Illustration by Emma Günther
Vaginal discharge color guide: What do the different colors mean?
Your vaginal discharge color changes throughout your cycle and life stage, but some colors might require you to consult a healthcare provider
Top things to know about vaginal discharge color:
It is typical for people with menstrual cycles to experience vaginal discharge
The color of your vaginal discharge will change throughout your menstrual cycle and depending on your reproductive life stage
The color, amount, smell, and symptoms related to your vaginal discharge can indicate infections or conditions
What is vaginal discharge?
Your vagina connects your uterus to your vulva and has the important task of helping prevent dryness and infections. To achieve this task, the vagina has a specific environment, with a unique balance of secretions, microorganisms, and self-defense proteins called immunoglobulins (1,2). 90% of the microorganisms living in the vagina are bacteria called Lactobacillus, and they prevent infections against other microorganisms by maintaining the vagina’s slightly acidic environment at a lower pH (1). Vaginal discharge is the liquid that keeps your vagina healthy, lubricated, and free from infection (3).
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Around half a tablespoon of discharge will come out of the vagina daily (1). The vaginal discharge you may notice is coming not only from the vagina but also from the uterus, cervix, and some glands. Vaginal discharge will change under the influence of your changing hormones. You might notice differences in the color, amount, and thickness throughout your menstrual cycle (3). Your vaginal discharge will also be different depending on your life phase. During pregnancy, people will produce more discharge. After menopause, the hormone levels will drop, causing vaginal dryness (4). Estrogen encourages the vaginal cells to produce glycogen, a specific type of sugar, which is crucial for maintaining Lactobacillus as the primary microorganism in the vagina. This sugar is a source of nutrition for Lactobacillus, but other bacteria cannot get their nutrients from it (2,5).
Vaginal fluid also changes when you’re aroused, as your body prepares for sex (6). However, significant or sudden changes in the smell, color, or consistency of your fluid might indicate that something else is going on, like an infection that needs treatment (6).
Douches can change the vaginal pH, which can unbalance the environment and make it more prone to infections (7). They are not recommended by healthcare providers.
Tracking vaginal discharge with Clue can help you understand your body and monitor symptoms to share with your healthcare provider, including when the changes began, and identifying any other related factors. It can also give you insight into your fertility, as discharge tends to be thinner and comparable to egg white around ovulation (7).
It’s helpful to become familiar with your own, unique “typical” vaginal discharge—in terms of smell, color, and changes throughout your cycle.
What is typical vaginal discharge?
Having discharge is a typical part of having a vagina, but it is important to know what changes to look out for when it comes to vaginal discharge.
Vaginal discharge color and consistency
Your discharge consistency will change along with the phases of your menstrual cycle, which can make it easier or harder for sperm to travel through the cervix. Cervical fluid production is regulated by hormones and linked to ovulation. This means that it can be used to predict when you are more likely to get pregnant during your cycle (8).
How does your discharge change throughout your menstrual cycle?
Right after your period:
Your discharge tends to be more thick and sticky, or no discharge at all
Mid-to-late follicular phase (the first phase of your cycle):
Your discharge becomes creamy and whitish
Just before and around ovulation:
Your discharge is likely to become similar to stretchy, wet, transparent egg white
Shortly after ovulation:
Your discharge changes back to being thick and sticky. It can look white or slightly yellowish and paste-like on your underwear when it dries (7,8,9).
If you use hormonal birth control, you may notice different patterns of discharge.
About 1 in 5 of the times a Clue user tracked discharge, they tracked ‘egg white discharge’
Vaginal discharge volume
The volume of discharge produced daily is expected to be between ¼ to a full tablespoon, or more precisely 1.6 g to 4.8 g (1). Your vaginal discharge volume increases in pregnancy and decreases in menopause (4,10).
Vaginal discharge smell
Typically, vaginal discharge is odorless or has a mild and not unpleasant smell. It might mix with some blood around the time of menstruation, which can influence how it smells on your underwear (11). Unusual changes in the smell of your vaginal discharge can be a sign of health conditions, such as infections (2).
What do the different colors of my discharge mean?
When inspecting your vaginal discharge for changes, it is important to assess all of the symptoms that may change, such as the volume of the discharge, texture of the discharge, and any related symptoms. For a healthcare provider to diagnose the cause of your changing discharge, they might also ask about any cuts, pain, or bleeding (3).
Red or dried brown vaginal discharge
The presence of blood can give your discharge shades of red and brown, which is mostly expected during or around your period. It's also called spotting and can happen during other phases of your cycle, for example, around ovulation. Bleeding can also be related to infections or the result of lesions on the cervix, vagina, or vulva (12,13).
Bleeding unrelated to the period and bleeding after intercourse can have other causes, including hormonal changes, fibroids, polyps, and even cancer (13). Talk to your provider if you’re concerned about atypical bleeding.
Milky white or creamy vaginal discharge
During the follicular phase, it is typical for vaginal discharge to be milky white or creamy. However, if you are experiencing thick, white discharge along with itchiness, irritation, or burning, schedule a visit with a healthcare provider, as you may have a yeast infection (2). Although some remedies, such as yogurt and garlic, have been described to treat yeast infections, more research is needed (9).
Clue’s Tip: If you are experiencing thick, white discharge along with itchiness, irritation, or burning, you could have a yeast infection. Over-the-counter treatment can reduce the symptoms in a few days (2).
Bright green or pale yellow vaginal discharge
Typical discharge can present as green or yellow after being exposed to air (5). While the color might be alarming, what matters most is which other symptoms you are experiencing, such as pain and odor.
Bacterial vaginosis (BV) can cause your vaginal discharge to be clear, green, or yellow, accompanied by a strong smell sometimes referred to as fishy (2). BV is usually treated with antibiotics. If left untreated, it can cause infection inside your abdomen and increase the risk for STIs (2,14). In pregnancy, BV is also linked to preterm labor (2,15).
Clue’s tip: The fishy smell of vaginal discharge can get stronger after intercourse and during the period (2). Treating BV will make the unpleasant smell disappear.
Yellow vaginal discharge
Vaginal discharge can be yellow for many reasons, from typical discharge to infections. Yellow discharge can be typical in pregnancy.
When it is associated with pelvic pain, yellow discharge can indicate an STI such as Trichomoniasis. Trichomoniasis can also cause a change in your regular vaginal smell, irritation in the vagina, and pain during urination (2). Trichomoniasis needs to be treated with antibiotics for you and your sexual partner(s) (2).
Clue’s Tip: More than 50% of people with Trichomoniasis will have minimal to no symptoms (2). Talk to your healthcare provider if you are concerned about yellow discharge and the likelihood of STIs.
Deep pink or rosy pink vaginal discharge
Pink or pinkish discharge can happen due to small amounts of blood or vaginal tissue mixing with your discharge (12,13). Pink discharge can be a variation of spotting, which can appear in the days before or after your period, around ovulation, or can be caused by many things, such as polyps or fibroids (12,13).
Clue’s Tip: Tracking your cycle can help you identify unexpected bleeding, and figure out what is typical for you.
Clear vaginal discharge
Most people with vaginas experience vaginal discharge. Clear, stretchy discharge can mean that you will ovulate soon (8). Some infections can have little to no impact on the smell, volume, or texture of your discharge. Instead, they may present through other symptoms like vaginal irritation, pain during urination, or pelvic pain (14). That is why it is important to pay attention to those symptoms and speak to your healthcare provider if you experience them.
Clue’s Tip: Get regular STI tests and retest after new sexual partners to minimize the risk of infection (16).
The importance of tracking your vaginal discharge
Using Clue to track your vaginal discharge helps you stay connected to your body. It can help you learn more about your fertility and your health, in general.
How to track your vaginal discharge in Clue
You can track vaginal discharge in Clue by navigating to ‘Track’ (“+” button) and then scrolling down to ‘Discharge’, where you will find various options for discharge.
What other underlying conditions could be affecting your discharge?
Hormones, age, and infections can all affect your vaginal discharge. It is important that you pay attention to your own body and understand what is typical for you. Try asking yourself questions like, “Which phase of my cycle am I in?”, “Am I experiencing any pain or irritation?”, “Could I have been exposed to STIs by unprotected intercourse or shared sex toys?”
What other infections could your vaginal discharge indicate?
The information below discusses the most common causes of vaginal discharge changes. You will have to visit a healthcare provider to get a diagnosis.
Vaginitis: Vaginitis can be tricky to diagnose because it often shows up as increased discharge with no change in color. (1).
Chlamydia and Gonorrhea: It's worth noting that both of these STIs can be asymptomatic (without symptoms), or they may have a wide range of symptoms. If you have one of these infections, your discharge may be clear, white, gray, or yellow. It can also show up with a pus-like discharge (14). Gonorrhea can also cause more intense symptoms, such as pain and fever (14).
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID): This condition is often the result of untreated STIs like chlamydia, gonorrhea, or mycoplasma. If you're dealing with PID, you might notice a pus-like discharge. You might also have pain during sex, pelvic pain, or a fever (15).
Cervicitis: This is when there's an inflammation of the cervix, with a vaginal discharge that looks and feels like pus (14). If you go to a healthcare provider with these symptoms, they'll probably do a physical exam and see discharge from the cervix. It can also cause bleeding after intercourse, which may result in red, pink, or brown vaginal discharge (15).
Vulvovaginitis: Vulvovaginitis is the inflammation of the vulva and vagina that can be caused by allergies or infections. As a general rule, the way the discharge looks, smells, and feels, along with the symptoms you're experiencing, will help your healthcare provider tell you what's causing it (17).
How can you prevent atypical discharge caused by an infection?
The vagina is a naturally self-cleaning environment. The fine balance of lactobacillus, secretions, and immunoglobulins keeps the environment slightly acidic to prevent infections (1,2).
To keep the vagina and vulva healthy, refrain from using douches, soaps, and perfumes around the vulva and vagina. These products can upset your vaginal microbiome and make you prone to infections (2,3).
To avoid STIs, use a barrier method (like a condom) when having sexual intercourse. You should also ensure you are properly cleaning your sex toys, even if you’re not sharing them with someone else (18).
When should you consult a healthcare professional?
Talk to your healthcare provider if you are experiencing pain, fever or are concerned that your vaginal discharge is changing.
Vaginal discharge is totally normal, and it can come in different colors and smells. Your discharge can be a useful indicator of your overall health, and it can sometimes be a sign of an underlying health condition. Keeping track of your discharge with Clue can help you understand your overall health better and identify any unusual symptoms.
