When vaginal discharge has a color, smell, thicker or different consistency than usual, it may indicate the presence of a vaginal infection such as candidiasis, trichomoniasis, gonorrhea, bacterial vaginosis, vaginitis or chlamydia, for example.
Normal discharge is usually noticed a few days before menstruation and is clear, similar to egg white and has no smell.
Therefore, if you notice the presence of a bad smell and white, yellow, green, pink, gray or brown discharge, it is important that you consult a gynecologist, especially if the discharge is accompanied by other symptoms.
Read too: Gynecologist: what he is, what he does and when to consult
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What does each color of vaginal discharge mean?
The following table provides a brief summary of the main causes of each type of vaginal discharge:
1. White discharge
Thick, white discharge, like curdled milk, may be accompanied by other symptoms such as itching, redness and a burning sensation in the vulva and vagina area, and may also have a bad smell, depending on the cause of the discharge.
Main causes: The main cause of white discharge is fungal infection Candida albicans, characterizing vaginal candidiasis. However, it is possible that this type of discharge is also present in bacterial vaginosis, which is a situation in which changes in the vaginal microbiota, with greater proliferation of bacteria of the genus Gardnerella sp., and the discharge may be accompanied by a strong smell, similar to the smell of rotten fish.
Another situation in which there may be white discharge is colpitis, which is an inflammation of the cervix and vagina caused by protozoa, fungi or bacteria and which leads to whitish discharge that can have a strong and unpleasant smell.
In addition to being present in vaginal infections, white discharge can also be part of a woman’s normal menstrual cycle due to the hormonal changes characteristic of this period.
Read too: White discharge: 6 common causes (and what to do)
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How to deal with: It is important that the cause of the white discharge is identified, as if it is related to the menstrual cycle, treatment is not necessary. If it is associated with infections, it is important that the infectious agent is identified so that the doctor can recommend the best medication, and the use of antibiotics or antifungals in the form of an ointment or tablet may be recommended.
Don’t ignore the signs your body is giving you!
2. Gray discharge
Gray discharge is normally indicative of bacterial vaginosis, which occurs due to an imbalance in the vaginal microbiota, resulting in a decrease in the amount of lactobacilli, which are the good bacteria, and an increase in the concentration of other bacteria that are also part of the microbiota, mainly Gardnerella sp., resulting in foul-smelling discharge and the appearance of other symptoms such as a burning sensation when urinating and itching in the vulva and vagina.
Read too: Bacterial vaginosis: what it is, symptoms, causes and treatment
How to deal with: The treatment for vaginosis is carried out according to the guidance of the gynecologist, who normally recommends the use of Metronidazole in the form of an ointment and intravaginal application, and should be applied for around 7 days.
3. Yellow discharge
Yellow discharge with a strong fishy smell, in some cases, may be associated with other symptoms such as pain and a burning sensation during intimate intercourse or when urinating.
Main causes: the main cause of yellow-green discharge is protozoan infection Trichomonas vaginalis, responsible for trichomoniasis, which is a sexually transmitted infection. In this case, the discharge has a bad smell and is usually accompanied by pain and discomfort when urinating and redness in the genital region, for example.
Another cause of yellow discharge is bacterial infection. Chlamydia trachomatis, responsible for chlamydia, which is also a sexually transmitted infection, and which can cause, in addition to discharge, pain and bleeding during sexual intercourse, pelvic pain and bleeding outside the menstrual period. Gonorrhea, caused by the bacteria Neisseria gonorrhoeaeis also another sexually transmitted infection that can lead to the presence of yellowish discharge due to inflammation of the genital region.
Read too: Yellow discharge: what it can be (and how to treat it)
How to deal with: treatment for yellow discharge is carried out according to the infectious agent responsible for the symptoms, and the doctor normally recommends the use of antibiotics such as Metronidazole, Tioconazole or Secnidazole, in the form of tablets in a single dose or for 5 to 7 days of treatment. Furthermore, as they are sexually transmitted infections, it is important that the partner also undergoes treatment, even if there are no apparent symptoms.
4. Greenish discharge
Greenish discharge is normally associated with bad smell, itching and burning in the intimate area.
Main causes: The most common cause of greenish discharge is trichomoniasis, which is a sexually transmitted infection. However, it may also be present in the case of vulvovaginitis, which is an inflammation of the vulva and vagina caused by microorganisms, or bacterial vaginosis, however this type of discharge is rarer to occur in this situation.
Read too: Greenish discharge: what it can be (and how to treat it)
How to deal with: In this case, the doctor may recommend the use of antibiotics to combat the infectious agent and, consequently, the symptoms.
5. Brown discharge
Brown discharge or the presence of blood in the discharge is usually associated with other symptoms, depending on the cause. This type of discharge is normally a sign of uterine changes, such as cervical cancer, and the discharge may be accompanied by rapid weight loss, pelvic pain and discomfort, weight loss without an apparent cause and a feeling of pressure in the bottom of the belly.
How to deal with: Treatment must be guided by the gynecologist according to the cause and symptoms presented, and surgery and/or radiotherapy may be indicated in some cases.
Read too: Cervical cancer: what it is, symptoms, causes and treatment
6. Pink discharge
Pinkish discharge may indicate the beginning of pregnancy, as it can be caused by the fertilization of the egg and often occurs up to 3 days after intimate contact. Along with this type of discharge, it is common to experience mild abdominal cramps, which are normal and end up passing without treatment.
What to do: In this case, it is important that a test is carried out to confirm the pregnancy, which can initially be carried out at a pharmacy and, if positive, confirmed with a blood test. It is also important that the gynecologist is consulted so that initial guidance on pregnancy can be given and prenatal care can be started.
7. Clear discharge
Liquid and transparent discharge, similar to egg white, may indicate that you are in the fertile period of the menstrual cycle, which is why this is the ideal time for a woman to get pregnant if she is not taking contraceptives. This type of discharge lasts approximately 6 days and ends up disappearing naturally after that time.
Furthermore, transparent discharge may also be present during sexual intercourse, indicating increased vaginal lubrication.
What to do: As this is normal discharge and is part of the menstrual cycle, it is not necessary to carry out any type of treatment. However, if the clear discharge is persistent, it is important that you consult a doctor, as it may be indicative of a hormonal imbalance and specific treatment may be necessary.
Is it possible to have discharge during pregnancy?
Yes, it is possible to have discharge during pregnancy, which may be related to changes in the woman’s own genital microbiota, as is the case with bacterial vaginosis and candidiasis, for example, or be a consequence of a sexually transmitted infection, such as trichomoniasis and gonorrhea.
It is important that as soon as the discharge is identified, and especially if it is accompanied by other symptoms, the doctor is consulted, as this means that treatment can be established immediately, avoiding complications for the woman and the baby.
What to do to avoid discharge
Some precautions that must be followed to avoid vaginal discharge associated with infections are:
- Maintain good intimate hygiene, performing it 1 to 2 times a day. To do this, you should always wash your intimate area with plenty of water and a drop of soap without ever rubbing too much. After washing, you must carefully dry the area;
- Change underwear daily;
- Give preference to cotton underwear, to allow the region to sweat adequately;
- Avoid wearing very tight clothing;
- Avoid using daily sunscreens;
- Avoid using wet wipes or toilet paper with perfume;
- Avoid rubbing the intimate area too much, even with intimate soap;
- Use a condom in all sexual relations.
These precautions help to prevent the emergence of vaginal infections and protect the vaginal mucosa, thus preventing the development of fungi or bacteria that can cause some type of discharge. Understand better in the following video how to correctly identify the discharge of each color, and what it could be:
