Having vaginal discharge is common but seeing an unexpected color can be unsettling and have you wondering, "does this need to be checked out?"

The good news is that vaginal discharge can present in many different colors and still be normal. Discharge is produced to keep your vagina clean, moist, and protected from infections.

So even if everything is okay "down there," it doesn't hurt to understand what different colors mean. It is also essential to consider other symptoms like odor, itching, and burning to recognize better when a follow-up visit with your healthcare provider.

So, here is a simple color guide to finally help you decode your vaginal discharge.

A Color Guide to Vaginal Discharge

White/Creamy Discharge

Having milky white or cream-colored discharge that doesn't have a scent is usually normal. However, you may notice a change in the amount and consistency throughout the month; heavier before ovulation and little to no discharge after your period. It is also common to see an increase of thin odorless milky or creamy colored discharge early in pregnancy.

Discharge that is thick, white, and looks like cottage cheese may signal a yeast infection. You may also experience swelling, burning, soreness, or other symptoms. You should schedule an appointment for further testing if you have any of these symptoms.

Yellow /Green Discharge

If your discharge is odorless, pale, or light-yellow, and you don't have any other symptoms, it may be normal.

The appearance of bright yellow or green vaginal discharge with an odor might signal an infection like gonorrhea or chlamydia. These sexually transmitted infections (STI) are treatable with the right medicine, so be sure to follow up with your healthcare provider right away.

A strong-smelling, green-yellow, frothy discharge may indicate an infection called trichomoniasis. This is a very common and treatable STI with proper care.

Pink vaginal discharge

You may notice a light or a darker pink-colored discharge at the beginning or end of your period or right after you ovulate, and that's okay.

A pink hue can also be a sign of implantation bleeding in early pregnancy when a fertilized egg attaches to your uterus lining. This is common and nothing and nothing to worry about.

Pink discharge is possible a few hours after having sex, especially with rough sex or if you were not completely lubricated. If the bleeding doesn't happen often and your Pap test and STI screening results are normal, you don't need to worry.

The presence of heavy watery, pink, or bloody vaginal discharge with a foul odor (and other symptoms like pelvic pain, pain during sex, or bleeding between periods) may signal a more serious health concern like cervical cancer. These symptoms may also be caused by conditions other than cervical cancer, but take a trip to see your doctor for further testing.

Red/Brown Discharge

If you are using birth control, you may notice red or dark brown discharge between periods, particularly within the first six months after starting a hormonal method. In most cases, this bleeding is harmless and will ease up as your body adjust to the new hormones.

Brown discharge may also be present right before or after your period when your flow is still very light.

Gray Discharge

The presence of a thin, gray discharge with a fishy smell might mean that you have an infection called bacterial vaginosis (BV). BV is caused by the overgrowth of bacteria naturally found in the vagina

It is also common to also experience symptoms like:

· Itching

· Irritation, and

· Redness around the vulva or vaginal opening

BV is common and can be treated with antibiotics, so make a plan to see your healthcare provider

Clear Discharge

Clear, stretchy, and jelly-like vaginal discharge (the consistency of egg whites) may appear in the middle of your cycle. This is a sign that you're ovulating, and nothing you need to worry about.

You may also see clear, wet, and slippery discharge when you are sexually aroused. This is because the glands in your vagina are working hard to get your vagina lubricated and ready for intercourse! This is expected and isn't usually cause for concern.

When to worry about vaginal discharge

Vaginal discharge is expected, so don't fret! However, you should contact your doctor if you notice any change in your discharge's usual consistency, color, odor, or are experiencing other symptoms like vaginal itching, irritation, or pain.

Any unusual symptoms may indicate an infection, a sexually transmitted disease, or another condition. Be sure to talk with your healthcare provider if you have any discharge or other symptoms that don't seem normal for you.

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Janelle King is a Registered Nurse with a Master of Public Health. She has written articles for Sisters from AARP, The Body: The HIV/AIDS Resource, Modern Fertility, among many others, and featured in Women's Day Magazine. You can find her writing about reproductive health and wellness in her blog The Nurse Notein her spare time. Follow her on Facebook and Instagram @thenursenote.

Is This Normal? How to Decode Vaginal Discharge