Vaginal Discharge Color Guide: Meanings & Red Flags

Key takeaways:

• Most vaginal discharges, normal or abnormal, have a consistent thickness, color, and volume.
• The normal or physiologic vaginal discharge is thin, clear to filmy or milky white, and should not be associated with any unpleasant symptoms (burning, itching, pain, discoloration, or offensive smell).
• Some abnormal or pathologic vaginal discharges can run a full range of symptoms and discolorations, but some may show no noticeable color changes at all.

Judging the characteristics of a vaginal discharge can be very subjective. Everyone has different notions of volume, thickness, and discoloration. Everyone sees colors slightly differently, and gradual changes in your vaginal discharge may be imperceptible day to day.

Certainly, unpleasant symptoms associated with vaginal discharge are a warning sign that something abnormal is happening. Such symptoms present as important red flags requiring proper medical evaluation. Even in the absence of symptoms, the color of a vaginal discharge can raise a red flag, giving clues to its cause.

Vaginal discharge colors and their meanings

Even without symptoms, when a normal clear, filmy, or milky-white discharge changes colors, it’s usually a sign of some abnormal change, such as an infection or other worrisome condition. Invasions of your normal vaginal environment with living infectious agents pit their physiologies against your own, altering the quality of your vaginal discharge.

Clear discharge

Clear vaginal discharge is a rational starting point in understanding how the colors of a vaginal discharge can signal a deviation from the normal. Your vagina has secretory glands that produce moisture, and the cervix has mucus glands, all of which contribute to normal vaginal wetness. An increase in vaginal discharge, known as leukorrhea, is typically a normal phenomenon. However, when these systems become infected, off-colored discharge may result.

An infection may present as a change in your vaginal discharge. When an infection changes your vaginal discharge, the colors can help identify specific causes, ultimately guiding treatment. This becomes important when there is suspicion of a sexually transmitted infection (STI), such as Trichomonas, gonorrhea or Chlamydia.

Gray vaginal discharge

A gray vaginal discharge can occur around ovulation, when there is more mucus contribution to the normal leukorrhea. This is merely a change in viscosity (thickness). However, a discharge can change to gray when any other type of infection is just beginning. Therefore, it is helpful to pay attention to any vaginal changes, even before there are other symptoms.

White vaginal discharge

White vaginal discharge may just reflect the concentration of your normal leukorrhea, which can range from clear to milky white. Without symptoms or a suspicious odor, it is probably normal. Itching may indicate a yeast infection.

Yellow vaginal discharge

A yellow vaginal discharge may be:

• Normal in the absence of symptoms or unpleasant odor.
• Due to a vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D is important for immune function and supporting your body’s natural defenses. A vitamin D deficiency may make you prone to bacterial vaginosis. It may also cause vaginal cells to turn over more quickly, falling away into the vagina and collecting as a discharge.
• Bacterial vaginosis (BV) can produce a yellow to green vaginal discharge, sometimes gray, with or without symptoms of burning or itching. It happens when the normal helpful bacteria of the vagina, lactobacilli, decrease in number. BV can arise as a sexually transmitted infection (STI) or even without sexual contact, such as with a condition called aerobic vaginitis.
• Urine collecting in the vagina from incontinence. However, this would be rare, despite the urethra’s position near the top of the vaginal opening. The discharge would be very watery and have a characteristic urine smell, suggesting it is not one of the usual suspects of vaginal infection.

Orange vaginal discharge

Orange vaginal discharge usually represents a mixture of red blood cells with a vaginal discharge, especially if the discharge is yellow. This makes a strong case for an infection that has inflammation of the cervix (cervicitis) accompanying it.

Pink vaginal discharge

Like orange discoloration, a pink vaginal discharge implies mixing of blood with either your normal white discharge (leukorrhea) or cervicitis that accompanies infection.

Signs of pink vaginal discharge that is associated with normal white discharge (leukorrhea):

• Before your period starts, you may have some minimal leakage of blood, creating a slight pink tinge.
• Irregular cycles or hormonal imbalances can cause the lining of your uterus (womb) to shed other than during a monthly period.
• Blood clots from your period may collect in your vagina and may liquefy as the plasma component separates from the red blood cells. Plasma has an amber color but, mixed with any red blood cells, could present as pink or orange.
• With early pregnancy, implantation bleeding, threatened miscarriage, or an ectopic pregnancy.
• With later pregnancy, preterm labor, early labor, or placental problems.
• Hormonal changes that can cause cervicitis in the absence of infection, such as erosion or benign polyps (overgrowth of tissue).

Pink vaginal discharge that is associated with an abnormal discharge is usually from bleeding due to cervicitis, which accompanies an infection. Some signs to look for:

• Yeast vaginitis, which typically is associated with a white, cream cheese-like, itchy, or burning discharge. When pink, it could simply be what will become the more obvious discharge in its initial stages.
• Bacterial vaginosis. A pink vaginal discharge is not typical, because the inflammation of BV is typically minimal or negligible.
• The STI, Trichomonas, is an infection of the protozoan parasite. It typically causes a frothy, bubbly, and green discharge. When pink, it could simply be what will become the more obvious discharge in its initial stages.

Red or bloody vaginal discharge

Like pink discharge, a red or bloody discharge means blood in the vagina—just more of it. Besides the different hues from pink to bright red, indicating the amount of blood mixed in, the age of the blood can cause it to become discolored over time as the iron pigment is lost.

Brown vaginal discharge

A brown vaginal discharge means the blood has aged.

Black vaginal discharge

A black vaginal discharge is also a sign of old blood, but may indicate a more sinister process, such as the death or necrosis of vaginal or uterine tissue from a serious infection.

It must be emphasized that any vaginal discharge mixed with blood could be a red flag for cancer or pre-cancerous changes, which are especially worrisome in menopausal women. Also, any cervicitis may not be evident until the mechanical act of intercourse traumatizes inflamed cervical cells, causing you to see bleeding afterward.

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

Causes of vaginal discharge color changes

Aside from pregnancy changes described above, there is considerable overlap in the types of colors and their causes. The accepted generalizations below are a reliable guide on what is occuring, all of which require proper medical evaluation.

Yeast vaginitis

• White. Yeast typically results in a thicker, cream cheese-like, very itchy white discharge.

Bacterial vaginosis (BV)

• Off-white or gray
• Yellow
• Green

Discharge caused by BV may have no accompanying symptoms. Most BV discharge will present as gray or yellow. It is often accompanied by a “fishy” odor and possible burning with urination. It can also be frothy.

Aerobic vaginitis

• Yellow. The discharge is associated with a “fishy” odor and painful intercourse.
• Pink. If there is cervicitis with microscopic bleeding.

Despite the most scrupulous hygiene, the rectum’s proximity to your vagina can allow rectal bacteria to enter and grow there.

Bacterial infection

• White, when there is pus.
• Yellow, when there is pus.
• Green.
• Red or brown, with bleeding from cervicitis.
• Black, when there is old blood or tissue destruction.

A bacterial infection can produce a very foul odor.

When to see a doctor about vaginal discharge

You should see your doctor whenever you notice a change in your vaginal discharge from what is expected.

You should see a doctor if a vaginal discharge is:

• Bloody (except during your period)
• Discolored pink (except right before your period), red, brown, black, yellow, gray, or green.
• A cream cheese-like consistency.
• Bubbly or frothy.
• Associated with a “fishy,” offensive, or very foul odor. Note that the vagina has a natural odor, but it should not be unpleasant.
• Associated with burning, itching, or pain.

You should go to the emergency room when you have:

• Fever.
• Pelvic, abdominal, or back pain.
• Nausea or dizziness.
• Painful urination or bowel movements.
• Heavy bleeding is continuous.

Questions to ask your doctor about vaginal discharge

Questions you should ask your doctor include:

• Is this normal, hormonal, or an infection?
• How will you ensure a correct diagnosis and, if indicated, successful treatment?
• Should my partner be included?
• What if I’m pregnant or might be?

Frequently asked questions: vaginal discharge colors

Here are some frequently asked questions you may find helpful:

What vaginal discharge colors are normal and what colors are considered abnormal?

• Milky white without symptoms is normal. Pink-tinged before your period can be normal.
• Green, yellow, gray, red, brown, or black are abnormal, as are any colors with unpleasant symptoms.

When should you see a doctor If you have an abnormal vaginal discharge color?

An abnormal discharge should be evaluated as soon as possible, even in the emergency room if a regular office visit isn’t possible in a timely manner.

Colors of vaginal secretions—in summary

The most important thing to remember is that there is considerable overlap among the different conditions and infections that cause a vaginal discharge to change color. But you can’t go wrong seeing your doctor if you notice any unexpected change in your vaginal discharge or if you have any uncomfortable vaginal symptoms.

Itching, burning, painful intercourse or urination, evidence of bleeding (red, brown, black), or a foul odor require proper medical evaluation and a correct diagnosis to get the right treatment. This becomes crucial with STIs, where your ability to have babies or even your life may be in jeopardy.

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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