• Occasional Yellow Discharge During Pregnancy
• Clear Yellow Discharge

Breast pain in right breast, pinching feeling, burning and itching occasional yellow discharge and lumpy feeling in breast and big lump on top of of breast? Paul Velt answered 42 years experience Diagnostic Radiology. Yellow discharge is usually nothing to worry about. Yellow discharge is usually a small amount of blood mixed in with your cervical fluid or the result of small fluctuations in your hormonal balance. It can arise as a result of our normal bodily functions or it can be linked to more worrying but common health issues. Many women have light yellow vaginal discharge instead of whitish or clear discharge while some experience it during early pregnancy, or right before their period starts. In the last case (before period), the light yellow discharge no smell may be accompanied by itchiness and soreness of the vulva, which both go away once the period starts. Dec 18, 2018 Causes of Brown and Yellow Vaginal Discharge Common and Usually Harmless. The cause of yellowish or brown vaginal discharge is often a common and usually harmless. Bacterial Vaginosis. An array of usually harmless bacteria are normally present in the vagina. If something upsets the. “A gray-colored vaginal discharge is indicative of bacterial vaginosis, or BV.” 3. When you see a vaginal discharge that is darker yellow to green in color, the most likely culprit is a sexually transmitted disease, or STD. If there is an odor and your discharge is quite thick, this is further indication you may have picked up.

One of women’s most common gynecological complaints is about vaginal discharge. With dozens of commercials for “feminine hygiene products,” vaginal discharge can make you feel like a social outcast. What you probably don’t know is that most women deal with discharge: during pregnancy, before period, but most notably on a day-to-day basis.

However, most women are too embarrassed to clearly speak to their doctor about discharge, which can often have a host of undesirable results. The amount of discharge usually varies from woman to woman, as do consistency and color. In most cases, vaginal discharge appears a clear or white liquid that has either a thin or thick consistency, depending on the time in your menstrual cycle. But is light yellow discharge normal?

Light Yellow Vaginal Discharge: When Is It Normal?

To cut a long story short, light yellow discharge is normal only as long as there is no odor, itchiness, redness or soreness of the vulva. Many women have light yellow vaginal discharge instead of whitish or clear discharge while some experience it during early pregnancy, or right before their period starts. In the last case (before period), the light yellow discharge no smell may be accompanied by itchiness and soreness of the vulva, which both go away once the period starts.

The consistency of the discharge varies depending on the time in your menstrual cycle. After the period ends, you will notice that the discharge is thick and white. Towards the middle of your menstrual cycle, the vaginal mucus will turn clear and liquid, with a consistency that is very similar to uncooked egg white. As your period approaches, the discharge will become white and thick again, and even slightly yellow.

When Is Light Yellow Discharge a Reason of Concern?

If your vaginal mucus is usually clear or whitish, a change in color may be a reason of concern if accompanied by itchiness, redness, soreness, abdominal pain, and even blood stains. In most cases, light yellow vaginal discharge with odor is a symptom of vaginitis, a term that describes vaginal infections – literally, “vaginitis” means inflammation of the vagina.
The key to vaginitis is the vaginal flora, which consists of microscopic organisms, such as bacteria and yeast, which are beneficial and naturally grow in the vagina. These organisms need a certain level of acidity, moisture and estrogen to function properly, and when this balance is upset, vaginitis may result. Apart from light yellow vaginal discharge, vaginitis might also cause itchiness, soreness, redness, as well as a smelly vagina, which has a foul fishy odor.

Occasional Yellow Discharge During Pregnancy

So, You Have Vaginitis – Now What?

Clear Yellow Discharge

If you experience any of the symptoms mentioned above except for the yellow vaginal discharge, you should see a doctor immediately. She will take a sample of the discharge to determine the underlying cause of the vaginitis, and even do a Pap test to exclude cervical cancer. If you aren’t suffering from yeast infection, your doctor will likely prescribe antibiotics to help restore a normal balance of the vaginal flora, fight the bacteria, and get your discharge back to normal.
Keep in mind that light yellow vaginal mucus may also be associated with early pregnancy. If you experience it while pregnant (specifically after the 37th week), then no treatment will be required.

Vaginal discharge is normal – most women and girls get it. It's a fluid or mucus that keeps the vagina clean and moist, and protects it from infection.

Check if your vaginal discharge is normal

Vaginal discharge is not usually anything to worry about if it:

• does not have a strong or unpleasant smell
• is clear or white
• is thick and sticky
• is slippery and wet

You can get vaginal discharge at any age.

The amount of discharge varies. You usually get heavier discharge during pregnancy, if you're sexually active or if you're using birth control. It's often slippery and wet for a few days between your periods (when you ovulate).

When vaginal discharge can be a sign of an infection

If your discharge changes – for example, in smell, colour or texture – it might be a sign of an infection. But do not self-diagnose – see a GP if you're worried.

• your vaginal discharge changes colour, smell or texture
• you produce more discharge than usual
• you feel itchy or sore
• you bleed between periods or after sex
• you get pain when peeing
• you get pain in the area between your tummy and thighs (pelvic pain)

Sexual health clinics can help with abnormal discharge

Sexual health clinics treat problems with the genitals and urine system.

Many sexual health clinics offer a walk-in service, where you do not need an appointment. They'll often get test results quicker than GP surgeries.

Things you can do to help with vaginal discharge

You cannot prevent vaginal discharge.

Panty liners can help with heavy or excessive discharge or if you're worried about any smell. But do not use them all of the time because they can cause irritation.

To help avoid irritation, soreness or dryness:

Do

• wash the skin around your vagina gently using plain water

Don’t

• do not use perfumed or non-perfumed soaps or gels

• do not use deodorants or scented hygiene wipes

• do not wash inside your vagina (douche)

Page last reviewed: 25 January 2021
Next review due: 25 January 2024