Why is discharge white

If itching is present, thick white discharge may indicate a yeast infection. Clear and watery — This occurs at different times of your cycle and can be particularly heavy after exercising. Old blood looks brown. Spotting blood — This may occur mid-cycle or when ovulating. Sometimes early in pregnancy you may have spotting or a brownish discharge at the time your period would normally come.

Is This Normal? A doctor can give you a better answer than a simple web search by gathering additional information, such as: How old are you?

Are you taking any medications? Do you take herbs or vitamins? Do you have pain or itching? Are you pregnant? Do you have any other health problems, such as diabetes? If you have any of the following symptoms, see your healthcare provider: Discharge is yellow or green, clumpy or has a bad odor. Rash or sores alone or with a vaginal discharge. This is a normal type of discharge. Brown or bloody discharge is usually normal, especially when it occurs during or right after your menstrual cycle.

A late discharge at the end of your period can look brown instead of red. You may also experience a small amount of bloody discharge between periods. This is called spotting. Spotting during an early phase of pregnancy can be a sign of miscarriage , so it should be discussed with your OB-GYN. In rare cases, brown or bloody discharge can be a sign of endometrial or cervical cancer.

It could be other problems such as fibroids or other abnormal growths. Your gynecologist will check for cervical abnormalities during these procedures. This type of discharge may be a sign of the infection trichomoniasis.

Normal vaginal discharge is a healthy bodily function. Exercise, use of birth control pills , and emotional stress may also result in discharge. Bacterial vaginosis is a quite common bacterial infection. It causes increased vaginal discharge that has a strong, foul, and sometimes fishy odor, although it produces no symptoms in some cases. Women who receive oral sex or who have multiple sexual partners have an increased risk of acquiring this infection.

Trichomoniasis is another type of infection. The infection is usually spread by sexual contact, but it can also be contracted by sharing towels or bathing suits.

It results in a yellow or green discharge that has a foul odor. A yeast infection is a fungal infection that produces white, cottage cheese-like discharge in addition to burning and itching sensations. The presence of yeast in the vagina is normal, but its growth can multiply out of control in certain situations.

The following may increase your likelihood of yeast infections:. Gonorrhea and chlamydia are sexually transmitted infections STIs that can produce an abnormal discharge. In the first days of your menstrual cycle, you may experience thin, milky white vaginal discharge.

As you get closer to your period, the discharge may become thicker and more opaque. In the early stages of pregnancy , some people produce a thin, milky white discharge. This discharge results from hormonal changes, which are preparing the body for the nine months of pregnancy.

The discharge can help clear away bacteria, germs, and dirt. It also helps form a mucus plug in the cervix. This keeps the cervix healthy and prevents the spread of bacteria into the uterus during the pregnancy. However, if the color of the discharge develops a white-gray shade and a strong fishy odor, the discharge may be a sign of an infection. Common symptoms of bacterial vaginosis include milky white and gray discharge with a strong, bad odor. Your vagina does a wonderful job of maintaining the pH balance of an entire spectrum of bacteria and fungi that live in it.

From time to time, this balance is upset, and certain bad bacteria or fungi are allowed to thrive. A fungus called Candida albicans can quickly blossom and develop into an infection. If you believe you have a yeast infection, over-the-counter treatment options are available to you.

Prescription medications are used in more moderate or severe cases. However, in some women with recurrent infections, their male partner may be treated. There may be underlying issues leading to your frequent vaginal infections. This vaginal discharge will act as a barrier to prevent sperm from getting through your cervix and into your uterus. Normal vaginal discharge is usually clear or milky and may have a subtle scent that is not unpleasant or foul smelling.

These changes in color and thickness are associated with ovulation and are natural. But outside of normal changes associated with your cycle, other changes may not be normal. Your discharge may indicate an imbalance of healthy bacteria in your vagina, which can be a sign that all is not well.

So how can you tell when vaginal discharge may be signaling a problem? Changes that may signal a problem include an increase in the amount of discharge, and a change in the color, smell or texture of the discharge.

You may also experience other symptoms with a change in discharge, such as irritation, itchiness or burning in or around your vagina. The combination of these factors can help reveal what may be going on in your body.