5 At-Home Remedies for Excess or Abnormal Vaginal Discharge

Key takeaways:

• Vaginal discharge that seems excessive or abnormal may be a sign of infection and could require medical treatment.
• For normal discharge not associated with infection, at-home remedies and lifestyle changes like breathable clothing can help.
• You are your body’s best expert, but an evaluation is sometimes necessary to diagnose the cause of unusual discharge.

Vaginal discharge is a normal result of healthy biological processes. Unfortunately, the media and society have spread expectations of vaginal health that are often unrealistic and even harmful.

As a result, some people may worry that their normal discharge is actually a sign of infection, even when it isn’t. Regardless, at-home remedies for excess or abnormal discharge may help you manage your symptoms and discomfort. Still, it’s important to recognize when discharge changes may be a sign of infection and when to seek the advice of a medical professional.

Can you treat vaginal discharge at home?

You can manage healthy vaginal discharge that makes you uncomfortable at home. However, discharge that comes with unpleasant symptoms or an odor may be a sign of infection and require medical treatment. While it might be tempting to avoid the hassle of seeing a doctor, any discharge that is not what you’re accustomed to should be evaluated by a medical professional.

The same goes for odor. Vaginas have a natural odor, at times more noticeable than others, but it shouldn’t stand out as unpleasant. Symptoms such as itching, burning, and pain also require a correct diagnosis and proper treatment to resolve.

That being said, some infections might be treatable at home. For example, a yeast infection won’t necessarily jeopardize your overall health, and you can purchase medications to treat one over-the-counter. If you’ve already been diagnosed correctly in the past and the same symptoms emerge again, you can try a home remedy, so long as you keep your provider informed.

Read our guides on vaginal discharge colors and types of vaginal discharge for more.

Natural at-home treatments or lifestyle adjustments for stopping vaginal discharge

If you are experiencing vaginal discharge that is not associated with an infection but still causes discomfort, you can make some changes to your lifestyle that may help. However, the only time you should rely on home remedies for abnormal discharge is under the approval of a medical professional.

1. Wear breathable clothing

You can help reduce the amount of discharge you manage by wearing lightweight, breathable undergarments and clothing. Cotton is a great choice, as it’s naturally good at wicking away moisture and keeping your skin dry and cool.

It’s also wise to avoid wearing tight clothing that traps heat and moisture. Also, be sure to change out of wet or sweaty clothing quickly.

2. Avoid douching or “feminine hygiene” products

Stay away from douches, scented washes, or other “feminine hygiene” products that promise to fight vaginal odor with chemicals or fragrances.

In general, don’t put any hygiene products inside your vagina. You can use warm water and, if necessary, a gentle, unscented cleanser to clean your vulva (the area outside your vagina), but nothing should go inside.

3. Change menstrual products regularly

Avoid leaving tampons in for longer than recommended, as they can be a breeding ground for bacteria that can disrupt your natural vaginal flora.

4. Use protection during intercourse

Protect your pH levels by using condoms during intercourse. Even if you’re not placing anything into your vaginal, other forms of protection – like dental dams – can also keep you safe from sexually transmitted infections (STIs), which may also cause unusual discharge.

5. Natural supplements

Some supplements and natural substances may help promote optimal vaginal health and reduce the likelihood of unusual discharge.

Flavonoids, for example, are antifungal compounds found in honey. Besides being antifungal, honey is also an antioxidant with anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. A medical-grade honey formulation (L-Mesitran Soft) has stronger antifungal activity than raw honey.

Over-the-counter medication for stopping vaginal discharge

Natural secretions and lubricants are part of normal and healthy bodily functions. However, when treating recurrent infections, after confirming the diagnosis with your doctor, the following over-the-counter medications may be useful:

Antifungals

Over-the-counter (OTC) antifungals are available at many pharmacies and drug stores. They’re effective treatments for infections caused by fungus, such as yeast infections. A pharmacist or healthcare provider can help you make the right choice.

• Miconazole
• Clotrimazole
• Tioconazole
• Garlic or thyme, usually combined in a vaginal cream

Antibacterials

For unusual discharge caused by bacterial infections like bacterial vaginosis, your doctor may recommend using over-the-counter treatments alongside prescription antibiotics. Boric acid suppositories, for example, work to acidify the vagina, helping restore it to a healthy balance and disrupting the biofilm that unhealthy bacteria rely on.

Another option that can promote a healthy balance of bacteria is probiotics or prebiotics. Probiotics are supplements with live cultures of bacteria that your body needs to stay healthy. Prebiotics, on the other hand, are “food” for these probiotics. Taking both together may help you keep your vaginal health in top shape.

• Oral probiotics: You can take lactobacillus by mouth in place of vaginal suppositories. They likely pass to the rectum and colonize the vagina nearby. To be effective, probiotics must be able to survive the harsh environment of the stomach.
• Probiotic suppositories: Cultures inserted into the vagina via suppositories to re-establish lactobacilli in the vaginal bacterial ecosystem.
• Synbiotics: These are a combination of pre- and probiotics.

Vaginal moisturizers

In cases where discharge concerns arise during menopause, vaginal moisturizing creams and suppositories can be useful.

Aloe vaginal cream can often treat atrophic vaginitis. High molecular weight hyaluronic acid is effective for menopausal vulvovaginal dryness, either alone or combined with lactic acid in vaginal suppositories.

When to see a doctor about vaginal discharge

If you experience sudden changes in your vaginal discharge or are unsure if your symptoms are normal, it’s best to consult a medical professional. The same applies if your discharge comes with other symptoms, like itching, burning, pain, or a strong odor.

You should see a doctor if:

You experience vaginal discharge that is:

• Different from what you normally experience or expect, particularly if it appears after intercourse
• Accompanied by other symptoms, such as bleeding, cramping, burning, itching, pain, or a bad odor
• Frothy, bubbly, or foamy
• Yellow, gray, red, brown, green, or black
• During menopause or pregnancy

You should go to the emergency room if:

Your vaginal discharge is accompanied by:

• A fever
• Heavy bleeding
• Pelvic, back, or abdominal pain
• Nausea or vomiting

Questions to ask your doctor about any vaginal discharge

• Is my vaginal discharge normal or a sign of infection?
• Can I manage my symptoms safely at home?
• Should I inform my partner of the evaluation or diagnosis?
• Should I be worried if I’m pregnant, might be pregnant, or concerned about my fertility?

How a doctor can help treat vaginal discharge

With any new type of discharge, if it is an infection, your doctor may want to treat it before you resort to at-home options. If your discharge is the result of another condition, like menopause, your doctor may recommend long-term treatment options to help you manage your symptoms.

Antifungals

Antifungal medications for treating yeast come as suppositories, creams, or pills. The vaginal preparations are usually prescription-strength versions of over-the-counter miconazole, clotrimazole, or tioconazole. Other prescription-strength oral antifungals also have the advantage of clearing your rectum, helping prevent recurring infections.

Antibiotics

These are for vaginal infections that cannot be treated with home remedies, such as bacterial vaginosis and STIs like trichomoniasis, gonorrhea, or chlamydia.

Hormones

This is a replacement therapy for atrophic vaginitis in menopause. A doctor can provide a prescription for estrogen in the form of a cream, suppository, patch, pill, or gel.

Frequently asked questions: home remedies for vaginal discharge

If you’re uncertain about a vaginal discharge you’re experiencing, here are some common questions that may arise:

Can you get rid of vaginal discharge overnight or in 24 hours or less?

Sometimes, but even prescription medication may take 24-48 hours before you notice results. At-home remedies will take longer since you’re waiting for normal biological processes to re-establish.

What should you do if your vaginal discharge is accompanied by burning or a bad odor?

See your provider without fail, as these symptoms are abnormal and point to an infection that requires medical care.

The bottom line on self-treating a vaginal discharge

While it might seem like a hassle, you should always have your provider check out any sudden changes in vaginal discharge. After that, if there is no serious risk, you may be able to treat your symptoms at home. Likewise, if your vaginal discharge is normal but causes discomfort, you can make lifestyle changes that may help reduce the amount of discharge you manage and promote good vaginal health.

General Medicine follows a strict editorial process, including using real experts to write our articles, vetted primary sources, fact-checking, a secondary medical review, and updates as necessary. This article was medically reviewed and fact checked by Dr. Pallabi Sanyal-Dey, MD.

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