Is green discharge during pregnancy normal or worrisome?

Green discharge during pregnancy can be unsettling, but it isn’t always a sign of a serious problem. Pregnancy hormones cause many changes in your body—including your vaginal discharge—so it’s important to understand what’s normal and when to seek help.

Why vaginal discharge changes in pregnancy

• Hormonal shifts (especially higher estrogen) increase blood flow to the vagina and stimulate more secretions.
• Normal pregnancy discharge (leucorrhea) is often thin, milky or clear, and mild-smelling.
• Its main purpose is to keep the birth canal clean and reduce infection risk.

When green discharge may be “normal”

A faint greenish tint in a normally thin, odorless discharge can occasionally occur, especially:

• Just after intercourse
• During ovulation or mid-pregnancy hormonal surges
• As old cervical mucus clears

If your discharge is:

• Light in volume
• Odorless or very mild
• Not accompanied by itching, burning, pain or fever
  then it may simply reflect mild hormonal variation. Monitor for 24–48 hours, maintain good hygiene, and wear breathable cotton underwear.

When green discharge is worrisome

Bright green, frothy or heavy discharge—often with other symptoms—usually indicates infection. Common causes include:

1. Trichomoniasis

• Protozoan parasite, sexually transmitted
• Discharge: frothy, yellow-green, fishy odor
• Other symptoms: itching, redness, painful urination
• Treatment: metronidazole or tinidazole per CDC STD Treatment Guidelines (Workowski & Bolan, 2015)

2. Gonorrhea

• Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection
• Discharge: purulent, greenish, may be sticky
• Other symptoms: pelvic pain, burning on urination, risk of spread to uterus/fallopian tubes
• Treatment: intramuscular ceftriaxone plus oral azithromycin per guidelines

3. Chlamydia

• Often co-exists with gonorrhea
• Discharge may be greenish or yellow
• Many women are asymptomatic, but can cause pelvic inflammatory disease if untreated
• Treatment: azithromycin or doxycycline

4. Aerobic vaginitis or bacterial overgrowth

• Pathogens like E. coli, Staphylococcus
• Discharge: yellow-green, sometimes with small blood streaks
• Symptoms: burning, irritation, elevated vaginal pH
• Treatment: physician-directed antibiotics

Other red-flag symptoms

Regardless of discharge color, seek medical attention if you experience:

• Strong fishy or foul odor
• Intense itching or burning
• Pelvic or lower abdominal pain
• Fever, chills, nausea or vomiting
• Bleeding or spotting
• Painful intercourse or urination

What to expect at the doctor’s visit

1. Detailed history: onset, duration, associated symptoms, sexual history
2. Physical exam: visual inspection of vulva, vagina and cervix
3. Vaginal pH testing
4. Microscopic examination (wet mount, “whiff” test)
5. Lab tests: cultures, nucleic acid amplification tests (NAAT) for STDs

Timely diagnosis reduces risks to you and your baby, including preterm labor and low birth weight.

Treatment principles in pregnancy

• Many standard antibiotics (e.g., metronidazole, ceftriaxone, azithromycin) are safe in pregnancy when used as directed.
• Always follow dosing and duration exactly.
• Treating sexual partners is crucial for STDs to prevent reinfection.

Self-care and prevention tips

• Wash daily with mild, unscented soap and water
• Avoid douching, scented sprays or harsh soaps
• Change underwear if it becomes damp; choose breathable fabrics
• Practice safe sex (latex condoms) to prevent STDs
• Keep follow-up appointments and finish any prescribed medications

When to worry and seek immediate help

Green discharge paired with any of these signs warrants urgent evaluation:

• High fever
• Severe abdominal pain
• Heavy vaginal bleeding
• Foul-smelling discharge with tissue debris

These could indicate serious infections, miscarriage or other complications.

Online symptom check and next steps

Not sure whether your symptoms are urgent? You might consider doing a free, online symptom check for Pregnancy to help guide your next steps.

Bottom line

• A slight greenish tint in otherwise normal discharge may reflect harmless hormonal fluctuations.
• Bright green, frothy or heavy discharge usually signals infection and needs evaluation.
• Early diagnosis and treatment protect both you and your baby.
• Maintain good genital hygiene, practice safe sex, and attend all prenatal visits.
• Speak to a doctor about any discharge that’s foul-smelling, accompanied by pain, fever or bleeding.

Always err on the side of caution: contact your healthcare provider if you have any concerns or if symptoms worsen. In potentially serious or life-threatening situations—severe pain, heavy bleeding, high fever—seek medical care immediately.