Yellow Discharge: 2 OBs Share Causes, Symptoms, Treatment

Typically, vaginal discharge is a clear to white color. So it’s understandable that you might be a little thrown off if you suddenly notice you’re dealing with yellow discharge. But yellowish discharge is not necessarily the cause for immediate concern, doctors say.

When asked what yellow discharge means, Meleen Chuang, MD, clinical associate professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Family Health Centers at NYU Langone, says that “a yellowish hue can be considered normal.” But yellow discharge can also signal that something is off with your vagina, and that you may need to see your healthcare provider.

So how do you know whether yellow discharge is something to talk to your doctor about? We asked two doctors exactly that. First, a quick guide to all the things that could be behind your yellow discharge, whether you’re experiencing yellow discharge with no odor or with odor, thick yellow discharge, yellow discharge after a period, or pale yellow discharge, according to ob-gyns. Then, signs that you should do something about it.

Experts Featured in This Article

Meleen Chuang, MD, is a clinical associate professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Family Health Centers at NYU Langone.

Christine Greves, MD, is an ob-gyn at Orlando Health Women’s Institute Center for Obstetrics & Gynecology and obstetrical and gynecological surgeon at Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies.

What Does Yellow Discharge Mean?

Again, yellow discharge can be tricky. This can signal a range of potential health issues — or that you’re just fine. “It may or may not be associated with anything,” says Christine Greves, MD, ob-gyn at Orlando Health Women’s Institute Center for Obstetrics & Gynecology and obstetrical and gynecological surgeon at Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies.

If your yellow discharge is clear or slightly cloudy and you’re not itchy down there, Dr. Chuang says it’s likely nothing. But if you have other symptoms along with your discharge or this is a sudden change for you, it could signal one of a few things.

Your period is approaching.

You may notice yellow discharge when you’re a few days out from your period, Dr. Greves says. “This just means that there’s mucus mixing with early menstrual blood,” she says.

You’re having an allergic reaction to something.

Your vagina is a sensitive area, and there’s a lot that can irritate it. Having yellow discharge can signal that you’re having an allergic reaction to something, Dr. Greves says. That “something” could be a variety of culprits, but Dr. Greves says fragranced feminine products, latex, and spermicide are all potential sources of a reaction.

You have bacterial vaginosis.

Bacterial vaginosis, aka BV, is a condition that happens when there’s too much of a certain bacteria in the vagina, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). While BV can cause a white or gray vaginal discharge, it also may end up looking yellow, Dr. Chuang says.

Along with yellow discharge, you may notice pain, itching, or burning in the vagina; a strong, fish-like odor; burning while peeing, and itching around the outside of the vagina, the CDC says.

It could be trichomoniasis.

This common sexually transmitted infection usually doesn’t cause any symptoms—in fact, only about 30% of people develop signs of the illness, per the CDC. But having trichomoniasis can cause a yellowish or greenish discharge with a fishy smell, along with itching, burning, redness, and discomfort when you pee, Dr. Chuang says.

It may be gonorrhea or chlamydia.

Both gonorrhea and chlamydia can cause a “thick, yellow discharge,” Dr. Chuang says. With both gonorrhea and chlamydia, you may have no symptoms or think you have a minor urinary tract infection, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). If you do have symptoms, they can include yellow discharge, pain when you pee, vaginal bleeding between periods, and rectal bleeding and pain, the organization says.

How to Treat Yellow Discharge

Proper treatment for yellow discharge depends on what’s causing it in the first place. “If it is due to normal vaginal discharge, no treatment may be necessary,” Dr. Chuang says. “However, if it is caused by an infection or STI, medical intervention is required to prescribe appropriate medications.”

When to See a Doctor For Yellow Discharge

If this is nothing new for you — maybe you always experience a couple days of yellowish discharge just before your period begins, for instance — and you have no other symptoms, you may not need to see a doctor. But if yellow discharge is a new occurrence for you, and/or it’s accompanied by irritation, bleeding, or any other symptoms that are bothering you, it’s a good idea to book an appointment with a healthcare provider, Dr. Greves says.

“Definitely contact your doctor if you have a new sexual partner, since it could be a sign of an STI,” she adds. If your yellow discharge is linked with pain, a fever, or an odor, she also recommends contacting a doctor sooner rather than later. If you’re pregnant, Dr. Chuang suggests flagging it to a doctor as well.

Even if you don’t meet that criteria, if you have any concerns about discharge — whether it’s because of the color, consistency, or anything else — it’s still a good idea to bring it up to a medical professional. “That’s what we’re there for,” Dr. Greves says.

Korin Miller is a writer specializing in general wellness, health, and lifestyle trends. Her work has appeared in Women’s Health, Self, Health, Forbes, and more.