Why Do I Have Green Discharge? Causes and What to Do

No. Healthy discharge is usually clear, white, or off-white.[1,2] It might change in thickness throughout your cycle, but it should never be green. If you see green discharge, even if you have no other symptoms, it's worth calling your healthcare provider.

Trichomoniasis

Trichomoniasis (often called "trich") is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the world. In the US alone, about 3.7 million people have it at any given time.^[3]

Trich is caused by a tiny parasite passed through sexual contact. It's one of the most common causes of green discharge, which is often frothy or bubbly and has an unpleasant smell.^[4] You might also notice itching, burning, or soreness around the vagina. Trichomoniasis symptoms can look similar to other vaginal infections, which is why testing matters.

Here's the tricky part: many people with trich have no symptoms at all.^[2] That means you can have it and not know it. Trich can also make it easier to contract other infections, including HIV.^[3] The good news is that it's very treatable with antibiotics your doctor can prescribe—or you can screen for it at home with the Everlywell at-home Trichomoniasis Test. If you're diagnosed with trichomoniasis, your partner(s) will also need treatment to prevent reinfection.

Bacterial vaginosis (BV)

The vagina has a natural balance of good and bad bacteria. When that balance is disrupted, it can lead to an infection called bacterial vaginosis, or BV.

BV usually causes a grayish-white discharge with a fishy smell, though sometimes the abnormal discharge can appear yellow or greenish.^[5] Some people with BV have no symptoms at all, which means it can go untreated for a while without them knowing.

BV also makes it easier to contract other STIs, like gonorrhea, chlamydia, and HIV.^[5] A doctor can diagnose and treat it with antibiotics. One thing to know: BV tends to recur. More than half of people treated for it will get it again within a few months.^[6]

Gonorrhea

Gonorrhea is a bacterial STI that can cause yellow-green or cloudy discharge.^[2] Like many STIs, it often causes no symptoms at all, especially in women, which makes it easy to miss.^[7]

When symptoms do show up, they may also include pelvic pain, pain when urinating, or bleeding between periods. If left untreated, gonorrhea can spread and cause serious problems, including pelvic inflammatory disease (more on that below).^[2] A doctor can diagnose it with a simple swab test and treat it with antibiotics, or you can screen for it at home with the Everlywell Chlamydia & Gonorrhea Test.

Chlamydia

Chlamydia is the most commonly reported bacterial STI in the US. It can cause yellow or green discharge, but many people with chlamydia have no symptoms at all.^[8]

If left untreated, chlamydia can move up into the uterus and fallopian tubes, causing serious damage and making it harder to get pregnant down the road.^[9] It's easily diagnosed and treated with antibiotics. The United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends regular testing for certain populations.^[10]

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)

Pelvic inflammatory disease, or PID, is an infection that spreads from the vagina up into the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries. It's most often caused by untreated gonorrhea or chlamydia, though other bacteria can cause it too. In fact, research shows gonorrhea and chlamydia together are found in only about a quarter to a third of PID cases.^[11]

Green or yellow discharge is one of the main signs of PID. Other symptoms include pelvic pain, fever, and pain during sex.^[12] But PID can also be sneaky—sometimes it causes very mild symptoms, or none at all.^[12]

PID is serious. If untreated, it can cause scarring in the fallopian tubes, which can lead to infertility, ectopic pregnancy (a dangerous pregnancy outside the uterus), and ongoing pelvic pain.^[12] If you think you might have PID, see a doctor right away.

Aerobic vaginitis

Aerobic vaginitis is a type of vaginal infection that doesn't get talked about as much, but it affects up to 7–12% of women.^[13] It happens when certain harmful bacteria overgrow in the vagina, causing irritation and inflammation.

Unlike BV, which usually causes a thin, grayish discharge, aerobic vaginitis tends to cause a thicker yellow or green discharge, along with redness and swelling.^[13] A doctor can diagnose it by examining a sample of discharge under a microscope. Treatment depends on the cause, but may include antibiotics, a topical estrogen cream, or probiotics.^[13]

A forgotten tampon or other foreign object

This one might surprise you: a tampon left in too long, or a condom that slipped off during sex, can cause bacteria to grow in the vagina—leading to green or very foul-smelling discharge.^[1]

If you notice green discharge with an especially strong odor (particularly after your period), it's worth considering whether something may have been accidentally left inside. Research shows abnormal discharge is one of the most common symptoms when a foreign object is present in the vagina.^[14] Removing the object and, if needed, taking a short course of antibiotics usually resolves it.

During pregnancy, it's normal to have more discharge than usual. But that discharge should be white or milky, not green.[15] Green discharge during pregnancy is a sign of infection and should be checked by your doctor or midwife right away.

Any of the infections above can happen during pregnancy. Some of them, like trich and BV, have been linked to preterm birth and other complications if they're not treated.[3,15[ Don't try to diagnose or treat yourself. Call your provider as soon as you notice anything unusual.

You should call your doctor any time you notice green discharge. Don't wait to see if it goes away on its own. See someone sooner if you also have:

• A strong or fishy smell
• Itching, burning, or soreness around your vagina
• Pain in your pelvis or lower belly
• Pain when you pee or have sex
• Bleeding between periods or after sex
• Fever or chills

Your doctor will ask you some questions about what you've been noticing — like when it started, what it smells like, and whether you've had any other symptoms. They'll do a pelvic exam and take a swab of the discharge to test it in a lab.[2]

It helps to be as open and specific as you can. The more your doctor knows, the easier it is for them to figure out what's going on. There's nothing to be embarrassed about — they see this every day.

Treatment depends on what's causing the discharge. Here's a quick breakdown:

• Trichomoniasis: Antibiotics (usually metronidazole). Your partner needs to be treated too.^[3] You can screen for it at home with the Everlywell at-home Trichomoniasis Test.
• Bacterial vaginosis: Antibiotics (metronidazole or clindamycin), taken by mouth or as a vaginal gel.^[5]
• Gonorrhea: An antibiotic injection, usually paired with a pill to treat chlamydia at the same time. Your partner needs treatment too.^[2] The Everlywell Chlamydia & Gonorrhea Test screens for both from home.
• Chlamydia: Antibiotic pills. Your partner needs to be treated too.^[9]
• PID: A combination of antibiotics. Severe cases may need hospital treatment.^[12]
• Aerobic vaginitis: Antibiotics, vaginal estrogen cream, or probiotics, depending on what the test shows.^[13]
• Retained foreign object: Removal of the object, plus antibiotics if there's an infection.^[14]

Most of these infections clear up completely with the right treatment. The key is not to wait—the sooner you get treated, the lower the risk of complications.

• Use condoms consistently during sex
• Get tested for STIs regularly, even if you feel fine
• Tell your sexual partners if you test positive so they can get treated too
• Don't douche or use scented soaps inside your vagina — your vagina cleans itself
• Change tampons every 4 to 8 hours, and always make sure you've removed the last one before putting in a new one
• Wipe front to back after using the bathroom
• Wear breathable cotton underwear

If you have green discharge, the most important thing you can do is get tested. Many of the infections that cause it — like trichomoniasis, chlamydia, and gonorrhea — have no symptoms. Testing is the only way to know for sure what's going on.

Everlywell makes it easy to get answers from home. Our at-home STD test lets you collect your sample privately, mail it to a lab, and get secure results online within days — no awkward waiting rooms required.

Already have symptoms and need treatment fast? Everlywell also offers online STI treatment consultations in 2 hours or less. A licensed provider can evaluate your symptoms and send a prescription directly to your pharmacy if appropriate.

Taking care of your sexual health doesn't have to be complicated. Everlywell is here to make it simple.