Medically reviewed by Jillian Foglesong Stabile, MD, FAAFP on March 13, 2026. To give you technically accurate, evidence-based information, content published on the Everlywell blog is reviewed by credentialed professionals with expertise in medical and bioscience fields.
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Table of contents
- What Does “Normal” Discharge Look Like?
- What Does “Abnormal” Discharge Look Like?
- 3 STIs And “Abnormal” Discharge: What to Look For
- Other Causes of “Abnormal” Discharge
- Diagnosing, Treating, and Protecting Against STIs
- Stay Up-to-Date On Your Sexual Health
- Related Content
As any woman or person assigned female at birth (AFAB) knows firsthand, vaginal discharge is a pretty common occurrence. In fact, it’s a sign—and function—of physical health: vaginal discharge helps keep the vagina clean and free of harmful pathogens.
To that end, noticing something “off” about your usual patterns may indicate your immune system is overburdened, or your body is dealing with an underlying health issue. Whether it’s an unusual odor or your discharge has a strange color, it’s important to know if it’s a sexually transmitted disease causing changes so you can get treated as soon as possible.
What Does “Normal” Discharge Look Like?
Think of vaginal discharge as the ordinary housekeeping your vagina carries out to maintain itself and stay healthy. During this process, the cervix sheds a combination of:
- Vaginal cells
- Cervical mucus
- Vaginal fluids
Together, they form a white or translucent substance: healthy vaginal discharge. But even healthy vaginal discharge goes through fluctuations over the course of the menstrual cycle and even over the course of a lifetime. [1]
For instance [1]:
- Ovulatory vaginal discharge tends to be clear and gummy, making it easier to trap and lure sperm toward an ovulated egg.
- When discharge is thin, opaque, or tacky, it’s usually a sign you’re outside of your fertile window.
Under healthful conditions, discharge carries little more than a mild odor, if any at all.
Moreover, it’s produced in relatively small amounts, though volume increases slightly during ovulation.
What Does “Abnormal” Discharge Look Like?
The first step in identifying STD discharge or STI discharge is to determine if it’s abnormal. One of the clearest signs you may need to seek out a healthcare provider is if your discharge has an unusual color.
3 STIs And “Abnormal” Discharge: What to Look For
Three STIs, in particular, are known to cause observable changes in what a woman’s discharge looks like.
Trichomoniasis Vaginal Discharge
Trichomoniasis is a common sexually transmitted infection that originates with a parasite.
Importantly, the CDC cautions that approximately 70% of people infected with trichomoniasis do not show any symptoms. [6]
Chlamydia: Yellow Vaginal Discharge
Chlamydia is a very common STI that’s caused by bacteria.
Left untreated, a chlamydial infection can seriously damage a woman’s reproductive system.
Gonorrhea: Yellow-Greenish Vaginal Discharge
Chlamydia and gonorrhea often appear together.
Other Causes of “Abnormal” Discharge
While STIs can certainly cause discharge disturbances, it’s also possible your symptoms were caused by a different reproductive imbalance or infection.
Diagnosing, Treating, and Protecting Against STIs
Vaginal discharge disturbances can have many causes, but if you notice something is amiss, one of the best things you can do is screen for multiple common STIs.
You can test for STIs from the privacy of your home with the Everlywell STI test kit.
Consistent testing is a key step to take in sexual well-being.
Stay Up-to-Date On Your Sexual Health
If you notice unusual vaginal discharge, consulting with a healthcare provider can help determine the cause and appropriate treatment options.
While laboratory testing is often required for a reliable diagnosis, some sexual health services allow you to connect with licensed providers online to discuss symptoms and possible treatment options. You can explore online care options and, if appropriate, receive provider-reviewed treatment with pharmacy pickup or discreet home delivery.
Related Content
How do you know if you have an STD? Female STD symptoms to look out for
Abnormal vaginal discharge: common causes, types, and treatments
STD vs. yeast infection: 4 differences in symptoms
References
- Professional, C. C. medical. (n.d.-a). Cervical mucus: Chart, stages, tracking & fertility. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/21957-cervical-mucus
- NHS. Vaginal Discharge in Pregnancy. https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/related-conditions/common-symptoms/vaginal-discharge/. Accessed October 24, 2023.
- France M;Alizadeh M;Brown S;Ma B;Ravel J; (n.d.). Towards a deeper understanding of the vaginal microbiota. Nature microbiology.
- Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2023c, April 25). Vaginal discharge causes. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/vaginal-discharge/basics/causes/sym-20050825
- Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (n.d.-e). Trichomoniasis. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/trichomoniasis/symptoms-causes/syc-20378609
- Trichomoniasis - CDC Fact Sheet. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.https://www.cdc.gov/std/trichomonas/stdfact-trichomoniasis.htm. Accessed October 24, 2023.
- Professional, C. C. medical. (n.d.-b). Chlamydia: Causes, symptoms, treatment & prevention. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/4023-chlamydia
- Chlamydia Statistics. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/std/chlamydia/stats.htm. Accessed October 24, 2023.
- Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2023b, April 14). Gonorrhea. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gonorrhea/symptoms-causes/syc-20351774
- Gonorrhea - CDC Fact Sheet. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/std/gonorrhea/stdfact-gonorrhea.htm. Accessed October 24, 2023.
- Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2023d, April 25). Vaginal discharge causes. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/vaginal-discharge/basics/causes/sym-20050825
- Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2023f, June 10). Bacterial vaginosis. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bacterial-vaginosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20352279
- Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (n.d.-c). Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pelvic-inflammatory-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20352594#symptoms
- professional, C. C. medical. (n.d.-x). Vaginal yeast infection: Causes, symptoms & treatment. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/5019-vaginal-yeast-infection#symptoms-and-causes
- Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2023k, September 8). Sexually transmitted diseases (stds). Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sexually-transmitted-diseases-stds/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20351246
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