Green Vaginal Discharge: Causes, Treatments, and Prevention

For anyone with a vagina, it can be surprising and even upsetting to experience discharge of an unexpected color.

The good news is, it’s totally normal for vaginal discharge — fluids secreted from your cervical glands — to occasionally change color and even consistency. 

Certain changes, though, may signal a health condition.

Green discharge, for example, could indicate an infection that requires treatment by a medical provider.

Infections that cause green discharge can be uncomfortable, but there are many treatments available, and you can also take steps to prevent abnormal discharge. 

In this article, I’ll explore green vaginal discharge causes, what green discharge means, and possible treatments. I’ll also cover what normal discharge is like and how to prevent abnormal discharge.

Finally, I’ll explain when to see a doctor for abnormal discharge. 

Green Vaginal Discharge Causes

While it’s normal to experience changes in your discharge from time to time, green discharge is usually not normal, and can often indicate an infection.  

One of the most common causes for green vaginal discharge is bacterial vaginosis, an infection thought to be caused by a disruption in people’s vaginal flora.

Along with excessive, fishy-smelling green or yellow discharge, bacterial vaginosis can cause pain and itching in the vagina.

People with bacterial vaginosis may also experience pain during urination.

Sexually Transmitted Infections and Diseases

Some infections that cause green or yellowish green discharge are sexually transmitted infections, or STIs, such as: 

• Trichomoniasis: Also known as “trich,” trichomoniasis is an STI that spreads through unprotected sex with an infected person. Trichomoniasis usually causes greenish-yellow discharge that smells fishy or musty and looks frothy, and it can cause pain, burning, or itching in the vagina accompanied by painful urination. Some cases of trichomoniasis can also be asymptomatic, not causing any symptoms for the infected individual.  

• Gonorrhea: Another STI, gonorrhea, can lead to green or yellow discharge that smells foul. In addition to increased discharge, people with gonorrhea usually have painful urination, vaginal bleeding between periods, and pelvic or abdominal pain.
• Chlamydia: This infection also causes smelly green or yellow discharge that’s accompanied by pain during sex and urination along with vaginal bleeding between periods. 

Yeast Infections vs Bacterial Vaginosis

If you’re experiencing changes in your vaginal discharge, you may be wondering whether your symptoms are due to a yeast infection or bacterial vaginosis.

These two infections can both cause discomfort and change your discharge, but they have different causes.

Yeast infections are caused by a fungal infection, and bacterial vaginosis happens from a bacterial infection. 

Yeast infections and bacterial vaginosis usually cause different types of discharge.

While yeast infections often cause thick, white, clumpy discharge, BV can result in thin, milky gray, yellow, or even green vaginal discharge.

It’s possible for a yeast infection to cause an unpleasant smell, but bacterial vaginosis usually has a distinct, fishy smell. 

The treatments for yeast infection and bacterial vaginosis are different, too.

If you’re unsure whether you have a yeast infection or bacterial vaginosis, check in with your doctor for an exam and diagnosis. 

What Green Discharge Means

Everybody notices changes in their discharge, and some of those changes can represent perfectly healthy processes in the body, like ovulation or sexual excitement. 

Green discharge, however, is usually cause for concern.

It can occur due to an infection, which can cause uncomfortable symptoms along with changes in discharge.

Left untreated, infections can worsen and spread to the bloodstream, so it’s important to seek medical treatment if you have green discharge.  

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Possible Treatments

Learning an infection is causing your green vaginal discharge can be upsetting.

Fortunately, there are several effective treatments for bacterial infections, including those that affect your discharge. 

Bacterial vaginosis treatments 

If you’re diagnosed with bacterial vaginosis, your healthcare provider may prescribe you an antibiotic, a type of drug that stops bacteria from growing and reduces infection symptoms. 

It’s important to seek treatment if you suspect an infection, both to decrease your symptoms and your risk of complications.

Treatment is especially vital if you’re pregnant, as BV and STIs can both cause adverse pregnancy outcomes. 

The following drugs are often prescribed for bacterial vaginosis: 

• Metronidazole: The generic form of Flagyl and Metrogel-Vaginal, metronidazole is an antibiotic that’s available as an oral tablet or a topical gel you apply to your vagina.  
• Clindamycin: This medicine, the generic version of Cleocin and Clindesse, is a cream you insert into your vagina. 
• Secnidazole: This drug — the generic form of Solosec — is a one-dose antibiotic. It typically comes in a pocket of small granules you add to food and eat.
• Tinidazole: Also sold under the brand name Tindamax, this medication is an oral antibiotic commonly used for vaginal infections. 

Sexually transmitted infection treatments

Sexually transmitted infections caused by bacteria are best treated with oral antibiotics, because the infection isn’t only in your vagina.

Depending on the type of infection you have and how severe it is, your medical provider may prescribe one of a few types of antibiotics.

You may be prescribed a one-time dose or antibiotic medication you take daily or several times a day for several days.

No matter what type of drug you’re prescribed, always follow your doctor’s instructions and finish the dose.

Stopping antibiotics prematurely can result in antibiotic resistance, which means future infections could be more difficult to treat. 

What is Normal Discharge Like?

There’s no one “normal” color or consistency of discharge.

Your vagina can secrete different forms of discharge at different times.

For example, your discharge may change at different points in your menstrual cycle, if you take birth control, or during pregnancy. 

It’s typical for vaginal discharge to be either clear or white.

If your vaginal discharge becomes yellow, green, or gray, it’s important to get checked out by a medical provider.

These colors can indicate a potential infection or another medical condition. 

Prevention of Abnormal Discharge

Many infections that cause green discharge are treatable, but it’s important to do what you can to prevent conditions like sexually transmitted infections and bacterial vaginosis. 

To prevent a sexually transmitted infection, always use condoms when you have sex of any kind, especially with a new partner.

If possible, ensure your partner doesn’t have an STI before engaging in sexual activity. 

Bacterial vaginosis isn’t always preventable.

Some people get BV due to a natural lack of “good bacteria” in their vaginas.

Douching can also heighten your risk of bacterial vaginosis, so avoid washing inside your vagina with soap and water. 

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When to See a Medical Provider

Noticing changes in your vaginal discharge can be disconcerting.

Your healthcare provider is the best resource for finding out whether these changes could be due to an infection or another health condition.

A doctor can also recommend the best course of treatment if you do have an infection. 

If you’ve already been diagnosed with an infection, call your doctor right away if it’s not responding to treatment or getting worse.

Certain red flags may also indicate an infection is spreading, which requires prompt medical care.  

Seek emergency medical treatment if you experience any of the below symptoms during an infection: 

• Fever
• Chills
• Fatigue
• Weakness
• Feeling weak or faint
• Nausea and vomiting

How K Health Can Help

Did you know you can access online urgent care with K Health?

Check your symptoms, explore conditions and treatments, and if needed, text with a healthcare provider in minutes. 

K Health’s AI-powered app is HIPAA compliant and is based on 20 years of clinical data.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean when you have a green discharge?

Green discharge most often indicates an infection. Bacterial vaginosis, an infection caused by a disruption in your vaginal bacteria, can cause yellow or green discharge along with itching and pain during urination. Sexually transmitted infections such as chlamydia and gonorrhea can also cause green or yellow-green discharge. If you have green discharge, talk to your doctor.

Is it normal to have light green discharge?

It’s not normal to have green discharge. Typically, green or yellow discharge happens if you have an infection. It’s important to speak to a healthcare provider if you think you may have an infection, as untreated infections can result in potentially serious medical complications.

K Health articles are all written and reviewed by MDs, PhDs, NPs, or PharmDs and are for informational purposes only. This information does not constitute and should not be relied on for professional medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment.

K Health has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions,
and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references.

• Abnormal Vaginal Discharge. (n.d.).
  https://www.chop.edu/conditions-diseases/vaginitis

• Vaginal discharge. (1990).
  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK281/

• Vaginal discharge. (2007).
  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2099568/

• Vaginal itching and discharge: adult and adolescent. (n.d.).
  https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003158.htm

Vaginal Discharge Color Guide: What Is Normal?

Vaginal discharge is the fluid that naturally comes from your vagina. You usually don’t need to worry about discharge, but it’s best to check in with a doctor if it turns gray or green, or you have bloody discharge that happens outside your menstrual period.

Let’s be real: Many of us have experienced that moment when you pulled down your pants in the bathroom, saw a different color than usual, and asked, “Is that normal?”

This is often followed by questions like, “Is it the time of the month?”, “What did I eat this week?”, and even “How was the sex last night?”

Many of these colors are common and not a reflection of illness. But even if you know you’re in the clear, what do these colors actually mean?

Well, wonder no longer. We put together a color guide that’s not only medically accurate, but also fun to look at. And even though there’s usually nothing to worry about, there’s also information on consulting a professional if you’re concerned.

Here’s your Pantone guide to vaginal discharge.

Vaginal discharge is the medical term for fluid that comes from the vagina, and it’s an amazing thing.

It’s how your body gets rid of dead vaginal skin cells, bacteria, and secretions from your cervix and vagina to help protect your vaginal and urinary tracts from infection. It also keeps your vaginal tissues lubricated and clean.

Your hormones impact the amount and consistency of vaginal discharge, which is why you may have different amounts at certain times, like before menstruation, during pregnancy, or while using hormonal birth control.

Red or brown bloody discharge is common during menstruation. Colors might range from cherry red at the beginning of your period to rusty brown. But if you do see red throughout the month, it could be a sign of an underlying health condition, like an infection.

Reasons for red or brown discharge

Irregular menstrual cycle or spotting: Some people simply have irregular periods and spotting. Others experience spotting due to their birth control method or hormonal changes.

A variety of white shades of discharge, from eggshell to cream, can be common. Unless your discharge is accompanied by certain textures or smells, don’t fret too much.

Reasons for white discharge

Vaginal lubrication: White discharge can occur for many of the same reasons as clear discharge. It’s simply natural lubrication, keeping your vaginal tissue healthy and minimizing friction during sex.

Very light yellow discharge is more common than you might think. Sometimes the color is daffodil yellow. Other times it’s more of a greener chartreuse.

Reasons for yellow-green discharge

Diet or supplement use: This color is usually a sign of an infection, but if you know you’re probably in the clear (as in it’s a one-off occurrence), what you eat could affect the color. Some people report this color change occurring whenever they take new vitamins or try certain foods.

Pink discharge, ranging from a very light blush to the deep pink of a sunset, is often just a sign of the beginning of your cycle. But at other times, it can be a sign of a serious health problem.

Reasons for pink discharge

Sexual intercourse: Some people with vaginas may periodically experience light bleeding after penetration with fingers, a sex toy, or a penis, which can result in pink discharge.

Clear discharge, which can also be whitish, is usually OK. It may have an egg-white like consistency. It’s also the go-to discharge a healthy body expels to rebalance itself — because the vagina is a self-cleaning organ.

Reasons for clear discharge

Ovulation: Is it about day 14 of your cycle? You’re probably ovulating and producing cervical mucus.

Vaginal discharge during pregnancy: Pregnancy can also cause a change in hormones and increase how much discharge you have.

Sexual arousal: During arousal, blood vessels in that vagina dilate and fluid passes through them, causing an increase in clear, watery discharge. Totally fine.

When white turns to gray, like storm clouds or exhaust, consult a doctor or other healthcare professional (HCP). It could be a sign of bacterial vaginosis (BV), which is a common overgrowth of bacteria in people with vaginas.

Your clinician will likely prescribe antibacterial ointments or oral antibiotics.

If you’re worried about your discharge color, amount, or other symptoms, your body is pretty good at letting you know. It’ll send some pretty specific cues, like itching, pain, and burning during urination, to tell you to get a downstairs checkup.

Consult a HCP if you’re concerned about potential STI exposure or if your discharge is accompanied by these symptoms or signs:

• itching
• pain
• burning sensation during urination
• strong, foul odor
• frothy texture
• thick, cottage cheese texture
• gray color
• bleeding that’s unrelated to menstruation

What underlying conditions can affect vaginal discharge?

Sometimes these conditions can be eliminated based on your individual circumstances. Gonorrhea and chlamydia, for example, can generally be eliminated if you’ve never engaged in partnered sexual contact.

Although the chart below is a starting point, it’s always a good idea to consult a HCP if you’re unable to pinpoint a cause, or if you’re unsure of your health status.

Why does vaginal discharge smell?

Yup, healthy vaginal discharge has a smell. The smell comes from the combination of cells and organisms in it. Tack on sweat from neighboring groin glands, too.

Just like the amount of vaginal discharge secreted is dependent on hormones, so is the smell. This is why you might notice it smells different throughout the month.

Unless the smell is overly strong or unpleasant, it’s usually NBD.

If it bothers you, washing the area with warm water and changing your underwear daily can help keep the smell to a minimum.

You might not always think of it this way, but vaginal discharge is pretty amazing. Healthy discharge helps keep the vagina clean, ward off infections, and provide lubrication. It changes with your body’s needs.

It’s also important to keep in mind that a range of shades and amounts of vaginal discharge is considered typical and varies from person to person.

But your vaginal discharge is also a reflection of your overall health. If discharge occurs unexpectedly or changes significantly in color, consistency, amount, or smell, consult a HCP.

Likewise, if your discharge is accompanied by an itch or pelvic pain, it’s time to consult a clinician.

Read this article in Spanish.

Sarah Aswell is a freelance writer who lives in Missoula, Montana, with her husband and two daughters. Her writing has appeared in publications that include The New Yorker, McSweeney’s, National Lampoon, and Reductress. You can reach out to her on Twitter.

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