What is green discharge?
Vaginal discharge is a normal part of life for most people. It is mucus or fluid that helps keep the vagina clean and protect it from infection.
Green discharge is usually an indication of an infection in your body. It can be yellow-green, but some people have a brighter green or yellow discharge.
The amount of discharge you get varies depending on the individual and what is happening in your life. For example, if you are using birth control or pregnant, you might notice changes in your vaginal discharge.
Normal vaginal discharge is usually:
- white or clear
- wet and slippery
- thick and sticky
- without a strong smell
If you have green discharge, it is common to see a thinner yellow discharge to start with, which becomes more mucus-like and yellow-green. If it is not treated, the discharge can become thick with a much brighter green colour and an unpleasant smell.
The type of infection which causes green discharge is commonly a sexually transmitted infection (STI) though there can be other causes such as a forgotten tampon. Changes to the colour of your discharge can also be caused by gynaecological cancers or an ectopic pregnancy so it’s always important to contact a doctor quickly if you notice green vaginal discharge.