The short explanation
Some discharge is normal and it changes across the cycle. What is worth having checked is a change in smell, colour or amount that is new for you, or discharge that comes with itching, soreness, pain when passing urine, pain during sex, bleeding between periods, or lower abdominal pain.
What depends on your situation
The parts of this that change from woman to woman. Uncertainty is stated, not hidden.
- Common causes are treatable and none of them says anything about your character: thrush, bacterial vaginosis, and infections such as chlamydia or trichomoniasis. They are told apart by examination and testing rather than by description, and the treatments are completely different — which is why guessing and self-treating often fails.
- A strong or fishy smell, particularly after sex, most often points towards bacterial vaginosis rather than poor hygiene. Douching and vaginal washes make it more likely rather than less, and are not recommended.
- Some sexually transmitted infections cause no symptoms at all, which is why testing is offered on the basis of risk rather than only on the basis of discharge. Asking to be tested is a reasonable request and not an accusation of anything.
- Discharge with lower abdominal pain, fever or pain during sex can point to infection that has spread higher, which is treated promptly because delay affects fertility. That combination is the one not to wait on.
- In pregnancy, and after menopause, a change in discharge is assessed differently, so say which applies to you.
What this answer cannot determine
The boundary of online education. These need a clinician who can see you.
- This cannot tell you what is causing your discharge. Thrush, bacterial vaginosis and several infections can look similar and need testing to tell apart.
- This does not recommend a treatment. Treating the wrong thing is common and delays the right treatment.
- This explanation was written by AskHer's editorial team from the guidance listed under Sources. A clinician registered in India has not signed this version off yet — that is why no clinical reviewer is named at the foot of this page, and it is why nothing here is a diagnosis.
Questions for your clinician
Take these with you. You can add any of them to an appointment card.
- This is what has changed and when it started. What could it be?
- What tests would tell us which it is?
- Should I be tested for sexually transmitted infections as well?
- Does my partner need treating too?
- What should I avoid doing while we wait for results?
When to seek help
Clinician-approved guidance for this topic. When in doubt, being seen is never the wrong choice.
Get help the same day
- you have discharge with fever, severe lower abdominal pain, or pain during sex
- you are pregnant and have a change in discharge, particularly with any bleeding or fluid loss
- you have discharge and are feeling generally unwell
Book an appointment soon
- the smell, colour or amount has changed and stayed changed
- there is itching, soreness or pain passing urine with it
- you have treated yourself and it has come back
- you have had unprotected sex with a new partner
Sources
The evidence this explanation is built on.
- Vaginal discharge NHS
- Bacterial vaginosis NHS
- Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) World Health Organization
- Pelvic inflammatory disease NHS
Who wrote and reviewed this
Every AskHer answer names its author. A clinically reviewed answer also names the clinician who signed it off — if no clinician is named below, it has not been clinically reviewed.
- Author
- AskHer Editorial AskHer's editorial team — not an individual clinician Works in English, தமிழ், हिन्दी
- Clinical reviewer
- Nobody yet No clinician has signed this answer off. That is what the “Editorially reviewed” badge means, and why it does not say “Clinically reviewed”. It was written and checked by AskHer’s editorial team against the sources listed above, and it is queued for a clinician who works in this area.
- Review status
- Editorially reviewed
- Last reviewed
- Last reviewed 22 August 2026
- Version
- 1
Correction history
Substantive changes are listed, not quietly edited away.
No corrections have been made since this answer was first published.
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