Sexual Health Reproductive Health Issues Vaginal Health When to See a Doctor About Vaginal Discharge By Tracee Cornforth linkedin Tracee Cornforth is a freelance writer who covers menstruation, menstrual disorders, and other women's health issues. Learn about our editorial process Tracee Cornforth Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Brian Levine, MD on November 25, 2019 linkedin Brian Levine, MD, MS, FACOG, is board-certified in obstetrics and gynecology, as well as in reproductive endocrinology and infertility. Learn about our Medical Review Board Brian Levine, MD on November 25, 2019 Print A vaginal discharge is a normal function of a healthy vagina. A typical vagina contains naturally occurring bacteria that create an acidic environment. As part of their self-cleaning process, vaginas produce fluids that then leave the body as normal discharge. A normal discharge usually appears clear, cloudy white, or a light yellowish color. Normal discharge may also contain white flecks or be thin and stringy. Discharge may appear heavier towards the middle of your menstrual cycle. Changes in the thickness of the vaginal walls associated with menopause can also make discharge appear heavier or more frequently. KidStock / Getty Images There are many reasons why your vaginal discharge may appear to change. These can include emotional stress, dietary changes, pregnancy, medications (including birth control pills), and sexual arousal. While increased frequency can be annoying, in many cases it's normal. However, some changes such as foul odor, change in consistency or color, and discharge paired with cramping pain can indicate a potential medical problem. Normal and Abnormal Vaginal Discharge When to See a Doctor You should make an appointment to see your doctor if you have an abnormal vaginal discharge accompanied by any of the following: Feeling weak, fatigued, or under the weather Yellow or green vaginal dischargeA feverSevere abdominal pain or steady pain lasting more than two hoursAny visible signs of infection around the vagina or labiaIntermittent, mild, lower abdominal painPain during or immediately after sexual intercourseVaginal pain or painful rashAny sores or blisters in the vaginal area If you are having a watery discharge that is tinted with blood, and it does not appear around the time of menstruation (either before or after), make an appointment to see a gynecologist. You should consult your health care provider, within one day, anytime you have symptoms or concerns relating to abnormal vaginal discharge. Especially if it is accompanied by a foul odor or has an abnormal color such as gray, green, or yellow. Anytime you experience a vaginal discharge during pregnancy you need to see your health care provider for diagnosis and treatment. Causes of Abnormal Discharge Abnormal discharge may be the result of a yeast infection, bacterial vaginosis, trichomoniasis (a parasitic infection), or other sexually transmitted infections like chlamydia and gonorrhea. Other causes of abnormal discharge include postoperative pelvic infection, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), and in rare cases, cervical cancer. Treatment If you think you may have a sexually transmitted disease, or if you have the symptoms of a vaginal yeast infection, and you have not previously been diagnosed with a yeast infection, call your doctor as soon as possible. For a bacterial infection, your doctor will prescribe an antibiotic. For yeast infections, your doctor will likely prescribe an anti-fungal, which might be in pill, cream, or suppository form. Bacterial and yeast infections are easy to treat when caught early enough. If you have recurring bacterial or yeast infections, discuss preventative measures with your doctor. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Cleveland Clinic. How to decode your vaginal discharge — and when to worry. July 27, 2016. Girlshealth.gov. Types of STDs (STIs). Last updated November 25, 2015. Cleveland Clinic. Vaginal Discharge: Possible Causes. Last reviewed August 30, 2019. Additional Reading McKinley Health Center – University of Illinois. Vaginal discharge.