Yellow Vaginal Discharge: Causes and Treatments

Vaginal discharge is a fluid that leaves your body to keep your vaginal canal healthy. Having discharge is a natural part of the reproductive process. Discharge occurs when the glands inside of your vagina and cervix are getting rid of old cells. It is a normal part of balancing bacteria and yeast in your vaginal canal.

Although vaginal discharge is usually white or clear, it can also appear yellow or greenish at times.

In some cases, yellow discharge can be a sign of something more serious that requires medical attention. Causes of yellow discharge include sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and bacterial infections, among others. Contact your healthcare provider if your discharge seems abnormal for you or occurs at the same time as any other unusual or uncomfortable symptoms.

Discharge keeps your vagina lubricated, protects your uterus from infections, and prevents an imbalance of harmful bacteria in your vagina. Yellow discharge is not always a sign of a health condition, but experiencing yellow discharge with other symptoms like itching and burning may be a sign of a vaginal infection.

Normal Yellow Discharge Symptoms

It’s common for vaginal discharge to vary in color, texture, and frequency. Healthy discharge is typically white, clear, yellow, or green. Sometimes, especially if you are ovulating, your discharge may be thicker or have a creamy texture. It is also common for discharge to have a slippery texture.

You may notice discharge appearing yellow after it has dried on a pad or underwear. If you start to have yellow or green discharge with an unusual odor, speak with your gynecologist (a doctor specializing in reproductive health).

Abnormal Yellow Discharge Symptoms

Abnormal discharge can be a symptom of an infection, such as an STI (sexually transmitted infection) or a yeast infection (overgrowth of the yeast Candida in your vagina). You may also notice changes in your discharge when you start menopause—a process where menstruation stops and you no longer produce reproductive hormones.

Signs of abnormal discharge include:

• Burning yellow, green, or gray discharge
• Unusual vaginal odor
• Excessive vaginal discharge
• Spotting or bleeding after intercourse
• Itchiness
• Redness
• Inflammation
• Pain while peeing

Several factors can cause yellow discharge, some harmless and some requiring treatment. The color of your discharge may change if you change your hygiene habits or have fluctuating hormones.

A Variation of Normal Vaginal Discharge

Everyone with a vagina will experience discharge. While it’s usually white or clear in color, it’s common for the discharge to be yellow, light green, or even light gray as your reproductive system goes through different phases. You may notice some inconsistency in the color of your discharge right before and after your period. Discharge may be brownish around your period if it’s mixed with blood from spotting.

Yeast Infections

A yeast infection is a fungal infection caused by an overgrowth of Candida, a type of yeast, in your vagina. People with a yeast infection may experience itching and burning. Discharge may appear thicker than usual with a cottage cheese-like texture. If left untreated, yeast infections can worsen over time.

Yeast infections are treated with antifungal medications. Common medications your gynecologist may prescribe for treatment include Diflucan (fluconazole), Lotrimin (clotrimazole), and Nystex (nystatin).

Bacterial Vaginosis

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is one of the most common vaginal infections. It occurs when you have an overgrowth of bacteria in your vagina.

Symptoms may include an excessive amount of yellow, white, or gray discharge. This discharge may be thin or watery. You may also notice a fishy odor, itching, burning, redness, and swelling in your vagina. If you have symptoms of BV, contact your gynecologist as soon as possible for treatment to prevent symptoms from worsening.

Chlamydia and Gonorrhea

Chlamydia and gonorrhea are two common sexually transmitted infections (STIs) spread through unprotected anal, oral, or vaginal sex. Yellowish discharge is a common symptom of both STIs. Other symptoms of chlamydia and gonorrhea include painful and more frequent urination, vaginal bleeding, rectal bleeding, and pain.

Trichomoniasis

Trichomoniasis is a parasitic STI and type of vaginitis—a condition that causes inflammation in your vagina. Vaginitis typically spreads through sexual contact.

In the beginning stages, you may not notice any symptoms. However, as the infection progresses, symptoms include vaginal discharge that may be heavier than usual and appear yellowish, gray, or green. You may also experience itching, vaginal odor, painful urination, and spotting after sex.

Menopause

Menopause is a natural part of the aging process where menstruation ends. There are three stages: perimenopause, menopause, and postmenopause. As you go through perimenopause and menopause, estrogen levels may drop as your body produces fewer reproductive hormones.

Lower levels of estrogen can cause vaginal thinning, dryness, and a decrease in the acidic nature of your vagina. Thinning of your vaginal walls can cause inflammation and abnormal discharge. During menopause, you may notice a yellow discharge with a thicker texture. You may also experience pain during intercourse.

Having occasional yellow discharge does not always require medical attention. Schedule an appointment with your gynecologist if you experience additional symptoms like an unusual or unpleasant odor, itchiness, burning, and redness.

A gynecologist will ask you about your medical history during your visit. They will also ask you questions about your sexual health and any symptoms you may be experiencing before examining your vagina and pelvic area.

In some cases, they may use a speculum (a medical tool used to open the vaginal walls for examination) to look into your vaginal canal and gently swab the inside of your vagina using a soft brush to collect a sample. From there, your gynecologist can send a sample of your discharge to be tested in a lab. Typically, results come back within a couple of weeks.

You may feel some discomfort while being examined. Talk to your gynecologist beforehand if you’re worried about how the exam could affect you physically or emotionally. They can suggest some accommodations to help make the experience more comfortable.

A gynecologist will create a treatment plan for you based on your diagnosis.

Bacterial infections and STDs are treated with antibiotics. Some treatments can be taken in a single dose, while others may require daily use for a specific length of time.

If you are going through menopause and experiencing vaginal dryness, your gynecologist may prescribe a vaginal moisturizer or estrogen cream.

Yeast infections are typically treated with antifungal medications. These come in various forms, including creams, oral medications, and vaginal suppositories. Your healthcare provider may recommend a combination of antifungals, depending on the severity of your infection.

Most people with a vagina experience a vaginal infection at least once in their lives. Still, there are ways to reduce your risk.

Steps you can take to reduce your risk of vaginal infections include:

• Avoiding perfumes or deodorants in your vaginal area
• Abstaining from douching (cleaning out the inside of your vagina with water or a solution)
• Washing your vulva (your external genitalia) with warm water
• Drying your vagina after bathing or swimming
• Wearing cotton underwear
• Keeping any reusable products you put into your vagina clean and hygienic

Using condoms during sex, especially with new partners, helps to prevent you from contracting an STI and from developing a yeast infection. Visit your healthcare provider right away if you feel any irritation, such as vaginal itchiness, burning, or inflammation after sex.

It’s rare to have health complications because of yellow discharge. However, an untreated STD or bacterial infection can cause pelvic inflammatory disease (an infection that affects your reproductive organs). In rare cases, infections left untreated for an extended time can lead to severe complications like infertility.

Having discharge is a normal part of your vaginal health. It can appear white, clear, yellow, green, or brown, depending on what phase you are in your cycle.

Contact your gynecologist if you are experiencing green or yellow discharge with other symptoms like itching, redness, and burning. This could be a sign of a vaginal infection. A gynecologist can help you find the cause of your symptoms and develop a treatment plan.