Excessive Discharge

About the Symptom

Vaginal discharge that is clear or white and does not have a significant odor or cause irritation, can be a normal part of a healthy vagina. Discharge can increase with sexual arousal and changes in the menstrual cycle. If the vaginal discharge has changed from what is typical, or is causing odor or irritation it can be abnormal and should be investigated for infection.

When to See a Doctor

Seek professional care if you experience any of the following symptoms

• Abdominal pain
• Abnormal menstruation
• Abdominal bloating sensation

Possible Causes

Generally, Excessive discharge can be related to:

• 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.

• Bacterial Vaginosis

  A healthy human vagina contains various types of bacteria. When the balance of bacteria is disrupted, some types can overgrow and cause symptoms. Common triggers include vaginal washing, sexual intercourse, or use of an Intrauterine Device.

• 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.

• Trichomoniasis
• Pyometra
• Gonorrhea
• Atrophic Vaginitis
• Pregnancy

Related Serious Diseases

Sometimes, Excessive 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 had more vaginal discharge lately?
• How often do you experience abnormal color, amount, or odor of vaginal discharge?
• Do you have a thick white discharge like cottage cheese or yogurt?
• Has the vaginal discharge odor worsened recently?
• Is your vaginal discharge yellow?

Find Similar Symptoms

References

• ACOG Patient FAQ Vaginitis

  https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/vaginitis?utm_source=redirect&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=otn

• ACOG Patient FAQ Vulvovaginal health

  https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/vulvovaginal-health

• Hildebrand JP, Kansagor AT. Vaginitis. [Updated 2022 Nov 14]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan-.

  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470302/