Salud vaginal y vulvar
Vaginal discharge: what's normal
Revisado: 4 de octubre de 2026
Solo en inglés por ahoraDischarge is a normal, healthy fluid that keeps your vagina clean and moist. Here is what usual discharge looks like and which changes are worth getting checked.
What discharge is for
Vaginal discharge is a fluid or mucus that comes out of your vagina. Having it is normal and healthy. It helps keep the vagina healthy, moist and clean, and it helps stop infections. The amount and the look of discharge can change from day to day. Getting to know what is usual for you makes it easier to spot a change that needs checking.
What healthy discharge looks like
Healthy discharge is clear or white. At some times it is thick and sticky, and at other times it is slippery and wet. It should not smell strong or bad. Around the time you ovulate (release an egg), discharge is often clearer and wetter, and you may notice more of it. These changes come from cervical mucus, which has its own article about fertility signs.
Why the amount changes
The amount of discharge varies between people and over time. You will usually have more when you are pregnant, when you are sexually active, or when you use contraception. This on its own is not a sign that anything is wrong. Logging discharge in Ciclo can help you learn your usual pattern, so a change is easier to notice and describe.
Changes that can mean an infection
Some changes point to a common infection. Discharge with a fishy smell can be a sign of bacterial vaginosis (BV). Thick, white discharge that looks like cottage cheese is typical of thrush. Green, yellow or frothy discharge can be a sign of trichomoniasis, a sexually transmitted infection (STI). Discharge with pelvic pain or bleeding can come with chlamydia or gonorrhoea. Discharge with blisters or sores can be a sign of genital herpes. All of these can be treated.
Looking after yourself
Your vagina cleans itself, so there is no need to wash inside it. Washing inside the vagina (douching) can upset its natural balance of bacteria. Gently wash the skin around the vagina with warm water and a mild, unperfumed soap. Avoid perfumed soaps and gels, deodorants and scented wipes. Perfumed products in or around the vagina are linked to BV.
When to get checked
See a doctor, nurse or sexual health clinic if your discharge changes colour, smell or texture, or if you have itching, soreness or pain. Bleeding between periods or after sex should always be checked. Do not wait if discharge comes with pain in your lower tummy. Untreated chlamydia and gonorrhoea can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and fertility problems. Get urgent medical help if you have sudden, severe pain in your lower tummy, or tummy pain with a high temperature, being sick or feeling very unwell.
This is general information, not a diagnosis. If your discharge changes or you have itching, pain or unusual bleeding, talk to a doctor or nurse.