Types of Vaginal Discharge

Vaginal discharge or fluid is crucial for maintaining healthy function in a female reproductive system. The fluid in the woman’s vagina and cervix helps in carrying away dead cells and bacteria, to help keep the vagina clean, and prevent infection. While vagina discharge is completely normal, majority of women have at a point discharge fluids different in color, texture, and odor from the common or normal discharge in women (clear or milky /creamy fluid).

Every woman’s smell is unique to her and the vagina discharge may change in the course of her menstrual cycle, but the normal and healthy vagina does not smell awful or unpleasant. More often than not, women always ask what the color of their vaginal discharge indicates; here is what the color of the vagina discharge indicates.

1. Brown discharge: Brown vagina discharge may indicate irregular menstrual cycles, uterine or cervical cancer. This type of discharge in a woman after menopause could be an early indication of uterine cancer.
2. Yellowish discharge: Yellowish kind of discharge with unpleasant or without smell may indicate bacterial infection, or sexually transmitted infections such as Trichomoniasis.
3. Greenish discharge: A greenish discharge may be an indication of bacterial infection or sexually transmitted infection such as chlamydia.
4. Pinkish discharge: This may occur due to vaginal irritation, bleeding from the cervix or after implantation, and may be due to bleeding after sex.
5. Thin whitish discharge: A thin white discharge may be normal or abnormal. A thin clear and mild discharge is often normal and may be due to pregnancy, ovulation, and when your period is closer. Although some STIs such as gonorrhea can double the level of clear discharge or change to mucopurulent, but it is usually accompanied with abdominal or pelvic pain.
6. Thick white discharge: A thick whitish, cheese-like discharge feeling like a thick yoghourt is usually a sign of a yeast infection.
7. Creamy grey discharge: This type of discharge that usually sticks to wall of the vagina and accompanied with an unpleasant smell may be due to bacterial vaginosis.

If you experience any of the following kindly see a gynecologist for further investigation and treatments.

• Unusual vagina discharge, color, and consistency
•  Itching, burning sensation or redness in the vagina
• Abdominal or pelvic pain
• Spotting in between period or having a bloody discharge not associated with your period
• Discharge increases after some days extending to weeks

While vagina discharge is totally normal and may change at some point due to various reasons, it is crucial that you observe and speak with your doctor about it.