Different types of Discharge
Vaginal discharge is the medical term for fluid that comes from the vagina, and it’s an amazing thing.
It’s how your body gets rid of dead vaginal skin cells, bacteria, and secretions from your cervix and vagina to help protect your vaginal and urinary tracts from infection. It also keeps your vaginal tissues lubricated and clean.
Your hormones impact the amount and consistency of vaginal discharge, which is why you may have different amounts at certain times, like before menstruation, during pregnancy, or while using hormonal birth control.
Let’s be real: Many of us have experienced that moment when you pulled down your pants in the bathroom, saw a different color than usual, and asked, “Is that normal?”
This is often followed by questions like, “Is it the time of the month?”, “What did I eat this week?”, and even “How was the sex last night?”
Many of these colors are common and not a reflection of illness. But even if you know you’re in the clear, what do these colours actually mean?
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 stretchy — This is “fertile” mucous and means you’re ovulating.
Clear and watery — This occurs at different times of your cycle and can be particularly heavy after exercising.
Yellow or green — May indicate an infection, especially if it’s thick or clumpy like cottage cheese or has a foul odor.
Brown — May happen right after periods as your body is “cleaning out” your vagina. Old blood looks brown.
Spotting blood — This may occur mid-cycle or when ovulating. Sometimes early in pregnancy you may have spotting or a brownish discharge at the time your period would normally come.
You might not always think of it this way, but vaginal discharge is pretty amazing. Healthy discharge helps keep the vagina clean, ward off infections, and provide lubrication. It changes with your body’s needs.
It’s also important to keep in mind that a range of shades and amounts of vaginal discharge is considered typical and varies from person to person.