Vaginal discharge

In short

  • Fluid and mucus from your vagina — vaginal discharge — is usually normal. It is clear and white and usually smells a little sour.
  • The amount, colour and smell of vaginal discharge change naturally during your cycle, during pregnancy and with hormones.
  • More discharge, or different discharge, is usually not serious and often clears up by itself.
  • Wash your vagina with water only; soap and other products can irritate it.
  • See a doctor if you also have a lot of itching or pain, an unpleasant smell, or bleeding when you are not having your period.

What is vaginal discharge?

Vaginal discharge — fluid and mucus from your vagina — is usually normal. The lining (mucous membrane) of your vagina and your cervix produce fluid and mucus. Bacteria and yeasts also live in your vagina; that is normal too. They live there together in a natural balance.

Every now and then some fluid or mucus comes out:

  • It is clear and white.
  • As it dries, it turns slightly yellow.
  • It usually smells a little sour.

Some women produce more fluid than others. Other names for fluid from the vagina are vaginal discharge and, in Dutch, “witte vloed” (white flow).

What can change vaginal discharge?

Vaginal discharge changes naturally with your hormones: the colour and smell of the fluid change during your cycle, because the amount of hormones in your blood changes. You may notice more or different discharge:

  • when you are close to ovulation — about 2 weeks before your period starts
  • when you are aroused during sex
  • when you are pregnant
  • if you use the pill or hormones (oestrogens)
  • if you have a pessary

After the menopause there is often less fluid.

The fluid can also change colour or start to smell different. This can be caused by:

  • more yeast in your vagina than normal — for example because of soap, antibiotics or pregnancy
  • more bacteria in your vagina than normal — for example because of soap or douching
  • bacteria that do not belong in the vagina
  • a sexually transmitted infection (STI)
  • blood mixed in with the fluid

Is a change in vaginal discharge harmful?

Usually not. Normal fluid from your vagina is a natural thing, and even when there is more yeast or more bacteria than usual, this is usually not serious. It often clears up by itself.

If you have other symptoms as well — such as itching, an unpleasant smell, or thick, red labia — treatment may be needed. Discuss it with your GP. Sometimes the symptoms are caused by an STI. An STI can be harmful, and medication is then needed.

At Gynaecologie Amsterdam we first map out your symptoms. You are then examined with a speculum, and depending on the discharge, tests are carried out. Sometimes an ultrasound of the uterus is done to see whether the fluid is coming from the uterus.

What can you do yourself about vaginal discharge?

The most important advice: wash your vagina with water only. Symptoms are often caused by washing too much — soap and all kinds of other products can irritate your vagina. Do not use anything else:

  • no soap, not even pH-neutral soap
  • no vaginal douches, such as lactic acid douches
  • no deodorant, tea tree oil, garlic, probiotics or yoghurt in the vagina

Dry your vagina gently after washing or showering. Do not rub too hard with the towel: the skin around the vagina breaks easily.

  • Itching can happen if you are sensitive to a perfume in panty liners or sanitary pads. This does not increase or change the fluid from the vagina itself. Use cotton sanitary pads or unscented tampons. Preferably do not use panty liners; if you do want to use them, choose cotton ones.
  • Synthetic underwear or tight clothing probably does not make the discharge worse. You can try wearing only cotton underwear for a while, and see for yourself whether your symptoms improve.
  • If you are itchy, scratch as little as possible. The skin around the vagina is thin and is easily damaged by scratching.
  • Having sex while the vagina is still dry can irritate it. Give yourself time to become aroused. Let your vagina become moist first, or use a lubricant. Do not have sex if it hurts.
  • Some condoms contain a spermicide (a substance that kills sperm). This can irritate your vagina. Try condoms and lubricants that do not contain it.

When should you see a doctor about vaginal discharge?

Make an appointment with Gynaecologie Amsterdam, after a referral from your GP, if one or more of these apply to you:

  • you have a lot of itching or a lot of pain
  • you have a burning feeling when you urinate
  • the fluid has a different colour or smells unpleasant
  • the fluid is brown or red and you are not having your period
  • you think you might have an STI
  • you also have pain in your lower abdomen
  • you still have a lot of discharge after 4 weeks
  • you develop discharge or bleeding from your vagina after the menopause

Always make an appointment if you are 15 or younger and you have problems with fluid from your vagina.

Frequently asked questions

What does normal vaginal discharge look like?

Normal vaginal discharge is clear and white, turns slightly yellow as it dries, and usually smells a little sour. The amount differs from woman to woman and changes during your cycle.

Can vaginal discharge be a sign of an STI?

Sometimes. Discharge with a different colour or an unpleasant smell can be caused by an STI, and an STI can be harmful — medication is then needed. Discuss it with your GP if you think you might have an STI.

Should I wash my vagina with soap?

No. Wash your vagina with water only. Soap — even pH-neutral soap — vaginal douches and other products can irritate your vagina and are often the cause of symptoms.

How long can more vaginal discharge last before I should see a doctor?

More discharge than usual often clears up by itself. See a doctor if you still have a lot of discharge after 4 weeks, or sooner if you also have itching, pain, an unpleasant smell or bleeding when you are not having your period.

Related care

  • Vulva — itching and irritation of the skin around the vagina.
  • Transvaginal ultrasound — sometimes used to see whether the fluid is coming from the uterus.

Do you have symptoms that worry you? After a referral from your GP, you can make an appointment at Gynaecologie Amsterdam.

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We based this information on the Dutch GPs’ clinical guideline on vaginal discharge (NHG-Standaard Fluor vaginalis).