To keep the vagina clean, discharge is not only normal- it’s necessary. However, orange discharge can be a sign of an underlying medical condition.
Specifically, it can be a sign of vaginitis, or an infection of the vagina.
While these infections are relatively easy to treat, their symptoms can be annoying. In this article, we’ll talk about this cause as well as a few others.
Orange Discharge – Overview
As we mentioned, the most common cause of orange discharge is vaginitis. The color of the discharge can range from a dark, rusty orange to a bright, fluorescent orange.
The shade will vary from woman to woman, as well as the stage of your menstrual cycle that you’re in. In most cases, it’s the result of a bacterial infection.
You will need to consult your doctor so that they can put you on antibiotics. The discharge may also have a foul odor to it, which provides even more evidence that it is an infection.
What Else Could It Be?
One question that you should be asking yourself is, “Is there blood present?”. At the end of your period, you may see discharge that’s brown- or rust-colored.
A lot of women describe it as having an orange tint to it. Either way, it’s a normal and common occurrence.
If it happens at the end of your period, then chances are it will go away in a few days. It’s simply your body at the end of its menstrual cycle.
Also, if you’re pregnant, then seeing orange discharge could be a sign that something is going on with your pregnancy. In this case, you should get it checked by a doctor.
What is Trichomoniosis?
Trichomoniosis is a common sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by the protozoan parasite Trichomonas vaginalis.
It can cause your discharge to develop a yellow, green, or orange tint. There might also be blood in your discharge.
If you have trichomoniosis, then you can get it treated with medication. Not every woman who is infected with this parasite will show visible symptoms.
How common is it? Well, it’s estimated that nearly 4 million people live with the infection.
However, only 30% of people will show visible symptoms like orange discharge, etc. Older women are more likely to get it than younger women.
Bacterial vaginosis is when you have a mild infection in the vagina. It’s caused by bacteria, so it should be treated with antibiotics.
In the vagina, there’s a certain concentration of “good” and “bad” bacteria. If the balance tips in favor of the “bad” bacteria, then bacterial vaginosis can happen.
The infection is usually mild and should go away within a few days. More serious cases will require antibiotics. Either way, it’s important to talk to a doctor about it.
What Are the Symptoms of Bacterial Vaginosis?
Orange discharge with foul smelling urine is a common symptom of bacterial vaginosis. The discharge may also be yellow or grayish in color.
Keep in mind that about 50% of women with this condition won’t show any visible symptoms.
As we mentioned, it’s caused by the imbalance of “good” and “bad” vaginal bacteria. If the “bad” bacteria overpopulate, an infection can occur.
Your chances of getting bacterial vaginosis increase if you have more than one sex partner, although women who aren’t sexually active can get it as well.
Wait and see if your orange discharge goes away. Most of the time, it’s a benign issue that will go away by itself.
However, if it’s associated with pain in the bladder area or burning when peeing, go to a doctor. These are signs that you have an infection and that antibiotics may be required.
If your symptom hasn’t gone away after a few days, then it’s also recommended that you see a doctor to rule out something serious.