences

Is everyone’s “normal” a little different?

In In Vaginal Discharge: Overview – What Is Vaginal Discharge? the Cleveland Clinic explain:

“Everyone with a vagina produces discharge. The amount you produce, how it smells and how it looks are unique to you. Everyone’s “normal” is a little different. When you know what’s normal for you, it’s easier to notice when something’s off”.6

Abnormal

What is abnormal vaginal discharge?

In Vulva and Vagina: Are All Vaginas and Vulvas the Same? Smell the JH explain:

“If the smell is unpleasant, yeasty or fishy smelling, this may be a sign of an infection. An unpleasant smell may also be due to a sexually transmitted infection (STI), a tampon that needs to be changed, or not wiping thoroughly after going to the toilet”.7

Causes

What causes abnormal vaginal discharge?

In Vaginal Discharge: Basics – Causes the Mayo Clinic note:

“Causes Related To Infection or Inflammation

Possible causes of unusual vaginal discharge linked to infections or inflammation include:

  • Bacterial vaginosis
  • Cervicitis
  • Chlamydia trachomatis
  • Gonorrhea
  • Forgotten, also called retained, tampon
  • Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
  • Trichomoniasis
  • Vaginitis
  • Yeast infection (vaginal)

Other causes

Other causes of unusual vaginal discharge include:

  • Certain hygiene practices, such as douching or using scented sprays or soap
  • Cervical cancer
  • Pregnancy
  • Vaginal atrophy, also called genitourinary syndrome of menopause
  • Vaginal cancer
  • Vaginal fistula

It’s rare for changes to vaginal discharge to be a sign of cancer”.8

Menopause

After menopause, how may vaginal discharge change?

Caredownthere note:


Vaginal Discharge“After the menopause the vaginal discharge gradually stops, but will return if the woman starts hormone replacement therapy”.9

The JH explain:

“After menopause, the smell may be different to when you were having periods because the bacteria in your vagina changes”.10

Douching or Not

Should women douche?

No. In Douching: What Is Douching? the Office on Women’s Health, United States Department of Health and Human Services, Womenshealth.gov explain:

“The word “douche” means to wash or soak. Douching is washing or cleaning out the inside of the vagina with water or other mixtures of fluids. Most douches are sold in stores as prepackaged mixes of water and vinegar, baking soda, or iodine. The mixtures usually come in a bottle or bag. You squirt the douche upward through a tube or nozzle into your vagina. The water mixture then comes back out through your vagina.

Douching is different from washing the outside of your vagina during a bath or shower. Rinsing the outside of your vagina with warm water will not harm your vagina. But, douching can lead to many different health problems.

Most doctors recommend that women do not douche”.11

Health Care Provider

What if I think I have abnormal vaginal discharge?

In What Do the Different Colors of Vaginal Discharge Mean for Health? What Is Vaginal Discharge? the authors note:

“Vaginal discharge may occur independently or with other symptoms. It is important to know what the different colors of discharge mean and when it is necessary to seek medical help”.12

The Cleveland Clinic note:

“You should see your healthcare provider if:

  • Your vaginal discharge changes color, gets thick and chunky, or smells bad
  • You notice itching, burning, swelling or soreness around your vagina
  • You have pelvic pain and cramping”.13

Health Topics A-Z

Where may I find Health Topics A-Z related to Vaginal Discharge?

In Health Topics A-Z you may find:

Health Topics A-Z

Links

Where may I find Links related to Vaginal Discharge?

Your Country may have Links similar to:

Links

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Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at:

Sources

  1. What’s Normal: Discharge – Normal Discharge. Caredownthere https://www.caredownthere.com.au/_pages/normal_discharge.html Accessed: 11 May 2026
  2. Vaginal Discharge: Overview – What Is Vaginal Discharge? Last Updated: 29 January 2026.Cleveland Clinic https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/4719-vaginal-discharge Accessed: 11 May 2026
  3. Vulva and Vagina: Are All Vulvas and Vaginas the Same? How Your Vulva Smells. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-topics/vulva-and-vagina/#section-are-all-vulvas-and-vaginas-the-same Accessed: 11 May 2026
  4. What’s Normal: Discharge – Normal Discharge. Caredownthere https://www.caredownthere.com.au/_pages/normal_discharge.html Accessed: 11 May 2026
  5. Vaginal Discharge: Check If Your Discharge Is Normal. Page Last Reviewed: 15 February 2024. NHS https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaginal-discharge/#normal-vaginal-discharge Accessed: 11 May 2026
  6. Vaginal Discharge: Overview – What Is Vaginal Discharge? Last Updated: 29 January 2026.Cleveland Clinic https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/4719-vaginal-discharge Accessed: 11 May 2026
  7. Vulva and Vagina: Are All Vulvas and Vaginas the Same? How Your Vulva Smells. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-topics/vulva-and-vagina/#section-are-all-vulvas-and-vaginas-the-same Accessed: 11 May 2026
  8. Vaginal Discharge: Basics – Causes. 25 April 2023. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/vaginal-discharge/basics/causes/sym-20050825 Accessed: 11 May 2026
  9. What’s Normal: Discharge – Normal Discharge. Caredownthere https://www.caredownthere.com.au/_pages/normal_discharge.html Accessed: 11 May 2026
  10. Vulva and Vagina: Are All Vulvas and Vaginas the Same? How Your Vulva Smells. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-topics/vulva-and-vagina/#section-are-all-vulvas-and-vaginas-the-same Accessed: 11 May 2026
  11. Douching: What Is Douching? Page Last Updated: 27 February 2025. Office on Women’s Health, United States Department of Health and Human Services, Womenshealth.gov https://womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/douching Accessed:
  12. Galan, N. and Riggins Nwadike, V. What Do the Different Colors of Vaginal Discharge Mean for Health? What Is Vaginal Discharge? 15 April 2025 https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322232 Accessed:
  13. Vaginal Discharge: When To Call the Doctor – When Should I See My Healthcare Provider About Issues? Last Reviewed: 29 January 2026. Cleveland Clinic https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/4719-vaginal-discharge Accessed: 11 May 2026
Topic Last Updated: 11 May 2026 – Topic Last Reviewed: 11 May 2026

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