Vaginal discharge is absolutely normal as it plays a big role in your vaginal health. Your discharge provides lubrication and keeps your vagina clean. Noticing changes in the color of vaginal discharge might be a reason for concern. So, let’s look at seven colors your vaginal discharge can be and what it might mean.
Gray discharge
Gray discharge is usually caused by a condition called Trichomoniasis. It might also lead to either the white, a yellow-gray color, or greenish vaginal discharge. Gray discharge that has a thin consistency might also indicate bacterial vaginosis. If you notice your discharge suddenly changes to gray, visit your gynecologist to find out the reason for it.
Yellow or green discharge
Having yellow or green discharge doesn’t mean you have any condition. Mucus from the vagina and cervix can turn yellow when it comes into contact with the air. If you’ve always had yellow or gray discharge, then it’s okay.
However, if your discharge suddenly turned yellow it might indicate chlamydia, gonorrhea, or trichomoniasis, especially when it’s accompanied by symptoms like itching and burning. These issues can also provoke green discharge.
According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), bacterial vaginosis along with fishy odor and vaginal discomfort (itching, burning, and redness) can lead to green discharge as well.
Brown, pink, or red discharge
Brown, pink, or red discharge can be a sign of internal bleeding, which isn’t immediately an emergency. It might occur before or after your period meaning it might be due to early bleeding or old blood that’s dribbling out. You shouldn’t worry about it unless it’s new for you.
Another possible reason for brown, pink, and red colors of discharge can be a breakthrough bleeding (bleeding that happens between periods). It can be caused by various things, for instance, recently starting new birth control or messing up the way you take your usual birth control.
This can also occur due to health problems like cervical polyps (non-cancerous growths located on the cervix), irritation from yeast or bacterial infection, as well as trichomoniasis.
In rare cases, bloody discharge might indicate cervical cancer. Unusual bleeding is a common symptom of cervical cancer, therefore it’s important to find out the root cause of changes in the color of the discharge as soon as possible. Other potential signs of cervical cancer include pain during sex.
White discharge
White discharge is normal, but sometimes it might indicate a yeast infection. Yeast infection occurs when Candida Albicans which normally lives in your vagina, starts to overgrow and multiply leading to the imbalance of microorganisms in there.
All your microorganisms and yeasts need to live in harmony to maintain optimal vaginal health. With Candida overgrowth, you have a thick, white, odorless discharge with the consistency of cottage cheese. You can experience other symptoms such as itching, burning feeling during sex, redness, and swelling.
Also, a thin white discharge along with a strong fishy odor, itching, and burning while urinating can indicate bacterial vaginosis or even bacterial infection like chlamydia or gonorrhea.
If you notice a white discharge that is not accompanied by any worrying symptoms, you’re probably healthy. If your white discharge has an unusual-for-you consistency and is accompanied by other unusual symptoms, visit your doctor and avoid self-treatment as it can lead to bad consequences and health complications.
