The amount and consistency of discharge changes throughout your menstrual cycle. It can go from thin and watery to thick. Sometimes you may have a little and other times a lot. Every woman’s body is different. A normal amount of discharge for you may not be normal for someone else. You should pay attention to your discharge so that you can gauge what is normal for you. [2] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source

Other common vaginal infections are non-infectious vaginitis (caused by an allergic reaction or irritation from certain products) and sexually transmitted infections such as chlamydia,[5] X Trustworthy Source MedlinePlus Collection of medical information sourced from the US National Library of Medicine Go to source gonorrhea,[6] X Trustworthy Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services Go to source herpes simplex virus,[7] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source or trichomoniasis. [8] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source

If you notice a fishy smell in your vagina, it is probably bacterial vaginosis. [10] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source If you have discharge that looks like cottage cheese, you may have a yeast infection. [11] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source Abnormal discharge is also may be a sign that you have chlamydia or gonorrhea. [12] X Trustworthy Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services Go to source [13] X Trustworthy Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services Go to source Greenish, frothy discharge is common with trichomoniasis.

Pain during sex is also an indicator of a possible vaginal infection. [16] X Trustworthy Source Johns Hopkins Medicine Official resource database of the world-leading Johns Hopkins Hospital Go to source

You should be prepared to tell your doctor the color, smell, and consistency of your discharge, the amount of time you have been experiencing symptoms, and any products (i. e. detergent, perfume, vaginal sprays, spermicides, or douches) that you have been using. Detailed information will help your doctor diagnose you. Your doctor may do a gynecological exam after you talk about your symptoms. They also may take a sample of your discharge or urine to test for an infection. [18] X Research source About 90% of vaginal infections can be cured within two weeks or less. Untreated vaginal infections can last for years and can lead to infertility and pelvic inflammatory disease. [19] X Research source [20] X Trustworthy Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services Go to source There are over the counter treatments for yeast infections. You should visit your doctor before you try a treatment. For example, if you take Monistat to treat a yeast infection when you really have bacterial vaginosis, your symptoms will not get any better.

You should not douche, use a tampon, have sex, or use any medicine or cream in your vagina two days before your visit. The exam should not take more than 10 minutes. [22] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source If you are sexually active, you should ask your doctor to screen you for sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Many people do not experience symptoms when they have some STIs such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, and HPV. Yearly screening will help with identifying and treating these infections before they have any lasting effects. [23] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source You should use condoms if you are sexually active. This can prevent your partner from passing a STI to you. You should still get tested regularly even if you use condoms. [24] X Trustworthy Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services Go to source

When you are on your period, you should change your tampons and pads regularly. Make sure your non-cotton underwear, leggings, workout gear, and pantyhose have a cotton panel in the crotch area

Wash the area around your vagina with plain, unscented soaps and rinse with plenty of water. [27] X Research source You should not douche, use feminine sprays, or scented tampons. These can upset the natural bacterial balance of your vagina and cause irritation. Remember your vagina is self-cleaning. [28] X Research source