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Vaginal Symptoms

Symptoms Covered in this Topic

  • Vaginal symptoms include discharge, bleeding and pain.
  • Vulva symptoms include itching, pain and pain when passing urine.
  • Genital area skin symptoms include itching, pain, rash and swelling.

Vaginal Discharge: Normal versus Abnormal

  • A clear or whitish discharge is normal. It may increase and contain more mucus around the middle of your menstrual cycle when you ovulate. This is normal.
  • Two small glands (pea like structures) at the entrance to the vagina also produce clear mucus to help lubricate the vagina and keep the lining healthy.
  • Yellow or green vaginal discharge can mean an infection.
  • A bad-smelling discharge is also not normal.
  • An abnormal discharge can also cause a genital rash.

Causes of Abnormal Vaginal Discharge and/or Itching

  • Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) can be passed from either the female or male partner. They may also cause pain with passing urine, pelvic pain, and bleeding.
    • Gonorrhea
    • Trichomonas
    • Genital Herpes
    • See the STI Exposure care guide for more information.
  • Vaginitis often causes vaginal discharge and itching. It can be caused by an irritation or an infection, such as:
    • Yeast infection
    • Candidiasis
    • Trichomonas
    • Bacterial vaginosis (white-gray discharge, fishy odor).
  • Vaginal Foreign Objects(such as a forgotten tampon) can cause an infection and discharge.
  • Cervical Polyps are small fleshy growths which may cause vaginal discharge and/or vaginal bleeding and spotting.
  • Cervical or Uterine Cancer can cause discharge, but there are often other symptoms, such as pain and vaginal bleeding.
  • Bartholin's Cyst or Abscess. The Bartholin's glands produce clear mucus which helps keep the vagina healthy. If the gland gets blocked, it can swell and become a cyst. You may feel this as a small lump at the entrance of the vagina. The cyst may burst and cause vaginal discharge. The cyst can also become infected, causing severe pain and sometimes pus.

Causes of Abnormal Vaginal Bleeding(also see Vaginal Bleeding care guide)

  • Hormone Changes
  • Cervical Polyps
  • Cervical Cancer
  • Uterine Cancer
  • Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)
  • Fibroids
  • Endometriosis
  • Peri-menopausal Bleeding
  • Post-menopausal Bleeding (serious)

Other Health Problems that Cause Vaginal Symptoms

  • Dyspareunia (pain during sex)
  • Vulvar Cancer
  • Vulvar Pain