Vaginal discharge is where biological fuids are contained within, or expelled from the vagina. Whilst most discharge is normal and reflect the various stages of the menstrual cycle, it can result from an infection (e.g. STD).

• Physiological:
  • Cyclical discharge, which is thick and white, odourless. It occurs at the beginning and end of a menstrual cycle
  • Ovulation, where is clear and stretch. It occurs during ovulation
  • Amniotic fluid/Rupture of membranes, which is clear, causing vaginal pH>4.5. It occurs in pregnancy
• Pathological:
  • Candidiasis (i.e. yeast infection), which is thick, white, lumpy
  • Trichomoniasis, which is copious, green, frothy
  • Gonorrhea, which is creamy white or yellow, odourless
  • Chlamydia, which is purulent, malodorous
  • Bacterial vaginosis, which is thin, grey or green, fishy odour

• Vaginal bleeding