Healthdirect names thrush, bacterial vaginosis and sexually transmitted infections as the common causes of abnormal vaginal discharge. Most discharge, though, is a healthy sign that your body is doing its job.
This guide explains what normal looks like across your cycle, which changes need attention and where to get help in Australia, including the free healthdirect nurse line on 1800 022 222, which runs 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Quick answer: Normal vaginal discharge is clear or white with no offensive smell, and it changes through your cycle, becoming clear, stretchy and slippery near ovulation. Thick white, fishy-smelling, or green, yellow or frothy discharge can signal an infection. See your doctor if your discharge looks or smells different from usual or comes with itching or pain.
What does normal vaginal discharge do?
Healthy discharge keeps the vulva and vagina moist and protects against infection. Healthdirect's guide to vaginal discharge explains that it is slightly acidic, with a pH between 3.8 and 5.0, and that this acidity helps prevent infection. Normal discharge is usually clear or white, has no offensive smell and needs no treatment.
How much you have varies from person to person. Discharge usually lessens after menopause because oestrogen levels drop.
How does discharge change across my cycle?
It follows your hormones through the month. Healthdirect describes a typical pattern:
- Just after your period, there may be little or no discharge, or it may be thicker.
- As ovulation approaches, rising oestrogen increases discharge, and it turns clear, stretchy and slippery, which helps sperm move and marks your most fertile days.
- After ovulation, it becomes thicker again.
Sexual arousal and pregnancy often increase discharge too. If you notice spotting before a period, our article on brown discharge before your period goes into it.
Which discharge colours and textures are a warning sign?
Thick white discharge like cottage cheese, a fishy or foul smell, and green, yellow or frothy discharge are all signs that something is not right, healthdirect says. So is discharge that comes with lower stomach pain, bleeding between periods, or genital sores or blisters. Healthdirect's colour clues are a starting point, not a diagnosis:
| What you see | Possible cause |
|---|---|
| Thick and white | Thrush or vaginitis |
| White or grey with a fishy smell | Bacterial vaginosis |
| Yellow or green | Trichomoniasis |
| Brown or bloody | Menstruation, chlamydia, gonorrhoea, trauma or cancer |
On the Jean Hailes vulval and vaginal conditions page, BV discharge is described as watery and white, grey or greenish with an unpleasant or fishy smell, while thrush brings thick, white discharge and an itchy vulva. More than half of women with BV have no symptoms at all.
Can I stop or reduce vaginal discharge?
Healthy discharge does not need stopping; healthdirect points out that normal discharge needs no treatment. You can, however, avoid things that irritate the area:
- skip scented soaps, harsh products and douching;
- wear cotton underwear and avoid tight clothing;
- wipe from front to back after using the toilet;
- change out of wet swimwear or gym clothes promptly;
- practise safe sex to lower your risk of STIs.
Jean Hailes also suggests avoiding perfumed toilet paper, pads, tampons, soaps and washes.
When to see a GP
Healthdirect recommends seeing your doctor if:
- your discharge looks or smells different from what you usually have, or you are concerned;
- you have bleeding between periods or after sex;
- you have a vaginal itch or pain during sex;
- you have lower abdominal or back pain, or a fever;
- you are pregnant and your discharge has a strong or unpleasant smell, contains blood, or comes with itching or pain.
If you need urgent medical help, call triple zero (000).
Frequently asked questions
Is clear, stretchy discharge a sign of ovulation?
Often, yes. Healthdirect explains that as ovulation nears, rising oestrogen makes discharge clear, stretchy and slippery. This texture helps sperm travel and signals your most fertile days. After ovulation it usually becomes thicker again. Arousal and pregnancy can also increase how much discharge you notice.
Can I treat thrush myself?
Sometimes. Healthdirect's thrush page says self-treatment is generally safe if you have had thrush before, treated it successfully and are sure of your symptoms. See a doctor if it is your first episode, over-the-counter treatment is not working, you get 4 or more infections a year, or you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
How common are thrush and BV?
Both are very common. Jean Hailes says thrush affects 75% of women at least once and about 5% have recurrent thrush, meaning four or more episodes a year. BV affects up to 30% of women at some stage, and about half have it again within 12 months, so a repeat episode is worth discussing with your GP.
Does discharge change after menopause?
Yes. Healthdirect says discharge usually decreases after menopause as oestrogen falls. Jean Hailes notes that vulvovaginal atrophy, which causes dryness, itching and burning, affects about 40% of postmenopausal women and can be mistaken for thrush. If you notice any of these symptoms, or spotting after sex, see your GP promptly.
Looking for a reusable option that shows you how much you are losing? The Lunette period cup is a menstrual cup made from 100% medical-grade silicone with measuring lines on the inside, and our period cup size guide helps you pick Size 1 or Size 2.
This information is general in nature and is not medical advice. If you have concerns, talk to your GP, a pharmacist or call healthdirect.
