A Color Guide to Vaginal Discharge : What Women Need to Know

Genital by Fadhila Septiani

Author: dr. Fadhila Septiani

Supervisor: dr. Indah Purnamasari Sp. D.V.E, M.Ked.Klin (Dermsupervisor Vol. Unair)

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Vaginal discharge is a fluid that’s usually clear or whitish and comes from your vagina. Most of the time Vaginal discharge may be a normal physiologic occurrence. However, for most women, this condition is quite disturbing. Not only it happens to adult women, but also teenage girls experience it. But it’s important to know what type may be a sign of infection or abnormal discharge.


Is it Normal?
Vaginal discharge is a normal condition that occurs every month. It usually appears before menstruation or after menstruation and during the fertile period.
The character of the normal vaginal discharge should be clear or white. It tends to be more stretchable consistency around ovulation. Normal healthy discharge shouldn’t be associated with symptoms such as itching, redness and swelling, and doesn’t have a strong or unpleasant odour.


Vaginal Discharge Colors
Abnormal vaginal discharge is characterised by a change in colour, texture, volume, odour, and may be associated with symptoms such as itch, dysuria, soreness, pelvic pain.

  1. Yellow-Green : This color is usually a sign of an infection It can indicate sexually transmitted infection (STI).
  2. White and cheesy : It can indicate a yeast infection
  3. White or gray with fishy odor : It could be a sign of bacterial vaginosis (BV), caused by overgrowth of facultative and anaerobic bacterial species
  4. Bloody or brown : It is usually related to irregular menstrual cycles and it can occur during or right after your menstrual cycle.

What’s Possible Cause of Vaginal Discharge?
Abnormal vaginal discharge is most commonly caused by infection. Clinical features of the three most common causes vaginal discharge :

1. Bacterial Vaginosis

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is the most common vaginal infection in women ages 15 to 44 years. About 90% of symptomatic women have a milky, white homogenous vaginal discharge which can be seen on the vulva, and an abnormal vaginal odour (fishy odour). Bacterial vaginosis is associated with a decline in the overall number of lactobacilli and overgrowth of anaerobic bacteria such as Gardnerella

2. Trichomoniasis

Trichomoniasis is an infection that is sexually transmitted, presents with yellow-green and may appear purulent vaginal discharge. About 50% of symptomatic women report vulval itching. Other complaints are painful intercourse, urinary tract infection symptoms, or pelvic pain.

3. Candidiasis Vulvovaginal

Vulvovaginal candidiasis is caused by C. albicans. Candidiasis presents with itching or a burning sensation of the vulva and vaginal irritation.  Signs include vulvar edema, fissures, excoriations, dysuria, dyspareunia. Women often have a thick, white, curd-like discharge (sometimes described as cottage-cheese-like in character).

Fig 1. Most common causes vaginal discharge

Tips to Prevent Vaginal Infections :  DO and DON’T

DO

  • Wear cotton underwear and avoid tight clothing
  • Wash your feminine area from front to back to avoid transferring bacteria from the anus to the vagina
  • Be faithful to one sexual partner
  • After bathing or washing, make sure to dry the vaginal area properly
  • Abstaining from vaginal, anal, or oral sex.

DON’T

  • Do not douche
  • Do not use scented soaps or gels
  • Do not use deodorants or scented hygiene wipes for your feminine area

When to See a Doctor?

Consult to healthcare professional if your discharge is accompanied by these symptoms or signs:

  • you feel itchy or sore in your vagina
  • your vaginal discharge changes colour, smell or texture
  • you bleed between periods or after sex
  • you get pain when peeing
  • You develop pelvic pain
  • You get pain during intercourse

References :

  1. Sim M, Logan S, Goh LH. Vaginal discharge: evaluation and management in primary care. Singapore Med J. 2020;61(6):297-301. doi:10.11622/smedj.2020088
  2. Singh K, editor. Integrated Approach to Obstetrics and Gynaecology. New Jersey: World Scientific 2016
  3. Guidelines for the management of symptomatic sexually transmitted infections [Internet]. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2021 Jun. 8, VAGINAL DISCHARGE SYNDROME. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK572663/
  4. Kairys N, Carlson K, Garg M. Bacterial Vaginosis. [Updated 2024 May 6]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459216/
  5.  Fitzpatrick Dermatology. (2019). United States: McGraw-Hill Education. Chicago Style. Fitzpatrick Dermatology. 9th Ed. Vol. 1.
  6. Schumann JA, Plasner S. Trichomoniasis. [Updated 2023 Jun 12]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK534826/
  7. Jeanmonod R, Chippa V, Jeanmonod D. Vaginal Candidiasis. [Updated 2024 Feb 3]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459317/

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