7 types of vaginal discharge and their meaning

There is an old saying that death and bills are the only certainties in life, but if you are a person with a vagina, you can also add daily vaginal discharge to that list. It’s true: when you have a vagina, you can bet there will be a few things in your underwear at the end of the day. The discharge is usually an indication that your vagina is working to stay healthy.

Released by the glands in the vagina and cervix, vaginal discharge is simply a fluid that carries dead cells and bacteria out of the vagina to help keep it clean and prevent infection.

But the stains on your panties can look different throughout the month. This is because the color, consistency, and amount of discharge can vary based on factors such as sexual arousal, ovulation, hormonal changes, pregnancy, or infections.

Types of vaginal discharge and their meaning

White or cloudy discharge

Although seeing a bit of milky white fluid on your underwear can be a bit gross, it actually means that your vagina is cleaning itself well. White or cloudy discharge is a sign of a normal, healthy vaginal discharge. As long as you’re not itchy or irritated, the white or milky discharge is not a cause for concern.

Yellow or green flow

Conversely, yellow or green discharge may indicate a bacterial infection or a sexually transmitted infection (STI) such as trichomoniasis, gonorrhea, or chlamydia.

With trichomoniasis (a common STI caused by a parasite), the discharge is usually foul-smelling and can be white, gray, yellow, or green in color. Additionally, you may experience vaginal burning, redness, and / or pain when urinating and having sex.

Other symptoms of STIs can include pelvic pain, nausea, vomiting, or fever.

If you are concerned about possible exposure to an STI and have a green or yellow discharge (along with any other symptoms), ask a doctor.

Pink vaginal discharge

Pink vaginal discharge can be caused by spotting, which you may notice before or after your menstrual cycle, during ovulation, or after vigorous intercourse.

However, if you have bleeding after sex, painful sex, long and heavy periods, or postmenopausal bleeding, it could be due to something more serious like cervical or cervical cancer. Cervical infection and cervical polyps (benign, rarely cancerous growths on the cervix) can also cause spotting.

In these cases, you should always follow up with your doctor, who can perform certain diagnostic tests such as a pelvic exam, a Pap test, or a biopsy of the lining of the uterus to help identify the problem.

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Brown flow

A little brown discharge on your crisp white underwear may be an eyesore, but it’s usually nothing to worry about. Brown discharge is usually due to old blood.

During your period, the discharge can range from bright red to dark red or brown. The latter is the result of old blood that has remained in the uterus, which eventually passes through the vagina.

A small amount of bleeding can also result from a Pap test, a pelvic exam, or a cervical polyp. Blood may settle in the vagina, turn dark red or brown, and pass slowly the next day.

Cottage cheese-like flow

If you have a lumpy discharge that resembles a cottage cheese stain, you are likely dealing with a yeast infection .

A yeast infection is caused by an overgrowth of a fungus called Candida in the vagina. In addition to a thick, white, cottage cheese-like discharge, accompanying symptoms include itching, burning, and irritation.

Yeast infections can be treated with an antifungal medication, either placed in the vagina or by taking a pill taken by mouth. But first, make an appointment with your doctor to make sure that is what you are dealing with.

Sticky or jelly-like vaginal discharge

A sticky or jelly-like discharge usually means that the body is preparing to ovulate and produce more cervical mucus. The discharge that has the consistency of egg whites usually occurs during ovulation when there is an increase in estrogen.

In fact, many women will track the clear, stretchy discharge to determine when they are ovulating and when they are most fertile – that is, most receptive for sperm to fertilize an egg.

Clear, watery flow

Similarly, you can also detect a lot of moisture in your underwear during ovulation. Essentially, your body knows that you are most fertile at this point, so it releases this slippery discharge to help sperm travel more easily through your vagina and into your uterus.

Clear, watery discharge also occurs when you are sexually aroused. Blood runs to the vagina, causing an increase in the release of lubricating fluids. Lastly, you may also notice an increase in watery discharge during exercise.