Does White Creamy Discharge with No Smell Indicate an Infection?

Family Medicine, Primary Care Roots Community Health Center, Hippo Education, Kameda Medical Center

Supervised by Kenji Taylor, MD

White creamy discharge with no smell is often normal, but sometimes it can be a sign of a yeast infection if other symptoms appear.

Explanation

White creamy discharge can be a normal part of your body's work, especially when there is no strong smell. Many people have a little white discharge because the vagina cleans itself regularly. However, in some cases, this kind of discharge may be a sign of a yeast infection. Yeast infections, also called thrush, usually make the vagina produce a thick, white, creamy discharge that might look like cottage cheese. Even if there is no odor, a yeast infection can still cause itching, irritation, or redness. If you only notice the creamy discharge without any discomfort or other changes, it might be just a normal variation of your body’s natural fluids. But if you start to feel itchiness, burning, or irritation, it is a good idea to talk to a healthcare provider. They can check and decide if treatment is needed. Keeping track of any changes helps you stay healthy and comfortable.

(References)

Kelly KG. Tests on Vaginal Discharge. In: Walker HK, Hall WD, Hurst JW, editors. Clinical Methods: The History, Physical, and Laboratory Examinations. 3rd edition. Boston: Butterworths; 1990. Chapter 179. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK288/
InformedHealth.org [Internet]. Cologne, Germany: Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG); 2006-. Overview: Vaginal yeast infection (thrush) [Updated 2022 Apr 4]. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK543220/
Alenizy HK, AlQahtani MH, Aleban SA, Almuwallad RI, Binsuwaidan LA, Alabdullah DW, Althomali AE. Knowledge and Practice Regarding Abnormal Vaginal Discharge Among Adolescent Females in Riyadh City: An Observational Study. Cureus. 2024 Mar 22;16(3):e56719. doi: 10.7759/cureus.56719. PMID: 38650786; PMCID: PMC11034890.

Tell your friends about us.

We would love to help them too.

For First Time Users

What is Ubie’s Doctor’s Note?

We provide a database of explanations from real doctors on a range of medical topics. Get started by exploring our library of questions and topics you want to learn more about.

Learn more about symptoms

Abnormal vaginal discharge

Not sure about the cause of your current symptoms?

Try our AI-based symptom check

With an easy 3-min questionnaire, you can get an free AI-powered report on possible causes

Tips to try:

Provide specific, detailed info about all symptoms you have.
Give accurate information about yourself including current conditions.
Answer all follow-up questions

Purpose and positioning of servicesUbie Doctor’s Note is a service for informational purposes, and the provision of information by physicians, medical professionals, etc. is not a medical practice. The provision of information by physicians, medical professionals, etc. is not a medical treatment. If medical treatment is required, please consult your doctor or medical institution. We strive to provide reliable and accurate information, but we do not guarantee the completeness of the content. If you find any errors in the information, please contact us.