Vaginal discharge: definition and meaning
Vaginal discharge is the fluid made by glands in the cervix and vaginal walls. It carries away dead cells and bacteria, keeps the vagina moist and helps prevent infection. Healthy discharge is clear to white, mild or odorless, and changes in amount and texture across the menstrual cycle. A change in color, smell or itching can signal an infection.
How it changes in your cycle
| Cycle time | Typical discharge |
|---|---|
| After your period | Little, dry or slightly sticky |
| Before ovulation | Creamy, white or cloudy, getting wetter |
| Around ovulation | Clear, slippery, stretchy (EWCM) |
| Luteal phase | Thicker, white, sometimes more noticeable before your period |
The cycle part of discharge is cervical mucus, shaped by estrogen and progesterone. Pregnancy, arousal, the pill and breastfeeding change it too.
Colors and what they can mean
- Clear or white: usually normal
- [Brown](/glossary/brown-discharge) or pink: usually old blood around a period
- Yellow or green, with smell: possible infection
- Gray with a fishy smell: possible bacterial vaginosis
- Thick white like cottage cheese, with itching: possible thrush
Why it matters
Knowing your normal makes changes easy to spot. A healthy vaginal pH keeps the balance, and soaps or douching can upset it, so warm water outside is enough. Full guide with a color chart: types of discharge.
See a doctor or sexual health clinic if discharge changes color, smells strong, is frothy, or comes with itching, soreness, pelvic pain, fever or bleeding between periods. If you might have an STI, testing is quick and confidential.
Frequently asked questions
Is it normal to have discharge every day?
Yes. Most people have some discharge daily, and the amount changes through the cycle.
Why do I have more discharge before my period?
Progesterone in the luteal phase can make discharge thicker and whiter, and some people notice more of it.
Sources
This page is for information only and isn鈥檛 medical advice. If something worries you, please talk to a doctor.
Keep reading
Discharge color chart: what each type means through your cycleA kind, clear discharge color chart: clear, white, creamy, egg white, yellow, green, gray, pink and brown discharge, what's normal and when to get checked.
Cervical mucus: definition and meaningCervical mucus is fluid made by the cervix that changes through your cycle. What each texture means, how it signals ovulation, and what's normal.Vaginal pH: definition and meaningHealthy vaginal pH is slightly acidic, around 3.8 to 4.5. What keeps it balanced, how periods and semen shift it, and signs of BV or other infections.Is it normal to have discharge every day?Discharge every day is normal and healthy. How it changes across your cycle, how much is typical, and the colors, smells and symptoms that need a check.White discharge before your period: what's normal and what's notWhite discharge is usually healthy. What thick, creamy or milky white discharge means before your period, in pregnancy, and the signs of thrush or infection.