# Vaginal Discharge: What Is Normal and When to See a Gynecologist > Every woman has vaginal discharge, and most often it is normal. Here is how it looks different with an infection: color, smell, itching, blood, and when to book a gynecologist or get urgent care. ## When to see a doctor urgently - Discharge with blood and a missed period, or with lower abdominal pain - Discharge with a fever, chills or severe lower abdominal pain - Bloody discharge after menopause - Heavy discharge with a strong unpleasant smell - Yellow or green foamy discharge with pain during sex or urination - Watery discharge during pregnancy - Sores or blisters in the genital area - Discharge in a girl before her periods have started If you have any of these signs, call 112 or go to emergency care. ## Which doctor to see - Gynecologist: https://bigmed.ge/en/doctors/gynecologist ## Which vaginal discharge is normal The vagina constantly releases a small amount of fluid that cleans it and keeps its environment healthy. Normal discharge is clear or white, can be thick and sticky or slippery and wet, and has no strong smell. How much there is and how it looks changes over the cycle, in pregnancy, with sexual activity and with hormonal medicines. There is usually more before a period and in the middle of the cycle. The question arises when there is clearly more than usual, the color, smell or texture changes, or itching, burning, pain or blood appears. ## White, curd-like discharge with itching Thick white discharge like cottage cheese, with itching and redness around the vagina, is most often thrush (candidiasis). It is a fungal infection that often appears after antibiotics or when immunity is low. But the same itching has other causes, such as irritation. For more on itching, see [Itching](https://bigmed.ge/en/symptoms/itching). To avoid treating the wrong thing, see a gynecologist first, especially if it is the first time. ## Discharge with an unpleasant smell Thin gray-white discharge with a fishy smell, especially stronger after sex, is typical of bacterial vaginosis. It is an imbalance of the vaginal bacteria, not necessarily a sexually transmitted infection, but it needs treatment, and a doctor should confirm it. ## Yellow or green, foamy discharge Yellow-green, foamy or pus-like discharge, especially with a smell, itching, or pain when urinating or during sex, can be a sign of a sexually transmitted infection such as trichomoniasis, chlamydia or gonorrhea. For similar complaints when urinating, see [Painful urination](https://bigmed.ge/en/symptoms/painful-urination). Many of these infections cause few signs, so with a new partner or any suspicion, it is better to be tested. Some viral infections, such as [human papillomavirus](https://bigmed.ge/en/diseases/hpv), usually cause no discharge but are found on examination and tests. ## Bloody and brown discharge Brown or bloody spotting between periods, after sex or after menopause is always a reason to see a gynecologist. If it comes with a missed period and lower abdominal pain, do not put off a visit: it may be related to pregnancy, including an ectopic one. For pain, see [Abdominal pain](https://bigmed.ge/en/symptoms/abdominal-pain), and for a missed period, [Irregular periods](https://bigmed.ge/en/symptoms/irregular-periods). ## Discharge in pregnancy and in girls In pregnancy there is usually more discharge, and it stays light and odorless. If itching, a smell or a color change appears, and especially blood or a watery fluid, see the doctor who is following your pregnancy. Girls before their first periods usually have no discharge, and any discharge, especially with a smell or blood, should be shown to a pediatrician or gynecologist. ## What you can do before the visit - Wash with warm water, with a mild unscented soap if you like, and only on the outside. - Do not douche or use scented gels, deodorants or wipes for the intimate area: they irritate the lining. - Do not treat yourself with thrush products if the complaint is new: similar symptoms come from other causes. - Wear underwear made of breathable fabric and change daily liners. - Avoid sex until an exam if there is pain, burning or a suspected infection. - Note when the discharge began, how it looks, whether there is a smell, itching or pain, and the date of your last period. ## How a doctor looks for the cause The doctor asks about the cycle, partners and pregnancy, examines the cervix with a speculum and takes a swab for the vaginal flora. If needed, tests for sexually transmitted infections and a pelvic ultrasound are ordered. Treatment depends on the cause: for an infection, suitable medicine is prescribed, and sometimes a partner needs treatment too. ## Doctors - Marika Otkhozoria - Doctor of Medicine — Gynecologist: https://bigmed.ge/en/doctors/bachana-eliava (markdown: https://bigmed.ge/en/doctors/bachana-eliava.md) - Ia Machavariani — Obstetrician-Gynecologist, Gynecologist: https://bigmed.ge/en/doctors/ia-macavariani (markdown: https://bigmed.ge/en/doctors/ia-macavariani.md) - Diana Janjghava — Obstetrician-Gynecologist, Gynecologist: https://bigmed.ge/en/doctors/diana-janjghava (markdown: https://bigmed.ge/en/doctors/diana-janjghava.md) - Alla Burenko — Gynecologist: https://bigmed.ge/en/doctors/alla-burenko (markdown: https://bigmed.ge/en/doctors/alla-burenko.md) - Ofeliya Kocharyan — Obstetrician-Gynecologist, Gynecologist, Gynecologist-Endocrinologist: https://bigmed.ge/en/doctors/ofelia-kocaran (markdown: https://bigmed.ge/en/doctors/ofelia-kocaran.md) - Dariia Fedoruk — Obstetrician-Gynecologist, Gynecologist: https://bigmed.ge/en/doctors/dariia-fedoruk (markdown: https://bigmed.ge/en/doctors/dariia-fedoruk.md) ## Frequently asked questions ### Which vaginal discharge is normal? Clear or white, without a strong smell, itching or pain. The amount changes over the cycle, in pregnancy and with hormonal medicines. ### Which doctor should I see for discharge? A gynecologist. If the discharge has blood, lower abdominal pain, a fever or appears in pregnancy, do not put off the visit, and with severe pain or fainting call 112. ### Can I treat thrush myself? If you have had this diagnosis before and the symptoms are the same, a doctor can tell you how to proceed. If the complaint is new or does not go away, get examined: similar symptoms come from other infections. ### Why is there a fishy-smelling discharge? Most often it is bacterial vaginosis, an imbalance of the vaginal bacteria. A gynecologist confirms it by exam and a swab, so hold off on treating it yourself. ## Possible Causes - Human papillomavirus (HPV): https://bigmed.ge/en/diseases/hpv --- Canonical: https://bigmed.ge/en/symptoms/vaginal-discharge Country: Georgia (GE), the country in the South Caucasus Updated: 2026-10-04T21:13:52+04:00