Types of Abnormal Discharge and Their Possible Causes

Type of Discharge What It Might Mean Other Symptoms

Bloody or brown Irregular menstrual
cycles, or less often,
cervical or endometrial
cancer
Abnormal vaginal
bleeding, pelvic pain
Cloudy or yellow Gonorrhea Bleeding between
periods, urinary
incontinence
Frothy, yellow or
greenish with a bad
smell
Trichomoniasis Pain and itching while
urinating
Pink Shedding of the uterine
lining
after childbirth (lochia)

Thick, white, cheesy Yeast infection Swelling and pain
around the vulva,
itching, painful sexual
intercourse
White, gray, or yellow
with fishy odor
Bacterial vaginosis Itching or burning,
redness and swelling
of the vagina or vulva