Explore the colors, textures, and other signs of healthy versus unhealthy or abnormal discharge. Plus, 3 key tips to help maintain vaginal health.
In the 6 months to 1 year before your period, you might notice an off-white or cream-colored fluid when you wipe with toilet paper or as stains on your underwear. This is entirely normal and results from a healthy process called vaginal discharge (AKA leukorrhea). In fact, most women experience vaginal discharge throughout their lifetime.
What is discharge?
First off, vaginal discharge is normal! While it might seem a bit icky at first, it’s actually your vagina’s way of keeping itself clean and protecting you from infections.
Specifically, vaginal discharge is a mucus or fluid that can vary in color, texture, and amount throughout your menstrual cycle and lifetime. It’s made by glands inside the uterus, cervix, and vagina, and helps clean out dead cells and bacteria to keep you healthy. Discharge production is influenced by the hormone estrogen, which explains why the appearance and consistency of discharge can change so much throughout your cycle.
What does healthy, normal discharge look like?
Vaginal discharge can come in many shapes and forms and still be healthy. Vaginal discharge may become heavier with the use of hormonal birth control, if you’re sexually active, or during pregnancy.
Here’s a quick overview of typically healthy ways your discharge can look.
Healthy discharge color
White, off-white, and cream colors are considered healthy. When it dries, discharge may appear with a yellow tint. In the days surrounding your period, it’s also normal to have some bleeding or spotting with a light red or brown color.
Healthy discharge texture
Gooey, thick, thin, watery, sticky, elastic, or pasty textures are all considered normal and healthy for discharge.
Healthy amount of discharge
½ to 1 tsp (2-5 ml) per day, but this can change daily and weekly depending on where you are in your menstrual cycle and lifetime. Teens and tweens may experience less discharge early on after starting their period. Many women who experience more discharge will wear sanitary pads or underwear liners throughout the month and between periods.
When your discharge may be a sign of poor health
While discharge can vary quite a bit and still be healthy, there are some signs of poor health you may want to keep an eye on.
Fishy smell
While discharge naturally has a slight odor, a strong fishy odor could indicate an infection. Specifically, a fishy smell may be a sign of bacterial vaginosis (BV).
Chunky or foamy texture
While some chunkiness is normal, if the consistency is chunky and thick, like cottage cheese, it could be a sign of a yeast infection. Similarly, if the texture appears foamy, it could be a sign of a vaginal infection from a urinary tract infection (UTI) or sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Yellow or green color
While discharge may appear slightly yellow if it dries on your underwear, discharge that appears distinctly yellow or has a green tint could indicate an infection. Specifically, it may be a sign of trichomoniasis, an infection caused by a parasite transmitted through sexual contact.
Red or brown color
Some red or brown spotting in the days just before or after your period is normal. But discharge shouldn’t remain red throughout the whole month. If your discharge appears red the entire month, it could be a sign of additional vaginal bleeding or an infection. If discharge appears pink, it could be the result of blood mixed with vaginal fluids.
If you’ve ever wondered, “What is brown discharge,” you’re not alone. Brown discharge is usually the result of dried or old blood. And if you notice it throughout your cycle, it could indicate an infection as well.
3 Tips to Keep Your Vaginal Health in Tip-Top Shape
#1 Use neutral shower body washes and soaps
Some soaps and shower gels can prompt shifts in the vagina’s natural pH which can impact discharge consistency and color. These can also prompt skin irritation, redness, itching, and burning. Switching to pH-neutral shower gels or soaps can help decrease irritation and return your discharge to a healthier state.
#2 Shower regularly
Whether you’re a fan of showers or baths — keeping yourself clean can reduce the likelihood of bacterial growth and infections that can affect discharge.
#3 Use organic, toxin-free sanitary pads (like Pinkie’s!)
Sanitary pads aren’t exclusively for your menstrual period — they can be used throughout the rest of your cycle to keep your underwear discharge-free. Because discharge flow typically isn’t as thick as menstrual periods, many women opt for light or small pads to deal with discharge.
If you’re looking for 100% toxin-free, all-organic liners for your underwear — Pinkie’s got you covered. Pinkie’s Pads are perfectly sized for tweens and teens, with ultra-thin and leak-proof wings that make for a non-bulky and highly comfortable experience that provides protection all day long. Plus, each pad comes in a chic, rip-free drawstring pouch that’s cute to carry, perfect for passing to friends, and easy to dispose of!
