6 types of vaginal discharge and what they can tell you.

Image: iStock.

Let’s just put it out there: vaginal discharge is a bit of a sticky subject.

Awful puns aside, while most adult women experience discharge we rarely want to hear, read, or talk about it. The word alone is enough to make people squirm.

Today we’re going there, because it’s important for women to be able to look at their undies and know what’s healthy and what requires medical attention. As with almost anything, the appearance and volume of discharge can vary greatly from one woman to the next, but here’s a general guide.

Types of discharge

1. Clear mucus

According to Dr Dasha Fielder of Sapphire Family Medical Practice in Bondi Junction, it’s common to experience a little more discharge than usual around the middle of your cycle (days 12-16) when you’re ovulating.

“A ‘normal’ discharge should not have an unpleasant odour, and it should generally look like a clear mucus,” she explains.

For some women, it might be slightly ‘milkier’ in colour. Particularly if you’re not using the Pill, you might also find this secretion has a stretchy or stringy consistency, which isn’t a cause for concern — Dr Fielder says this is a sign of ovulation and will usually last just a few days.

If you’re using a form of hormonal contraception, you generally shouldn’t notice any major variation in your discharge throughout your cycle.

2. Yellow or green, thick

Some women naturally have a yellowish tinge to their discharge, which might be perfectly normal for them. However, if yours is usually clear and changes colour and takes on a noticeably thicker consistency, Dr Fielder says it could signal a health issue.

What's your vagina telling you?

"Discharge that’s associated with infections would be yellow or green, and usually a smell is associated with it. Some women describe it as a sort of fishy smell," she says. Vaginal infections are often accompanied by other symptoms like itching or burning.

Dr Fielder adds that as vaginas are not sterile environments, it's perfectly normal to have organisms down there. "When it becomes problematic is when that particular bacteria or fungus multiplies many, many times and starts causing us symptoms," she says.

3. Breakthrough bleeding

There are a number of possible causes for spotting between your periods — it could signal pregnancy, your body's adjustment to a new contraceptive Pill, or an underlying health condition. Regardless, it's worth having a chat to your doctor.

"I always say, if you see any blood coming from any parts of your body and it's not associated with menstruation you should check it out," Dr Fielder says.

4. Greyish and watery

Watery, frothy discharge that's either grey or white in colour and has a distinct or 'fishy' odour is a common sign of bacterial vaginosis. However, around half of women with this condition won't experience any symptoms at all. (Post continues after gallery.)

Popular forms of birth control

Contraceptive pillThe Pillis the most popular form of birth control. There are two types: the combined pill, containing two hormones, and theprogestogen-only, or mini, pill, which only contains one female hormone. The combined pill works by preventing the ovary from releasing an egg each month. The mini pill changes the mucus at the entrance of the uterus, which stops sperm from entering. Both are 99.7% effective; however, they don't offer protection from STDs.

Intrauterine deviceIUDs are small, T-shaped devices that are inserted into the uterus by a doctor in order to prevent pregnancy. There are two types of IUD: copper, which affects the movement and survival of sperm in the womb while changing the lining of the womb;and hormonal, which releases progestogen (a synthetic version of the naturally-occurring hormone progesterone) into the uterus. Although IUDs have a success rate of more than 99%, only around 2% of Australian women currently use one.

CondomsThe male condom is a barrier contraception that prevents both pregnancy and the transmission of STDs. They work by collecting semen so it doesn't enter theman's partner's body. Condoms are 95 to 99% effective at preventing pregnancy.

The female condomThe female condom is a pre-lubricated sheath, which loosely fits inside of the vagina. The condom has a removable ring, which helps to insert the sheath and keep the condom in place. A larger ring remains on the outside to cover the opening of the vagina. They are designed to fit all women and can only to be used once. Due to misuse of the product it is only 79 per cent effective.

DiaphragmLike the male condom, the diaphragm is a barrier method of contraception. It's a shallow silicone dome that's inserted into the vagina andcovers the cervix, which is the entrance to the uterus. It's held in place by the pelvic muscles, and works by preventing sperm from entering the uterus. After sex, diaphragms need to remain in placefor another six hours, in which time the sperm inside the vagina die. This method is 88 to 94% effective at preventing pregnancy, although this rate increases with experience.

Birth control implantThis is a 4cm-longimplant that is inserted into a woman's upper arm, just under the skin, by a doctor. It releases a hormone called etonogestrel, which prevents ovulation and thickens the mucus in the cervix, which can stop sperm from entering. Contraceptive implants - usually sold as Implanon - are removed under anaesthetic every three years, and are close to 100% effective.

Vaginal ringVaginal rings are soft plastic rings that contain the same two hormones as the combined pill - oestrogen and progestogen. The ring is inserted into the vagina, where the hormones are absorbed into the body and then prevent the ovaries from releasing eggs. Once inside the ring can't be felt, and it needs replacing every three weeks (with one week's break in between). When used correctly, this method is more than 99% effective.

Depo ProveraDepo is a long lasting hormonal injection. The synthetic form of progesterone is administered every 12 to 14 weeks to woman, preventing pregnancy within this ongoing time period. The injection, which is given in the buttock or muscle of the upper arm, prevents ovulation and thickens the mucus in the cervix, helping to block sperm. The injections are 99 per cent effective but do not protect against STDs. Male contraceptive injections are currently being trialled

The morning after pillEmergency contraception (popularly referred to as the morning after pill) is used to prevent a pregnancy following unprotected sex. Other reasons include missing a contraceptive pill or a condom breaking. It is common in Australia to use the progestogen-only method. This entails a dosage of EC pills containing progestogen or the synthetic version. A doctor can prescribe the pill or they can be bought over the counter at a pharmacy without a prescription. Emergency contraceptionis 85 per cent effective in reducing the risk of pregnancy.

SterilisationSterilisation is a permanent form of contraception. For women there are two types of sterilisation: tubal ligation, in which clips are placed on the fallopian tubes, or tubal occlusion in which a device is inserted into the tubes. These methods work by preventing the sperm from reaching the egg. Tubal litigation is 99.5 per cent effective. The Vasectomy (for men) works by cutting and blocking the tubes called the vas deferens, preventing sperm from leaving the testicles. The chances of impregnation with a vasectomy are 1 in 1000.

5. Dark brown or red

It can be disconcerting to find dark brown marks in your undies, but it's not necessarily a bad sign. "You’ve got to be careful that you’re not confusing it with the end or beginning of your period. Usually a dark discharge means old blood," Dr Fielder says.

However, it's definitely uncommon to experience this throughout the rest of your cycle.

"A particularly important test would be to make sure you have a pap smear that’s up to date, because usually blood would be coming up the cervix and we'd want to check that it's healthy," Dr Fielder explains. (Post continues after video.)

6 types of vaginal discharge and what they can tell you about your health.