Abnormal Vaginal Discharge

About the Symptom

Normal vaginal discharge is clear or milky and thin. Abnormal discharge may be yellow or green, chunky in consistency, or foul smelling.

When to See a Doctor

Seek professional care if you experience any of the following symptoms

• Fever
• Lower abdominal pain
• Abdominal pain
• Intermenstrual bleeding
• Urinary frequency
• Increase in vaginal discharge

Possible Causes

Generally, Abnormal vaginal discharge can be related to:

• Atrophic Vaginitis

  A condition in which the vaginal surface becomes dry and thin, commonly seen after menopause due to decreased female hormone levels. Symptoms include itching and painful intercourse.

• Candidal Vulvovaginitis (Yeast Infection)

  This is a fungal infection by Candida that affects the vaginal area. Candida normally exists on skin and vaginal linings without issues. An infection occurs when the skin or vaginal lining changes in character, promoting Candida overgrowth. People with weakened immune systems or on birth control pills may be at increased risk.

• Chlamydia Infection

  A sexually transmitted infectious disease. It can cause abnormal vaginal or penile discharge and pain in the pubic area, but most infections have no symptoms. Chlamydia infection can also cause infertility and ectopic pregnancies and can be transmitted to the throat and rectum.

• Gonorrhea
• Trichomoniasis
• Bacterial Vaginosis
• Pyometra
• Uterine Prolapse

Related Serious Diseases

Sometimes, Abnormal vaginal discharge may be related to these serious diseases:

• Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

  Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) is a serious condition where there is infection and inflammation of the female pelvic organs such as the uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries. It can present with abdominal pain, fever and foul vaginal discharge, and requires medical treatment. Some cases but not all are related to sexual activity and sexually transmitted diseases (STD). It is possible to get PID without an STD. Delayed treatment can lead to infertility due to damage to the fallopian tube.

• Chorioamnionitis

Doctor's Diagnostic Questions

Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this symptom:

• Have you noticed any changes in the color, amount, or odor of your vaginal discharge?
• How often do you experience abnormal color, amount, or odor of vaginal discharge?
• Have you had more vaginal discharge lately?
• Do you have a thick white discharge like cottage cheese or yogurt?
• Has the vaginal discharge odor worsened recently?

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