Discharge changes through the month and is usually a sign of a healthy vagina. Learn the normal patterns by cycle phase and the colours, smells and symptoms that need checking.
The short answer
Clear to white discharge without a strong smell is normal and keeps the vagina clean and healthy. The amount and texture change through your cycle. Discharge that is green, yellow or grey, smells fishy or foul, is thick like cottage cheese, or comes with itching, burning, pain or bleeding should be checked.
Normal changes through your cycle
- After your period: little discharge, feeling dry.
- Building towards ovulation: creamy, white or sticky.
- Around ovulation: more, clear, slippery and stretchy, like raw egg white. This is your fertile window.
- After ovulation: thicker, cloudier and less.
- Pregnancy and hormonal contraception: often more discharge than usual.
- After menopause: usually less, with possible dryness.
The short version
Changes that need checking
| What you notice | Possible cause |
|---|---|
| Thin grey-white, fishy smell | Bacterial vaginosis |
| Thick white, clumpy, itchy | Yeast infection (thrush) |
| Green or yellow, frothy, smelly | Trichomoniasis |
| More discharge with pelvic pain or bleeding after sex | Chlamydia or gonorrhoea |
| Brown or bloody between periods | Hormone changes, contraception, or something to investigate |
| Very bad smell | A forgotten tampon or infection |
Keeping the vagina healthy
- The vagina cleans itself. Wash the vulva with water or a mild unscented wash only.
- Avoid douches, vaginal steaming, scented wipes and sprays; they upset the natural balance.
- Wear cotton or breathable underwear and change out of wet swimwear or gym clothes.
- Use condoms with new partners and get STI testing.
When to see a doctor
Book an appointment if discharge changes colour, smell or texture, or comes with itching, soreness, pain when peeing, pelvic pain, bleeding between periods or after sex, or after menopause. Many sexual health clinics offer free, confidential testing.
Frequently asked questions
What colour should normal discharge be?
Clear to white, and it may dry slightly yellow on underwear.
Why do I have so much discharge?
Discharge increases around ovulation, in pregnancy and with some contraception. This is normal if it has no strong smell and no itching.
Does egg-white discharge mean ovulation?
Clear, stretchy discharge usually appears in the days around ovulation, your most fertile time.
When is discharge a sign of infection?
When it is green, yellow or grey, smells fishy or foul, or comes with itching, burning, pain or bleeding.
Try the free period & ovulation predictor tool
Your next periods, estimated ovulation and fertile window, with a calendar. It takes about a minute and your answers stay on your device.
