Planned Parenthood

Someone asked us:

What’s up with discharge? What is normal and what isn’t?

This is such a common question. Thanks for asking and helping us set the record straight.

Discharge is a totally normal part of having a vagina. And there isn’t an exact way that it’s always supposed to look—the color, texture, and general appearance of discharge can vary. During puberty, vaginas start producing leukorrhea—a white or clear discharge. Maybe you remember noticing this for the first time when you were younger. The good news is, discharge is and has always been a natural part of having a vagina. It also has a characteristic scent, which is also totally normal. During ovulation, or if you’re aroused, discharge can be slippery and clear. Sometimes discharge can be white and thick. Cervical mucus changes throughout your menstrual cycle, so changing discharge is a kind of indicator of what’s up at various points during the month.

Another reason why it’s worth paying attention to your discharge: it can let you know when something’s off. If your vulva or discharge smells really bad, fishy, or yeasty, or if your vulva feels itchy or irritated, you should see a health care provider. These could be symptoms of something as common and easily treated as a yeast infection, or it could be an STD.

But simply having discharge isn’t an indication that there’s something wrong—in fact, it’s telling you that your body is doing something right. You’ve probably heard people say that vaginas are self-cleaning, and normal discharge is the evidence of that.

-Nina at Planned Parenthood