Vaginal discharge is normal and has several important purposes, including cleaning and lubricating the vagina and helping to prevent and fight microbial problems and infections. Checking your vaginal discharge can help you spot problems early and help you maintain good vaginal health.
Normal vaginal discharge is usually clear to cloudy white, smells slightly acidic (like vinegar) and may be thick or thin. Normal vaginal fluids can vary in texture. They can be thin, sticky and elastic, or thick and gooey. You may notice small changes in the texture and quantity of your discharge when you are sexually aroused, before your period, during ovulation, during breastfeeding and menopause.
While it's normal for your vaginal fluids to vary slightly, it is important to understand the differences between normal and abnormal vaginal discharge. This will help you to recognize whether any changes in your discharge indicate a problem or need further investigation.
It is important to understand the differences between normal and abnormal vaginal discharge. This will help you to recognize whether any changes in your discharge indicate a problem or need further investigation.
It's important to check your vaginal discharge and keep an eye on any changes. The following changes may indicate a problem:
Vaginal infections, such as bacterial vaginosis, candida (yeast) are common causes of abnormal vaginal discharge. Some infections that can cause changes in vaginal discharge are sexually transmitted (STDs), such as gonorrhea. Other infections can occur with or without sex, such as bacterial vaginosis or a yeast infection.
The symptoms of these infections can be very similar, but there are some differences to look for: