Vaginal discharge

Vaginal discharge is nothing to worry about if it’s:

odourless (no unpleasant smell) clear or white thick and sticky slippery and wet

The amount of discharge you might experience can vary. You might experience heavier or more frequent discharge if you’re:

pregnant sexually active using contraception, such as the contraceptive pill

During ovulation, you’ll notice more slippery and wet discharge, which is normal.

Contact your GP or sexual health service if: You have vaginal discharge and: you experience pelvic pain you’re bleeding between periods or after sex you experience pain when peeing you feel itchy, sore or have blisters your vaginal discharge changes in colour, smell or texture

You should look out for anything that doesn’t seem normal for you. This can include discharge which is:

foul-smelling thick and white (like cottage cheese) green or yellow and frothy accompanied by pain or bleeding accompanied by itchiness, blister or sores

STIs that can cause vaginal discharge include:

chlamydia gonorrhoea genital herpes trichomonas

If you’re sexually active and you experience any abnormal discharge, contact your local sexual health clinic to get tested for STIs.

Vaginal discharge can also be caused by thrush or bacterial vaginosis.

You might be asked to visit your local sexual health clinic for a vaginal examination to ensure you get the correct treatment.


odourless (no unpleasant smell) clear or white thick and sticky slippery and wet

The amount of discharge you might experience can vary. You might experience heavier or more frequent discharge if you’re:

pregnant sexually active using contraception, such as the contraceptive pill

During ovulation, you’ll notice more slippery and wet discharge, which is normal.

Contact your GP or sexual health service if: You have vaginal discharge and: you experience pelvic pain you’re bleeding between periods or after sex you experience pain when peeing you feel itchy, sore or have blisters your vaginal discharge changes in colour, smell or texture

You should look out for anything that doesn’t seem normal for you. This can include discharge which is:

foul-smelling thick and white (like cottage cheese) green or yellow and frothy accompanied by pain or bleeding accompanied by itchiness, blister or sores

STIs that can cause vaginal discharge include:

chlamydia gonorrhoea genital herpes trichomonas

If you’re sexually active and you experience any abnormal discharge, contact your local sexual health clinic to get tested for STIs.

Vaginal discharge can also be caused by thrush or bacterial vaginosis.

You might be asked to visit your local sexual health clinic for a vaginal examination to ensure you get the correct treatment.


pregnant sexually active using contraception, such as the contraceptive pill

During ovulation, you’ll notice more slippery and wet discharge, which is normal.

Contact your GP or sexual health service if: You have vaginal discharge and: you experience pelvic pain you’re bleeding between periods or after sex you experience pain when peeing you feel itchy, sore or have blisters your vaginal discharge changes in colour, smell or texture

You should look out for anything that doesn’t seem normal for you. This can include discharge which is:

foul-smelling thick and white (like cottage cheese) green or yellow and frothy accompanied by pain or bleeding accompanied by itchiness, blister or sores

STIs that can cause vaginal discharge include:

chlamydia gonorrhoea genital herpes trichomonas

If you’re sexually active and you experience any abnormal discharge, contact your local sexual health clinic to get tested for STIs.

Vaginal discharge can also be caused by thrush or bacterial vaginosis.

You might be asked to visit your local sexual health clinic for a vaginal examination to ensure you get the correct treatment.