When we talk about vaginal discharge, it is something that is normal for women to have. Discharge can also be of several types, and not all of it is harmless or harmful. It is the color of the discharge that, in most cases, would talk about any undying health issue. There are various colours to watch out for, like yellow, cloudy white, and brown. In most cases, when you see a yellow or greenish-looking discharge associated with a foul smell and weird texture, it indicates an infection.
It is usually a yeast or bacterial infection that has grown and causes a weird smell and a yellow-looking discharge. It’s time to consult a gynecologist to avoid any further discomfort.
Types of Discharge
The various types of discharge known to us are broadly categorised based on their color. Let us discuss them here below:
- White: The most commonly occurring discharge known is the white discharge. When a woman has white discharge in the beginning or ending days of her menstrual cycle, it is something that should not worry you because it’s normal. Now, the situation does not remain the same, and indicates a yeast infection, when the discharge becomes thick like cottage cheese, smells foul, and starts to itch.
- Clear and watery: This here is completely a normal phenomenon and should not bother you at all. This could occur at any time on any given day in a women’s life, especially after a heavy workout.
- Clear but stretchy: A sign of ovulation is mostly known when a woman begins to have a clear discharge that is a little stretchy.
- Brownish: experiencing white discharge once again is very normal. Brownish-red spots, commonly termed spotting usually follow the ending of the menstruation cycle in women each month. In case you experience any spotting during your periods and have also recently had unprotected sex, it could also be a sign of pregnancy. The same spotting, when seen in the beginning days of your pregnancy, could indicate a miscarriage.
- In extremely rare cases, these blood-brown spots could signify cervical cancer.
- Green/yellow: the most unpleasant kind is when you have a thick, foul-smelling, sticky discharge that is greenish yellow. Discharge is an indicator of an infection and most likely a condition that may have occurred due to sexual intercourse.
Reasons of Discharge
In most cases, having a discharge is considered extremely normal and rather essential for the body as it helps in protecting the vagina by keeping it clean. Finding out white discharge reason or any other is important, and having an abnormal discharge needs attention and is most commonly a reason for infection.
Several different types of infections occur, and the commonly known ones are trichomoniasis, bacterial vaginosis, Pelvic diseases, yeast infection, etc.
Apart from keeping a watch on your vaginal discharge, you should also notice that this discharge is not accompanied by any unexpected weight gain or loss, abdominal pain, fever, or frequent and painful urination. If it does, it’s time to see a doctor.
