Discharge in women can vary depending on the phase of the menstrual cycle, hormonal changes, or health condition. Here are some types of discharge and their possible meanings:
🥛 White, milky discharge:
• Normal discharge: A light, milky discharge can be normal and caused by hormonal changes in the menstrual cycle. It serves to keep the vagina clean and moist and to maintain a healthy vaginal microflora.
⚪️ Lumpy or thick discharge:
• Yeast infection: A thick, lumpy discharge accompanied by itching, burning or redness in the genital area may indicate a yeast infection, also known as vaginal candidiasis.
💧 Watery or clear discharge:
• Ovulation: Clear, watery discharge can be a sign of ovulation when the body is fertile. This discharge often resembles raw egg whites and serves to support sperm and pave the way for possible fertilization.
🔰 Yellowish or greenish discharge:
• Infection: A yellowish or greenish discharge accompanied by an unpleasant odor, itching or burning may indicate a bacterial infection such as bacterial vaginosis or a sexually transmitted infection (STI) such as trichomoniasis.
🩸 Bloody or brownish discharge:
• Menstruation: A bloody or brownish discharge may occur at the beginning or end of menstruation and is normal as this is old menstrual blood leaving the body.
• Intermenstrual bleeding: Unexpected bloody discharge between periods can indicate various causes such as hormonal disorders, inflammation or polyps in the cervix.
When should you seek medical help?
• If you have persistent, unusual discharge accompanied by other symptoms such as itching, burning, pain or an unpleasant odor.
• If there are changes in your discharge that last longer than two weeks or get worse.
• For discharge that occurs after sexual intercourse and does not disappear within a few days.
• If you suspect a sexually transmitted infection or other serious illness.
🥛 White, milky discharge:
• Normal discharge: A light, milky discharge can be normal and caused by hormonal changes in the menstrual cycle. It serves to keep the vagina clean and moist and to maintain a healthy vaginal microflora.
⚪️ Lumpy or thick discharge:
• Yeast infection: A thick, lumpy discharge accompanied by itching, burning or redness in the genital area may indicate a yeast infection, also known as vaginal candidiasis.
💧 Watery or clear discharge:
• Ovulation: Clear, watery discharge can be a sign of ovulation when the body is fertile. This discharge often resembles raw egg whites and serves to support sperm and pave the way for possible fertilization.
🔰 Yellowish or greenish discharge:
• Infection: A yellowish or greenish discharge accompanied by an unpleasant odor, itching or burning may indicate a bacterial infection such as bacterial vaginosis or a sexually transmitted infection (STI) such as trichomoniasis.
🩸 Bloody or brownish discharge:
• Menstruation: A bloody or brownish discharge may occur at the beginning or end of menstruation and is normal as this is old menstrual blood leaving the body.
• Intermenstrual bleeding: Unexpected bloody discharge between periods can indicate various causes such as hormonal disorders, inflammation or polyps in the cervix.
When should you seek medical help?
• If you have persistent, unusual discharge accompanied by other symptoms such as itching, burning, pain or an unpleasant odor.
• If there are changes in your discharge that last longer than two weeks or get worse.
• For discharge that occurs after sexual intercourse and does not disappear within a few days.
• If you suspect a sexually transmitted infection or other serious illness.
