Vaginal discharge
8-minute read
Key facts
- Some vaginal discharge is normal and keeps your vagina healthy.
- Normal discharge is usually clear, white or creamy and has no strong smell — normal discharge needs no treatment.
- Discharge is not normal if it is thick and white, yellow or green or if it smells unpleasant.
- Pregnancy, hormonal changes and the menstrual cycle can change the amount and type of discharge.
- There are many possible causes of abnormal vaginal discharge such as thrush, bacterial vaginosis, or sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
What is normal vaginal discharge?
Some vaginal discharge is normal and needed. It keeps your vulva and vagina moist. Normal vaginal discharge for females of childbearing age is slightly acidic (pH 3.8 to 5.0). This helps to stop infections.
Normal vaginal discharge is a mixture of cells, mucus, bacteria and fluid made by the vagina and cervix (lower area of the womb that connects to the vagina). It is usually clear or white in colour.
Normal discharge changes throughout your menstrual cycle. Normal vaginal discharge does not have an offensive (bad) smell.
Everyone has different amounts of discharge. You will have less discharge after menopause because oestrogen levels are lower.
Does vaginal discharge change during my menstrual cycle?
Your vaginal discharge changes as your hormone levels change during your menstrual cycle. Discharge is often a sign of where you are in your cycle.
In the week after your period, you may have little or no discharge, or it may look thicker. As you come closer to ovulation, rising oestrogen causes more discharge. The discharge is usually clear, stretchy and slippery. This helps sperm move more easily and is linked to the most fertile days of your cycle. After ovulation, discharge is thicker again.
The amount of vaginal discharge also goes up when you are sexually aroused.
Vaginal discharge after menopause
Your vagina tends to be more dry after menopause due to lower oestrogen levels. However, you will still make small amounts of discharge after menopause.
Vaginal discharge during pregnancy
It is normal to have more vaginal discharge during pregnancy. This is due to higher oestrogen levels. If you are pregnant and your discharge has a strong or unpleasant smell, includes blood or if you feel any itching or pain, see your doctor.
When should I be concerned about vaginal discharge?
Vaginal discharge is not normal if:
- it is thick and white, like cottage cheese
- it smells fishy or foul (bad)
- it is green, yellow or frothy
- you have lower stomach pain
- you have vaginal bleeding between your menstrual periods (intermenstrual bleeding)
- you have genital sores or blisters
CHECK YOUR SYMPTOMS — Use the Symptom Checker and find out if you need to seek medical help.
What causes abnormal changes to vaginal discharge?
Changes in discharge are often a sign of an infection or irritation. Common causes include:
- candidiasis (vaginal thrush)
- bacterial vaginosis
- a sexually transmitted infection (STI)
Different types of infections can affect the appearance, texture and smell of discharge.
What might the colour of discharge mean?
Colour alone cannot diagnose the cause of your abnormal discharge. Certain colours may provide useful clues:
| Colour | What it might mean |
|---|---|
| Thick white | Vaginal thrush or vaginitis |
| White or grey with a ‘fishy’ smell | Bacterial vaginosis |
| Yellow or green | Trichomoniasis |
| Brown or bloody | Chlamydia, gonorrhoea, menstruation, trauma, cancer |
If your discharge looks or smells different to what is normal for you, see your doctor.
When should I see my doctor?
If your discharge looks or smells different to what you usually have, or if you are concerned about your vaginal discharge, see your doctor.
Also see your doctor if you notice any related symptoms such as:
- bleeding between periods
- vaginal itch
- if sex is painful or you have vaginal bleeding after sex
- pain in your lower abdomen or back
- fever (high temperature)
FIND A HEALTH SERVICE — The Service Finder can help you find doctors, pharmacies, hospitals and other health services.
How is the cause of vaginal discharge diagnosed?
Your doctor will ask you about your symptoms and may do an examination to look for the cause of your vaginal discharge. This may include looking at the outside (vulva) and inside (vagina and cervix) and gently feeling the area. They will also look at the colour, texture, smell and amount of discharge.
Sometimes you will need a swab (sample of discharge) from the vaginal entrance. A self-collection option may be offered. These tests can help identify if there is an infection. Further tests may be needed if your doctor wants to check for a sexually transmitted infection (STI).
You have the right to ask for a support person to be with you during a medical examination. If the cause is not clear, they may refer you to a gynaecologist — a doctor who specialises in female health.
How is vaginal discharge treated?
Treatment for vaginal discharge will depend on its cause.
Antibiotics are usually given for bacterial vaginosis as either tablets, a cream or gel.
Antifungal creams or pessaries (a tablet that you put into your vagina) can treat thrush.
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as chlamydia and gonorrhoea are usually treated with oral antibiotics.
Contact tracing
If you have an STI, you will be asked to contact all recent sexual partners. This is called contact tracing. This lets your partners get tested and treated if they are also infected and helps to stop the spread of the infection.
Some STIs are notifiable diseases. Your doctor must tell the Department of Health if you are diagnosed with one. This is done to stop the spread of infection. Your personal details remain private and protected by law.
Self-care for vaginal discharge
Some lifestyle habits can help maintain vaginal health:
- Avoid scented soaps, harsh products or douching (cleaning your vagina).
- Wear cotton underwear.
- Avoid tight clothing.
- Wipe front to back after going to the toilet.
- Change out of wet swimwear or gym clothes quickly.
- Practice safe sex to reduce STIs.
Can vaginal discharge be prevented?
It is normal for females to have some vaginal discharge. Maintaining your vaginal health is important to help prevent abnormal vaginal discharge.
Resources and support
If you'd like more information or support, the following organisations and services can help:
- Jean Hailes for Women's Health has further information on hormonal health, and resources for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples. They also have easy read fact sheets and videos to help people living with disability.
- You can also call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available to speak with 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Languages other than English
If you speak a language other than English and would like more information or support, the following organisations and services can help:
- Family Planning Australia has information on common vaginal and vulval conditions, and fact sheets in many languages.
- Jean Hailes for Women's Health has fact sheets on vulval and vaginal health in several community languages.