Yellow discharge: What it means, common causes, and how to treat it

Pale yellow discharge with no odor and no other symptoms is usually normal. But bright or dark yellow and greenish-yellow discharges aren’t typically normal, and are usually a sign that something’s wrong — especially if they are accompanied by a strong odor, itching, irritation, or discomfort [1]. Let’s take a look at the possible causes of yellow discharge — but remember, if you’re ever concerned about any color of discharge, it’s best to seek advice from your doctor or OB-GYN.

What causes yellow discharge?

You may have yellow discharge for various reasons, some of which are a normal part of the menstrual cycle — and some of which may be a sign of something more serious. Some of the most common causes of yellow discharge include:

• Your period: Sometimes you may notice that you have yellow discharge just before or during your period. This can be completely normal, and may simply be caused by your period blood mixing with cervical mucus. 
• Bacterial vaginosis: Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is an infection that happens when there’s an imbalance in the bacteria found in the vagina. It’s not a sexually transmitted infection — but it can increase your chances of developing an STI [2]. BV can have several symptoms, including yellow-green or gray discharge with an unpleasant smell [3].
• Trichomoniasis: Often called trich, this is an STI caused by the parasite trichomonas vaginalis. Symptoms include pain during sex, soreness, itchiness or swelling around the vagina, an increased amount of discharge that may also smell fishy, and yellow-green discharge [4].
• Chlamydia: Another STI, chlamydia is typically symptomless. However, some people do get symptoms that can include pain during sex, bleeding between periods, or yellowish discharge [5].
• Gonorrhea: Gonorrhea is another STI. Over half of women with gonorrhea don’t have any symptoms — but for those who do have symptoms, they may include bleeding between periods, pain when peeing, and thick yellow or green discharge [6].
• Pelvic inflammatory disease: PID is an infection affecting the female reproductive system. It’s caused by bacteria — most commonly by an STI but there are other types of bacteria that can cause it, too. Some people with PID don’t get symptoms, but for those who do experience symptoms, these can include pelvic pain, bleeding after sex, painful periods, and discharge that can be yellow, green, or smelly [7].
• Cervicitis: Cervicitis is an inflammation of the cervix. As with PID, it can be caused by STIs, or by other types of infections. Symptoms can include vaginal pain, pain when peeing, bleeding after sex, bleeding in between periods, and unusual discharge that’s yellow, gray or white [8].
• Yeast infection: A yeast infection — also known as thrush or candida — is an infection that’s caused by a fungus called candidiasis. It can cause pain when peeing, painful sex, irritation around the vulva, and whitish-yellow discharge that may have a thick consistency [9].

How to treat yellow discharge

Yellow discharge is usually easy to treat, and treatment options will vary, depending on the cause of the discharge. The two main options are antibiotics and antifungal medications:

• Antibiotics: If you have BV, gonorrhea, chlamydia, trichomoniasis, cervicitis, or PID, you’ll likely be prescribed antibiotics [20,21,22,23,24]. Always complete the full course of antibiotics, even if your symptoms start to clear up. You’ll also be advised to avoid sexual intercourse while taking antibiotics. In very severe cases of PID, surgery may be required [25].
• Antifungal medications: Antifungal medications are used to treat yeast infections like thrush. These may come in the form of a tablet, pessary, or cream. Symptoms should clear up within a week or two of using the treatment [26].

Yellow discharge and pregnancy

It’s normal to have discharge during pregnancy — and indeed, it’s normal to have more discharge than usual when you’re pregnant, especially towards the end of the third trimester. That’s because your body produces more mucus to prevent any infections from traveling from your vagina to your uterus [10]. Discharge during pregnancy is usually white or milky colored and is typically thin. In the last couple of weeks before giving birth, you may also notice streaks of thicker mucus, off-white or slightly bloody, known as the mucus plug or “the show”. This is usually a sign that your womb is preparing for birth.

However, if you have yellow discharge during pregnancy, it could be a sign of infection — possibly caused by one of the things listed above, like chlamydia, gonorrhea, BV, or PID. An infection like this during pregnancy can be serious for the mother and may carry a higher risk of miscarriage and preterm birth [11]. Sexually transmitted infections during pregnancy can also be transmitted to the baby through the placenta or birth canal, with potentially severe complications, so it’s important to speak to your doctor as soon as possible if you notice any unusual yellow discharge [12]. 

Incontinence is common in pregnancy, so it’s also easy to mistake pee for yellow discharge [13]. When you feel wet or see a yellowish spot in your underwear, it may be urine rather than discharge. Similarly, you may also mistake yellow discharge for an amniotic fluid leak. Amniotic fluid is typically a clear or pale yellow-tinged fluid that surrounds the fetus in the amniotic sac, providing cushioning and protection [14]. The sac usually breaks after labor starts — known as your water breaking. However, very rarely, you may experience amniotic fluid leaks early — which can increase the risk of complications — so it’s very important to seek advice from your doctor if you think your yellow discharge may be amniotic fluid [15].

How to prevent yellow discharge

It’s not always possible to avoid yellow discharge. For some people, it’s a normal part of their menstrual cycle. It’s a good idea to track your menstrual cycle, adding notes on symptoms like discharge. If you get to know what’s normal for you, it’ll be easier to spot if there are any changes to your discharge or if you’re experiencing unusual symptoms.

There are things you can do to reduce the risk of STIs and other infections, which are often the cause of yellow discharge:

• Use condoms: Barrier methods of birth control like condoms can help to prevent STIs, with male condoms offering 90% protection against gonorrhea and 50-90% protection against chlamydia [16].
• Washing: Wash the vulva area daily with mild, unscented soap and water. Avoid douching, as it can disrupt the natural balance of bacteria and yeast in your vagina, which could lead to BV or a yeast infection, and can also increase the chances of developing PID [17,18].
• Avoid fragranced products: Perfumed soaps, sprays, detergents, and other products can cause BV, which in turn can cause yellow discharge. Avoid using perfumed soap, bubble bath, shampoo, or shower gel to reduce the risk of infections like BV [19].

When to see a doctor

Vaginal discharge is completely normal — and “normal” can look different for everyone. But it’s important to know what your discharge usually looks like, so you can spot if there are any changes to your normal discharge pattern. 

Many people will have yellowish discharge just before their period, or if their period is shorter than normal. But if you notice the color of your discharge changes, is bright yellow or green-yellow, has a strong odor or has a thick, lumpy consistency, then it may indicate that you have an infection. You may also have other symptoms, like fever, pelvic pain, or bleeding between periods. 

If you’re concerned about the color of your discharge, then it’s always best to speak to your doctor as soon as possible. They may do some tests to establish the cause of your yellow discharge, and they’ll be able to recommend the best course of action for your situation. 

Get to know your body better

Every menstrual cycle is different — that’s why it’s so powerful to learn about what normal looks like for you. Natural Cycles allows you to track changes throughout your cycle, including discharge. That means you can learn all about your own unique cycle, helping you to better understand your own body and more quickly spot any unusual signs or symptoms.

Natural Cycles is the first app of its kind to be FDA Cleared for use as contraception. Not only can it help you learn more about the unique changes that happen during your menstrual cycle, but it can help you prevent pregnancy too! Find out how Natural Cycles works to get started.