SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTION SYMPTOMS: DISCHARGE FROM THE VAGINA
Most women have a clear, odorless discharge from the vagina that is perfectly normal. The amount of discharge varies from woman to woman, and it varies for most women over the course of the monthly cycle. The discharge is the normal fluid or lubrication produced by the vagina and the cervix. It can be especially noticeable during ovulation (when an egg is released from an ovary), which occurs in menstruating women during the middle of the cycle (halfway between the periods). Normal discharge is usually clear to white, and it is not accompanied by odor, itching, or pain in the genital area. As a woman ages, the amount of normal discharge may change.
Discharge from the vagina may be a sign of infection, however, so if there is any question about whether the discharge is normal, it is a good idea to see a health care provider for evaluation. The most common infections that can cause a vaginal discharge are described below.
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