- According to research done by Medical News Today, vaginal discharge is fluid secreted from tiny glands in the vagina and cervix.
- This fluid leaks from the vagina each day to remove old cells and debris, keeping the vagina and reproductive tract clean and healthy.
It is common to wonder whether the colour or consistency of vaginal discharge is normal or whether one needs to be examined.
There are different types of vaginal discharges and they all have different reasons for why they occur.
Some are normal discharges from how the body functions while some are abnormal and one needs to see a doctor.
According to research done by Medical News Today, vaginal discharge is fluid secreted from tiny glands in the vagina and cervix.
This fluid leaks from the vagina each day to remove old cells and debris, keeping the vagina and reproductive tract clean and healthy.
The amount of vaginal discharge can vary significantly from person to person.
Smelly, yellow discharge
A yellow discharge with a strong smell suggests an infection.
The infection could be anything from bacterial vaginosis to a sexually transmitted infection (STI).
The symptoms that people can look out for include, discharge with an unusual fishy smell, soreness, itching, redness or burning and increased volume of discharge that can be yellowish, but also white, clear, or green.
Discomfort during sexual intercourse can also be a problem that one has to see a doctor for examination.
If one notices the yellow discharge and smell, she should make a point of visiting a doctor.
White vaginal discharge
Many women experience thick, white discharge before their periods.
This is considered healthy unless the discharge is lumpy or accompanied by a strong odour.
Doctor Evans Karanja, in an interview, said the white clear discharge also can be a sign of yeast infection.
"If you notice the amount of the white discharge has increased and is sometimes smelly, see a doctor for examination and treatment," he said.
Clear discharge
Karanja said clear discharge is healthy and one should not be worried about it unless it's smelly.
He said the clear discharge can also be a sign of pregnancy or ovulation.
"If you had unprotected sexual intercourse and after some weeks you notice clear discharge and it's not your ovulation time, you might test for pregnancy and the result could turn out positive 99.8 per cent," he said.
He added the clear discharge might also signify hormonal imbalance hence why one should have regular check-ups.
Gray discharge
Karanja said the gray discharge is caused by bacterial vaginosis.
Bacterial vaginosis is a type of vaginal inflammation caused by the overgrowth of bacteria naturally found in the vagina, which upsets the natural balance.
"Women in their reproductive years are most likely to get bacterial vaginosis, but it can affect women of any age," he said.
He emphasised the need to see a doctor once a person notices the discharge has turned to gray.
He said the cause isn't completely understood, but certain activities, such as unprotected sex or frequent douching, increase the risk.
The discharge has a fishy smelly odour.
Pink discharge
A pink discharge signifies cervical bleeding.
Pregnancy is a common cause. Fibroids in the uterus can also cause bleeding.
Dr Karanja said rarely, a thyroid problem, infection of the cervix, or cancer of the uterus can cause abnormal uterine bleeding.
"In most women, abnormal uterine bleeding is caused by a hormone imbalance and in search cases, one needs to see a doctor before things get worse," he said.
Vaginal irritation is another symptom that triggers the pink discharge called vaginitis.
It's an inflammation of the vagina that can result in discharge, itching and pain.
The cause is usually a change in the balance of vaginal bacteria or an infection. Reduced estrogen levels after menopause and some skin disorders also can cause vaginitis.
Implantation bleeding, the doctor said can cause a pink discharge.
Implantation bleeding is defined as a small amount of light spotting or bleeding.
It typically occurs about 10 to 14 days after conception. Implantation bleeding is common, and it usually isn't a sign of a problem.
Implantation bleeding is thought to happen when the fertilized egg attaches to the lining of the uterus.
The doctor said implantation bleeding is lighter than menstrual bleeding.
Dr Karanja said some people don't experience implantation bleeding and others don't notice it.
"Sometimes, implantation bleeding is mistaken for a light period. If this happens, you might not realize that you're pregnant. This can lead to mistakes when determining a baby's due date," he said.
Take away
Always visit a doctor when you notice any change in your body to reduce the chances of having major problems in future.