There are a number of infections that cause vaginal discharge to change or become unpleasant smelling. Many of these infections can be caused by having sex with someone who has the infection VSports在线直播.
Vaginal yeast infections happen when a specific fungus (candida) grows out of control in your vagina. It produces a thick, white, cottage cheese-like vaginal discharge. Your vagina may swell and be itchy, and sex may be painful. Antifungal medications treat a yeast infection.
Trichomoniasis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) you get from having sex with an infected person. A parasite causes trichomoniasis. It makes your vaginal discharge green, yellow or gray and bubbly or frothy. It’s treated with antibiotics.
Bacterial vaginosis occurs when there’s too much of a certain bacteria in your vagina. It can be transmitted through sexual contact but not always. People with BV have white or gray discharge that’s foul-smelling and fishy. It’s treated with antibiotics.
Chlamydia and gonorrhea are two common STIs you can get from having sex with an infected person. Both infections are treated with antibiotics from your healthcare provider. Some people with these infections have cloudy, yellow or green vaginal discharge. If left untreated, the infection may spread, causing pelvic inflammatory disease with pelvic pain.
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Vaginal discharge is not always caused by an infection. Changes in the normal balance of healthy bacteria in your vagina and sexual excitement can also cause vaginal discharge.
Other things that can cause discharge include:
It’s normal to have some amount of discharge every day. You can’t prevent it because it’s your body’s way of keeping your vagina clean and healthy. If you’re worried about too much discharge, wear a panty liner to help absorb the fluid.
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It’s normal to see an increase in the amount of vaginal discharge during pregnancy. This is to prevent infections from traveling up into your uterus. Increased levels of progesterone can also make you produce more discharge. You should contact your pregnancy care provider if you notice changes in vaginal discharge during pregnancy.
There could be several reasons your vaginal discharge smells. If you notice an unpleasant or strong “fishy” odor to your vaginal discharge, it could be a sign of an infection.
Healthcare providers do not yet know all of the reasons why people get vaginal infections. They do know that some types are spread by having sex with an infected person. You might have a higher risk of getting infections if you:
Your vaginal discharge might be a sign of an infection if it:
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No. You shouldn’t douche to get rid of vaginal discharge. Douching can upset the natural balance of organisms in your body. Douching can also lead to infection. Normal vaginal discharge isn’t unclean or unhealthy. It’s a normal way for your body to discard fluid and old cells.
Using mild soap and water to gently clean your vulvar area once daily should be enough to keep your vagina clean. Your vagina naturally keeps itself clean with the help of certain healthy bacteria. These bacteria keep your vagina acidic, which prevents microorganisms and fungus from growing out of control.
Other tips for keeping your vagina clean include:
You should see your healthcare provider if:
Having vaginal discharge is normal. It’s your vagina’s way of staying clean and healthy. Signs of irregular discharge include a change in the color, amount, consistency and smell of what you typically experience. Your normal discharge may change throughout your menstrual cycle. Contact your healthcare provider if you have other changes in your discharge or if it’s coupled with other symptoms like pain or itching. You shouldn’t use sprays, perfumes or douches to improve the smell of your vagina.
Your Ob/Gyn is there for you throughout many different parts of your life. At Cleveland Clinic, our experts can help you throughout your entire journey.
Last reviewed on 07/22/2022.
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