Gynecology expert Valentina Milanova has warned that a change in the color of vaginal discharge can signal an infection or another underlying health condition, according to comments she gave to HuffPost.
Milanova said normal discharge is part of the body's natural defense system, but changes to it can be among the earliest signs that something is wrong.
She said yellow or green discharge can point to a sexually transmitted infection, while grey, watery discharge with an unpleasant smell is often linked to bacterial vaginosis. Pink or red discharge, she said, can appear because of irritation or bleeding.
Red discharge that appears outside of a menstrual period is sometimes linked to infection and, in rare cases, can be a sign of cervical cancer, Milanova said.
She urged women not to feel embarrassed about discussing such changes with a doctor, saying that paying closer attention to the body's signals makes it easier to see a specialist earlier and avoid more serious health problems.
What discharge changes can mean
Vaginal discharge is a normal bodily fluid produced by glands in the vagina and cervix that helps keep the vaginal environment clean and free of infection. Its color, texture and amount can vary naturally through the menstrual cycle, but a sudden change, especially alongside odor, itching or discomfort, is generally regarded by doctors as a reason to seek medical advice. Bacterial vaginosis, one of the conditions Milanova mentioned, is a common imbalance of bacteria in the vagina, while sexually transmitted infections and cervical cancer are both conditions that can sometimes be detected through changes in discharge, among other symptoms.
Earlier warning about tampons
General practitioner Nada Hassan said separately that a sharp, unpleasant vaginal odor can result from a forgotten tampon. She said this happens more often than people realize and can lead to a potentially life-threatening condition.
