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7 types of vaginal discharge

From menstrual cycles and pregnancy to STIs, learn about typical vaginal discharge and when you should see a healthcare provider.

Updated on July 25, 2023

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Vaginal discharge is typically a natural bodily function, especially during certain life experiences such as pregnancy and menopause.

In fact, many of the fluids in your vagina are there to protect you:  Healthy discharge includes vaginal skin cells, bacteria, mucus and fluid that come from the vagina and the cervix, which is the narrow opening of the uterus. ThisShow More

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Typical Discharge During Your Menstrual Cycle

After menstrual bleeding stops, your vaginal discharge returns to a mucus-like white consistency; it may become heavier after strenuous activities like exercising. Then, around mid-ovulation, the discharge will change to a clearer color and look like egg whites. The consistency of this dischargeShow More

someone who is pregnant
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Changes During Pregnancy

During pregnancy, hormone levels are constantly changing, and that affects vaginal discharge. “You’re going to have thin, white mucousy discharge that smells mild at times,” says Moore. Pregnancy-specific discharge is called leukorrhea, and it isn’t usually a cause for concern. If you’re botheredShow More

someone holding a baby
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Postpartum Changes

After giving birth, it’s typical to have some bleeding for up to six weeks postpartum, depending on whether you had a vaginal birth or c-section delivery. The discharge will probably start off looking red, but will go through a series of color changes—pink, then yellow or white. You may also passShow More

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Changes During Perimenopause or Menopause

For many people, going through the menopause transition will actually decrease the amount of discharge you experience, says Moore, who explains that as estrogen levels drop, the vaginal lining gets thinner and drier, leading to the production of less fluid.

However, up to 40 percent of people whoShow More

two people in bed
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Changes During Sexual Arousal

During sexual arousal, moisture lubricates your vagina, preparing it for intercourse—it’s one of the biological functions that makes sex feel good.

Here's how it works: when you’re stimulated, such as with a partner, during masturbation, or even just watching a sexy movie, your genital tissuesShow More

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Changes Caused By Bacterial Vaginosis

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is an infection that occurs when bacterial growth in the vagina becomes out of balance. Symptoms can include a thin white or gray discharge, vaginal pain, burning and a fish-like odor. The infection mostly affects people who are sexually active, though douching can alsoShow More

young woman looking through yeast infection medication
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Changes Caused By A Yeast Infection

A vaginal yeast infection occurs when there is an overgrowth of yeast called Candida. The classic sign of a yeast infection is a thick, white, cottage cheese-like discharge along with vaginal itching and burning. Antifungal creams or pills prescribed by your HCP can clear up the infection in one toShow More

someone talking with their healthcare provider
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When To See Your HCP

Any time you experience discharge that looks, smells, or feels different than typical vaginal fluids, get it checked out. Sometimes sexually transmitted infections like chlamydia, gonorrhea and trichomoniasis may not cause any symptoms other than discharge.

“If your discharge is green, yellow orShow More

Slideshow sources open slideshow sources

American Pregnancy Association. Cervical Mucus and Early Pregnancy. Accessed December 15, 2022.
American Pregnancy Association. Vaginal Discharge During Pregnancy. Accessed December 15, 2022.
Spence D, Melville C. Vaginal discharge. BMJ. 2007;335(7630):1147-1151. 
Khaskheli M, Baloch S, et al. Vaginal discharge during pregnancy and associated adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes. Pak J Med Sci. 2021;37(5):1302-1308. 
MedlinePlus. Vaginal delivery – discharge. Reviewed October 5, 2020.
North American Menopause Society. Changes in the Vagina and Vulva. Accessed December 15, 2022.
Angelou K, Grigoriadis T, et al. The Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause: An Overview of the Recent Data. Cureus. 2020;12(4):e7586. Published 2020 Apr 8.
Moral E, Delgado JL, Carmona F, et al. Genitourinary syndrome of menopause. Prevalence and quality of life in Spanish postmenopausal women. The GENISSE study. Climacteric. 2018;21:167–173. 
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Treatment of Urogenital Symptoms in Individuals With a History of Estrogen-dependent Breast Cancer. December 2021.
Go Ask Alice. Vaginal discharge vs. lube from being turned on? Last updated March 4, 2014.
Sexwise (UK). Sexual Pleasure. Last updated February 2018.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Bacterial Vaginosis – CDC Basic Fact Sheet. Page last reviewed January 5, 2022.
Joseph RJ, Ser HL, et al. Finding a Balance in the Vaginal Microbiome: How Do We Treat and Prevent the Occurrence of Bacterial Vaginosis? Antibiotics (Basel). 2021;10(6):719. Published 2021 Jun 15.
WomensHealth.gov. Douching. Page last updated February 22, 2021. 
Mayo Clinic. Bacterial vaginosis. July 21, 2021.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Fungal Diseases: Vaginal Candidiasis. Page last reviewed July 13, 2022.
Willems HME, Ahmed SS, et al. Vulvovaginal Candidiasis: A Current Understanding and Burning Questions. J Fungi (Basel). 2020;6(1):27. Published 2020 Feb 25. 
MedlinePlus. Vaginal itching and discharge - adult and adolescent. Reviewed July 13, 2021.

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