What Does Yellow Discharge Mean? Common Causes

What’s considered normal vaginal discharge?
When yellow discharge is considered normal
Other causes for yellow discharge
Yellow discharge during pregnancy
When to see a doctor for yellow discharge
Yellow discharge FAQ

We all know that it’s normal to have vaginal discharge. But what happens if that discharge is a color other than white or clear? 

In this article, we will be focusing on yellow discharge, including when it’s normal, when it’s not normal, and when you should seek advice from your doctor. 

What’s considered normal vaginal discharge?

Normal vaginal discharge, often referred to as “leukorrhea”, is clear, white, off-white, or pale or light yellow in color. It will not have a strong smell, and it can vary in consistency and volume throughout the menstrual cycle. 

Discharge is not considered normal if it undergoes a change in color or texture, and if it is also accompanied by other symptoms such as itchiness, pelvic pain, painful urination, or a foul-smelling odor.  

When yellow discharge is considered normal

It is possible for discharge to appear yellow in color. Here are a few cases where experiencing yellow discharge is completely normal. 

Before your period

In the days before your period, it is common for discharge to become creamier and stickier than normal. Alongside this change in texture, it’s normal for discharge at this time to appear light or pale yellow in color.

After your period

Towards the end of your period, you may notice that your period blood begins to lighten or change in color from red to brown. During this transition, it is also possible to see discharge that is a light brown or brownish-yellow. 

 

Other causes for yellow discharge

While it may be normal to see yellow discharge around the time of your period, there are cases where yellow discharge is not normal. Here is a look at a few underlying causes of abnormal discharge and what you can do about it. 

Yeast infection

Yellow, white, or off-white discharge that is thick, clumpy, and heavier than normal may be a sign of a yeast infection (also known as vaginal candidiasis or vulvo-vaginal candidiasis). 

Although yeast infections can cause uncomfortable symptoms, they are not necessarily cause for serious concern. You may even be surprised to learn that they’re actually quite common, with an estimated 3 in 4 women experiencing a vaginal yeast infection at least once during their lifetime. 

Symptoms

In addition to the yellowish, white, or off-white color, yeast infections are also often accompanied by the following symptoms:

• Thick, creamy texture that resembles cottage cheese
• Itching, burning, swelling, and/or redness around the vulva and vagina
• A painful, burning sensation during intercourse and urination

It’s important to note that according to the CDC, nearly 20% of yeast infections do not cause any symptoms at all. This is important to be aware of if you are trying to conceive, because while yeast infections do not cause infertility directly, an imbalance in pH levels may make it more difficult for your partner’s sperm to not only survive inside the vagina, but also reach an egg in the uterine tube. 

Treatment

To treat a yeast infection, doctors often recommend starting with over-the-counter creams, suppositories, and tablets. In severe cases, prescription-strength medication may be necessary. Additionally, maintaining good vaginal hygiene, avoiding tight clothes, peeing after sex, and using chemical-free feminine products will help to reduce your risk of developing a yeast infection. 

Trichomoniasis

Another potential cause of yellow discharge is trichomoniasis. Trichomoniasis, often called “trich”, is a type of sexually transmitted infection (STI) that can be passed along during intercourse. 

Trichomoniasis can cause frustrating and painful symptoms, and it may also increase your risk of contracting other sexually transmitted infections. 

Symptoms

In addition to yellow and yellowish-green discharge, trich can also cause the following symptoms: 

• Painful urination and sex
• Itchiness or burning sensation around the vagina and vulva
• Increased volume of discharge that may be thin or “frothy” in texture
• Foul-smelling odor

However, bear in mind that only 30% of individuals with trichomoniasis experience symptoms, which is why it’s important to have regular check-ups at your doctor if you are sexually active. 

Treatment

Treatment of trichomoniasis often involves antibiotics. The best way to prevent trichomoniasis is to use latex condoms when having sex.

STIs

In addition to trichomoniasis, there are a number of other STIs that can cause yellow discharge. STIs are simply infections that are passed along among sexual partners, the most common of which include: 

• Chlamydia
• Gonorrhea
• Genital warts
• Genital herpes
• Human papillomavirus (HPV)
• Scabies
• Syphilis
• Trichomoniasis

If left untreated, STIs can be potentially dangerous to you and your partner. For example, chlamydia and gonorrhea may lead to infertility, and others can lead to cancer or other serious health problems. 

Symptoms

In addition to yellow or yellowish-green discharge, other common symptoms of STIs include:

• Painful urination or intercourse
• Lumps, growths, blisters, sores, or rashes around the vagina and anus
• Vaginal bleeding

If you frequently have unprotected sex, it’s a good idea to have regular STI tests at your doctor’s office. This is because certain STIs, such as trichomoniasis, may not cause any physical symptoms. 

Treatment

Unfortunately, some STIs like herpes simplex virus, human papillomavirus (HPV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) cannot be cured. Other STIs can easily be treated with antibiotics if caught early enough. Treatment will vary depending on the type of STI that you have, so always speak with your doctor if you think you may have an STI. 

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

Yellow discharge is also a known symptom of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which is when there exists an infection throughout a woman’s reproductive organs. PID occurs when certain STIs (such as gonorrhea and chlamydia) are left untreated. 

PID is a serious condition and leads to fertility problems in approximately 1 out of every 8 cases. 

Symptoms

In addition to yellow, yellowish-green, and green discharge, PID can also cause the following symptoms:

• Painful urination or intercourse
• Burning sensation during urination or intercourse
• Bleeding during or after sex
• Spotting between periods
• Lower abdominal or pelvic pain
• Fever and chills

 

Treatment

If diagnosed early, it is possible to cure PID with antibiotics, and in rare cases, it may require a hospital visit. However, bear in mind that treatment will not reverse any existing damage made from the original STI. It can however prevent further damage from occurring. 

The best way to prevent the development of PID is to never miss an annual pelvic exam and make sure to undergo STI testing if you are sexually active. This will help your doctor catch and cure any potentially harmful STIs early on before they become severe.  

Yellow discharge during pregnancy

It is also possible to experience yellow discharge during pregnancy. Here is a look at when it’s considered normal and abnormal. 

Normal yellow discharge (leukorrhea)

During pregnancy, you may notice that your body is producing more discharge than before. This is completely normal and it’s common for discharge during pregnancy to have a clear, white, milky-white, off-white, or pale yellow color. In terms of texture, it can vary throughout pregnancy, but oftentimes has a thicker and creamier texture than before pregnancy. 

Abnormal yellow discharge

If your pregnancy discharge is yellow, dark yellow, or yellowish-green, this is considered abnormal and could be a sign of infection. It is common to get yeast infections during pregnancy, however, it is also possible to get sexually transmitted infections (STI’s) during pregnancy as well, such as chlamydia, herpes, HIV, and trichomoniasis. 

STIs can be harmful to your pregnancy and developing fetus, so it’s a good idea to speak with your doctor if you are experiencing abnormal yellow discharge during pregnancy. 

When to see a doctor for yellow discharge

You should seek advice from a doctor if your yellow discharge is also accompanied by any of the following symptoms:

• Foul-smelling odor
• Itchiness or soreness in or around the vagina
• Pelvic pain
• Pain during urination or sex
• Increase in volume of discharge 
• Change in consistency of discharge to a texture resembling cottage cheese

Yellow discharge FAQs