7 Causes of Increased Vaginal Discharge Explained

Key takeaways:

• Your vagina is naturally moist tissue due to secretions from vaginal glands and mucus glands of the cervix.
• These secretions can be stimulated by hormones and altered in volume and consistency by medications, pregnancy, or infections.
• The volume and consistency should change throughout your menstrual cycle, but you should not experience unpleasant symptoms, blood, or foul odors.

People with vaginas have glands consisting of paired Skene’s glands, paired Bartholin glands, and mucus glands of the cervix. These all create a normal vaginal discharge. Increased vaginal discharge can occur due to ovulation, hormones, pregnancy, medications and contraceptives, sexual arousal, and menopause.

However, since the vagina has external exposure, it can develop infections that change the discharge into an abnormal one. As such, an increase in the volume, consistency, and color of vaginal discharge are all clues as to the type of infection that can be identified with proper medical evaluation.

Is it normal for vaginal discharge to increase?

Yes, it can be normal to experience increases in vaginal discharge. Your menstrual cycle is a hormonally driven process that repeats itself each month unless pregnancy occurs. It is a continual change that can sometimes lead to more or less vaginal discharge than you’re used to at other points in your cycle.

Here’s a look at how discharge volume can change throughout your cycle:

• Days 1-7: Menstruation. Your discharge is a mixture of blood and tissue debris from the shedding of the uterine lining.
• Days 5-14: Estrogenic Phase. As your period ends, your vaginal discharge increases, sometimes going from clear to filmy. This is due to a rise in estrogen levels, which causes uterine tissues to rebuild in preparation for ovulation.
• Days 10-14: Ovulation. During this time, vaginal discharge may also increase and resemble the consistency of egg whites.
• Days 14-28: Progestational Phase. As the body produces progesterone to mature uterine tissue after ovulation, it can cause your discharge to thicken and take on a milky white color.

Abnormal vs. normal increased vaginal discharge

Increased vaginal discharge by itself is not abnormal. In some cases, though, it can be a sign of an underlying condition.

Normal increase in vaginal discharge

Other than the above changes due to hormones, other normal increased vaginal discharge can occur due to:

• Arousal. Sexual stimulation increases the production of fluids and lubrication from your Skene’s and Bartholin glands.
• Contraception. Birth control pills prevent ovulation by a steady input of estrogen and progesterone. This can create a change in your normal vaginal discharge ranging from scant to heavy, clear to milky white, or thick and mucusy.
• Medications. Some antidepressants alter serotonin and other brain neurotransmitters, which can affect your hormones and your discharge.
• Breastfeeding. Estrogen and progesterone decline during breastfeeding, which can cause a clear, watery vaginal discharge similar to what happens in menopause.

Abnormal increase in vaginal discharge

Abnormal increased vaginal discharge can be due to bacterial vaginosis (BV), yeast, inflammation from harsh chemicals used for hygiene, and infection, including sexually transmitted infections (STIs). These conditions require a proper medical evaluation.

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

Causes of increased vaginal discharge

When there is an increase in the volume of your vaginal discharge or it has characteristics to which you’re not accustomed, an infection might be the cause.

1. Bacterial vaginosis (BV)

BV may or may not be due to a sexually acquired infection. BV is an imbalance of your vagina’s normal bacteria, specifically the helpful lactobacilli. It often has a discharge that is gray or white and bubbly or frothy. There might be itching, a fish-like smell, and burning with urination.

2. Aerobic vaginitis

This is an inflammation of the vagina from bacteria from your rectum. Its discharge can be yellow, sticky, and have a fishy odor.

3. Yeast vaginitis

While yeast can be sexually acquired, it is usually not. Douching can lead to a yeast infection. Diabetes can make yeast infections more frequent. Its discharge can burn or itch and can be thick and white, like cream cheese.

4. Bacterial infections

Other bacterial infections, especially gonorrhea and chlamydia, can create a green or dark discharge with a foul smell. Chlamydia may have no symptoms, emphasizing the importance of regular checkups and practicing safe sex. These infections can jeopardize fertility and, in severe cases, be life-threatening.

5. Trichomoniasis

This is another sexually acquired infection. It causes a green discharge that is frothy and can have a fish-like odor.

6. Foreign body

A forgotten tampon or lost condom can offer a site for bacteria to grow, causing a green, dark, or pus-like discharge with a foul smell. Rarely, it can lead to toxic shock syndrome, which is life-threatening.

7. Pregnancy

A doctor should evaluate any changes in discharge that occur while you are pregnant. In later pregnancy, an increased vaginal discharge could be leakage of amniotic fluid, which is an emergency.

How to get relief from increased vaginal discharge

Successful treatment of increased vaginal discharge, when appropriate, depends on an accurate diagnosis. In the meantime, here are some tips you can implement yourself:

Abstain from sex during treatment

Sex is a mechanical intrusion into your vagina, with irritation and friction that can traumatize already-inflamed tissue. Such trauma can delay the ultimate healing of delicate tissues.

Avoid feminine hygiene products and soaps with fragrance

Let your vagina heal on its own. Any products to lessen what you perceive as a smell of a discharge are usually harsh chemicals that can further irritate the tissues and delay healing. Tub baths with bubble baths or soaps can cause further irritation.

Self-care tips when being treated for an abnormal increased vaginal discharge

The following tips are helpful all the time—not simply when you have an infection.

• Minimize the use of hot tubs or whirlpool baths.
• Wash your vagina and anus with a non-deodorant soap.
• After rinsing, dry the affected areas gently but completely. Use unscented tampons or pads. Avoid powders.
• Wear loose-fitting clothing and cotton underwear; avoid wearing pantyhose.
• Wipe from front to back after you finish using the toilet.
• Practice safe sex with effective barriers (avoid spermicides).

Ask your doctor before using alternative supplemental treatments

Before using over-the-counter products, ask your doctor if you should. Only lactobacilli suppositories and yogurt have shown possible improvement for BV in conjunction with antibiotics.

When you should see a doctor about increased vaginal discharge

You should see a doctor for any increased discharge that you’re not sure is normal or comes with other symptoms. Some symptoms, however, signal the need for an emergency room visit.

You should see a doctor if:

You notice an increase in vaginal discharge and:

• You notice any bleeding other than with your period.
• The increase in discharge is different from the usual increases you see from time to time.
• The discharge is discolored, smells foul, burns, itches, or causes pain.
• You have painful sex, urination, or bowel movements.
• It’s associated with irregular cycles or comes after menopause.

You should go to the emergency room if:

You experience the above symptoms, and you:

• Have a fever.
• Are pregnant or might be.
• Have pelvic, back, or intercourse-related pain.
• Experience nausea.
• Have painful urination or bowel movements.
• Notice pus in your discharge.

Questions to ask your doctor about increased vaginal discharge

• Is my increased vaginal discharge normal, hormonal, or an infection?
• Can I take any over-the-counter medications?
• Should I inform sexual partners about my symptoms?
• What if I’m pregnant or plan to be?

How a doctor may help treat increased vaginal discharge

Effective treatment of increased vaginal discharge hinges on a proper diagnosis. Here are a few ways a doctor may help you understand and address your symptoms:

Change of medications or hormones

If an increased vaginal discharge is due to a hormone imbalance, birth control pills can help. If you’re already on contraceptives, your doctor might recommend changing them or using another method.

Anti-fungal medication

For fungal infections, like yeast infections, your doctor may prescribe suppositories, creams, or pills.

Antibiotics

Antibiotics are essential in treating STIs and may be helpful in treating BV.

Re-establish the microbiome

For bacterial vaginosis, non-medical remedies might include lactobacilli cultures via suppository or yogurt. However, these should not take the place of antibiotics.

Frequently asked questions: increased vaginal discharge

The following questions often arise among patients with increased vaginal discharge.

Is it normal to have an increase in vaginal discharge as you get older?

As you approach menopause, shifts in hormones can become unpredictable, causing an increase in discharge. Also, medication prescribed for age-related medical conditions may affect your discharge. The risk of diabetes rises with age and, with it, increased discharge.

Does polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) cause increased vaginal discharge?

PCOS involves alterations in hormones that can affect both vaginal secretions and cervical mucus, but research is sparse. The vaginal secretions follow alterations in estrogen, making a discharge heavier and thicker. The alteration in mucus, however, primarily involves fertility and not the volume of your discharge.

The bottom line on increased vaginal discharge

While increased vaginal discharge is not necessarily normal, its cause can be benign (such as hormones or medication). Sometimes, though, it can be caused by infections, which often require prescription medication. If you want to be certain about the cause, please see a trusted doctor.

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. Lane Thaut, DO.

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