The vagina is a complicated and dynamic ecosystem. It contains a lot of bacteria and moisture, and it’s sensitive to internal and external changes. Fluid made by glands in the cervix and vaginal opening and fluid made by vaginal walls carry away dead cells and bacteria to help keep the vagina clean. This fluid is called vaginal discharge.
Everyone’s body makes a different amount of discharge. Exercise, birth control pills, and stress can all cause changes in discharge too.
You may occasionally notice a change in the color, amount, or odor of your vaginal discharge. Does this mean you have an infection? Not necessarily. There are lots of types of vaginal discharge. Some are normal, and others may indicate a problem.
Check out this article for answers to common questions about normal and abnormal vaginal discharge.