Reproductive health
Vaginal discharge
Vaginal discharge is normal fluid from the vagina, but a change in its colour, smell, amount or texture can sometimes signal an infection.
Education and reference only. This explains the common causes of vaginal discharge and the warning signs that need urgent help, in plain language — it is not a diagnosis or a substitute for advice from a clinician. If you feel very unwell or are worried, seek medical help.
Quick answer
What is vaginal discharge?
Some vaginal discharge is normal and healthy, and it helps keep the vagina clean and moist. The amount and appearance naturally change through the menstrual cycle, during pregnancy and at different life stages, and is usually clear or white without a strong smell.
- Get urgent help: Discharge with lower tummy pain and a high temperature, or pain during sex with bleeding between periods — this can be a pelvic infection and needs urgent assessment. Any new discharge or bleeding in pregnancy — get this checked promptly.
- Self-care: Looking after the area gently helps keep discharge healthy.
About vaginal discharge
Some vaginal discharge is normal and healthy, and it helps keep the vagina clean and moist. The amount and appearance naturally change through the menstrual cycle, during pregnancy and at different life stages, and is usually clear or white without a strong smell. Discharge becomes worth checking when it changes in a way that is unusual for you, such as becoming thicker, discoloured, frothy or foul-smelling, or when it comes with itching, soreness, pain or bleeding. Common causes such as thrush and bacterial vaginosis are easily treated, while discharge with tummy pain and fever, or new discharge in pregnancy, needs prompter attention.
When to get help
Call 999 or go to A&E if vaginal discharge comes with any of these warning signs:
- Discharge with lower tummy pain and a high temperature, or pain during sex with bleeding between periods — this can be a pelvic infection and needs urgent assessment.
- Any new discharge or bleeding in pregnancy — get this checked promptly.
- Foul-smelling discharge with feeling very unwell — seek urgent help.
When to see a doctor
See a doctor or sexual health service if discharge is new or unusual for you, smells unpleasant, is discoloured, or comes with itching, soreness, pain when passing urine or during sex, or bleeding between periods. It is also worth being seen if symptoms keep coming back, if home treatment has not worked, or if there is any chance of a sexually transmitted infection. In pregnancy, get any new discharge or bleeding checked promptly. Most causes are straightforward to treat once identified.
Not sure how urgent it is? It is always OK to call NHS 111 for advice, day or night.
What can cause it
Common causes of vaginal discharge
Vaginal discharge has many possible causes. Each links to a full, plain-language guide to that condition — what it is, how it's treated and when to seek help.
What helps
Self-care and what you can do
Looking after the area gently helps keep discharge healthy. Wash the outside of the vulva with water or a mild, unperfumed product, and avoid scented soaps, douches and bubble baths, which can upset the natural balance and trigger irritation. Wear breathable cotton underwear, avoid tight synthetic clothing for long periods, and change out of damp clothing promptly. Do not wash inside the vagina, as it cleans itself. If you have thrush symptoms before, simple measures and over-the-counter treatments often settle them, but get advice if symptoms are new, severe, recurrent or come with other concerns.
Answers
Vaginal discharge: frequently asked questions
What does normal vaginal discharge look like?
Normal discharge is usually clear or white, without a strong smell, and changes in amount and texture through the menstrual cycle. A change that is unusual for you, especially with itching, odour, pain or unusual colour, is worth checking.
How can I tell thrush from bacterial vaginosis?
Thrush typically causes thick, white discharge with itching and soreness, while bacterial vaginosis tends to cause a thin, greyish discharge with a fishy smell and less itching. A simple assessment can confirm which it is, as the treatments differ.
Should I worry about discharge in pregnancy?
Increased discharge is common in pregnancy, but any new, unusual or discoloured discharge, a strong smell, or any bleeding should be checked promptly to keep you and your baby safe.
Can I use scented washes to stop discharge?
It is best to avoid scented soaps, washes and douches, as they upset the natural balance and can make irritation and discharge worse. Wash the outside gently with water or a mild, unperfumed product.
Sources
Where this is drawn from
- NICE CKS: Vaginal discharge.
- Women's Health Concern (charity)
Related symptoms
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