Vaginal discharge, according to the Cleveland Clinic, comes from the uterus, vagina or cervix. While most women have vaginal discharge, not all types are normal and may be a sign of an infection. Some women may experience a small amount of discharge once in a while, while others have discharge everyday. Knowing your body and what is normal for you is vital when it comes to understanding when something is wrong.
White Discharge
The Palo Alto Medical Foundation explains that at the beginning and end of your cycle, it is normal to have a thick, white discharge. If you experience itching along with this discharge, however, it may be signs of a yeast infection, thus requiring medical attention.
Clear and Stretchy
You may begin to see this mucous (discharge) after your period ends, and at first it may be cloudy in color. During this time you can stretch it between two fingers to a maximum of a quarter of an inch, according to the Hassle Free Clinic. The closer you get to ovulation, the mucous becomes clearer. At this point you should be able to stretch it up more than 1 inch. The clinic adds that this change in the mucous is necessary for sperm to survive longer and travel through the body to fertilize the egg.
Cloudy or Yellow
Certain organisms live in your body---organisms that do not belong there, according to the Hassle Free Clinic. These germs often make their way into your body through sexual intercourse. The most common sexually transmitted infections are gonorrhea, chlamydia and trichomonas.
These three infections cause various types of vaginal discharge. Gonorrhea results in discharge that is cloudy or yellow, while trichomonas presents with a green, yellow or gray discharge. Chlamydia often has no discharge or symptoms, according to the Cleveland Clinic; however, the treatment for all three infections are pills or shots given to you by your doctor.
White Discharge With Odor
Bacterial vaginosis is a common vaginal infection that results from an imbalance in your vaginal acidity, otherwise known as your pH. Factors such as your hormones, menstrual cycle, douching and sexual activity all play a role in this. Bacterial vaginosis causes a white discharge and a fishy odor. Treatment usually requires pills or vaginal cream.
Blood/Brown Discharge
The Palo Alto Medical Foundation states that during ovulation or in the middle of your cycle, you may experience a discharge that is brownish in color. It may even be blood that appears to be dark brown. The site explains that if you have this spotting or discharge when you are expecting your period, rather than having a regular flow, you should perform a pregnancy test as it may be a sign of pregnancy.
