Understanding Vaginal Discharge: What’s Normal and What’s Not

The Lowdown on Vaginal Discharge

Vaginal discharge is a combination of mucus and secretions that indicate where you are in your menstrual cycle. Healthy discharge is typically white or clear and doesn’t have a strong odor. However, if you notice funky colors or smells, it’s time to pay attention.

Could Yellow Discharge Be a Sign of Pregnancy?

Sometimes, implantation bleeding during early pregnancy can cause a slight yellow tint in your discharge. Other signs of early pregnancy include exhaustion, unusual cravings or food aversions, nausea, moodiness, and bloating. If you’re experiencing these symptoms, it’s a good idea to take a pregnancy test to be sure.

9 Reasons You’re Seeing Yellow

Yellow discharge can have various causes, ranging from hormonal changes to infections. Here are nine possible reasons why you might be seeing yellow:

• Your Period’s About to Start: If you notice pale yellow fluid, it could be a sign that your period is approaching. This is due to a small amount of blood mixing with milky mucus.
• Shorter-Than-Usual Cycles: If you have a short cycle or an unusually timed flow, you might see dark yellow or brownish-yellow discharge just before your period or at the very end of your flow.
• Infection Alert: If your discharge is yellow and smells bad, you might have an infection. Healthy vaginal fluids don’t typically have a strong odor.
• Trichomoniasis: Frothy, yellowish-green fluid with a strong smell could be a sign of trichomoniasis, a curable STD.
• Chlamydia or Gonorrhea?: Discharge that looks like yellow pus could be a sign of chlamydia or gonorrhea, both of which can be treated with antibiotics.
• Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID): Smelly yellow or greenish discharge could be a sign of PID, a disease that can cause serious damage to your reproductive system.
• Bacterial Vaginosis (BV)?: Gray- or yellow-tinted discharge that smells like fish could be a sign of BV, which can increase your chances of getting an STI.
• Cervicitis: Smelly, pus-like ooze in a range of yellows, greens, or browns could be a sign of cervicitis, an inflamed, swollen cervix.
• Dietary Changes: In some cases, funky discharge could be due to a new vitamin, supplement, or food you’ve introduced into your diet.

Can Yellow Discharge Be Prevented?

While it’s not possible to completely prevent yellow discharge, you can reduce your odds of getting an infection by practicing good vaginal hygiene and protecting yourself against STIs.

When to Call the Doctor

If you experience strong vaginal odors, smelly discharge, chunky or frothy discharge, or itching or pain when peeing, it’s time to call the doctor. Remember, healthy vaginal discharge can be creamy, sticky, or watery, but deep or bright yellow discharge usually indicates an infection.