Why do discharges happen

Sign in or Enroll Enter a search term:. Change Location X. We've expanded your view You are now viewing all services in the Sutter Health network. You can change your location above to narrow your view to a medical group, hospital, city or zip.

Search Close Search. Vaginal Discharge. Keep an eye on vaginal emissions and changes that mean you should see a doctor. Vaginal discharge is normal and varies during your menstrual cycle. Different Types of Discharge White — Thick, white discharge is common at the beginning and end of your cycle. Normal white discharge is not accompanied by itching. If itching is present, thick white discharge may indicate a yeast infection.

Clear and watery — This occurs at different times of your cycle and can be particularly heavy after exercising. Old blood looks brown. Spotting blood — This may occur mid-cycle or when ovulating. The following may increase your likelihood of yeast infections:. Gonorrhea and chlamydia are sexually transmitted infections STIs that can produce an abnormal discharge. It occurs when bacteria spread up the vagina and into other reproductive organs.

It may produce a heavy, foul-smelling discharge. The human papillomavirus HPV infection is spread by sexual contact. It can lead to cervical cancer. While there may be no symptoms, this type of cancer can produce a bloody, brown, or watery discharge with an unpleasant odor. Cervical cancer can easily be screened for with yearly Pap smears and HPV testing. If you have unusual discharge alongside certain other symptoms, see your doctor as soon as possible.

The symptoms to watch out for include:. If you have any concerns regarding whether a discharge is normal, make an appointment to see your doctor. Your doctor will also ask you several questions about your symptoms, your menstrual cycle, and your sexual activity.

In many cases, an infection can be detected by the physical or pelvic exam. Your doctor may want to take a scraping from your cervix to check for HPV or cervical cancer. Your discharge may also be examined under a microscope to pinpoint an infectious agent. To prevent infections, practice good hygiene and wear breathable cotton underwear. Also, practice safe sex and use protection to avoid STIs. To decrease the likelihood of yeast infections when taking antibiotics, eat yogurt that contains live and active cultures.

If you know you have a yeast infection, you can also treat it with an over-the-counter yeast infection cream or suppository. Vaginal discharge is a healthy part of vaginal health.

The type of vaginal discharge you may experience changes during your menstrual cycle, but in…. If you experience discomfort in your genital area or when you urinate, you may have an infection. Seminal fluid A man's sperm along with other fluids. It can appear as vaginal discharge if you had intercourse within the last day — seminal fluid can stay in the vagina for hours after intercourse. When abnormal discharge is present, other symptoms may also be depending on what's causing the discharge.

Other symptoms might include: 3. Normal vaginal discharge exists to keep vaginal tissues healthy, provide lubrication, and protect the vagina from infection and irritation. If vaginal discharge increases, it can be from normal menstrual cycle changes. Pregnancy and use of birth control pills can also affect the amount and look of discharge.

Abnormal vaginal discharge that has an unusual odor, looks different from your normal discharge, or is accompanied with itching, irritation, burning, or pain may indicate that you have inflammation, infection, or a sexually transmitted disease STD , such as the following: 1. In elderly women, those who are bedbound or incontinent, urine or stool may irritate the area around the genitals and anus, causing vaginal discharge. Some hygiene practices can cause vaginal discharge to be abnormal, including douching, using soaps or scented sprays, or forgetting to change a tampon.

In rare cases, women may have abnormal openings between the intestine and genital tract, resulting in an abnormal discharge from the vagina. Vaginal discharge, cervical mucus , and arousal fluid are considered normal and not indicative of disease, and therefore are not typically evaluated.

But if you have had a change in discharge or are experiencing symptoms such as burning, irritation, itching or pain, your doctor may look at cervical mucus to check for abnormalities that suggest a symptom from an infection or STD. Your doctor may perform the following tests: 4.

Because vaginal discharge is normal, it will always be present. If the discharge takes on an abnormal character, treatment can help eradicate the underlying cause. BV is the most common vaginal infection in women between 15 and Other symptoms may include burning on urination and vaginal itching. Yellow discharge may or may not indicate an infection.

If the discharge is a pale yellow, odorless, and not accompanied by other symptoms, it may not be a cause for concern. In other instances, yellow discharge can be a sign of a sexually transmitted infection STI or a bacterial infection.

Clear vaginal discharge is typically normal. For instance, clear discharge may be stretchy and have an egg white consistency around the time of ovulation.

Normal vaginal discharge does not need to be prevented. However, taking the following precautions can sometimes prevent abnormal discharge:. Vaginal discharge is often nothing to be concerned about, but there are times when changes in discharge can indicate a problem. Different types of infections can have similar symptoms, but they are treated differently.

It is essential to see a doctor if any of the following develops:. Treatment for the underlying cause of abnormal vaginal discharge will vary and may include antibiotics or antifungal medication. Vaginal discharge is often normal, but there are instances when the color, amount, or consistency of discharge may indicate a problem.

In most cases, causes of abnormal vaginal discharge can be treated successfully.