Bad for: Use as a repeated substitute for the red heart emoji. This emoji should not have any place in your “frequently used” emoji tray.
A color-coded guide to vaginal discharge
Many natural processes cause vaginal discharge, including menstruation and lubrication during arousal. However, some colors of discharge can indicate an infection or underlying health condition.
Vaginal discharge may occur independently or with other symptoms. It is important to know what the different colors of discharge mean and when it is necessary to seek medical help.
In this article, we provide a color-coded guide to vaginal discharge. Learn what the colors mean and when to see a doctor.
Vaginal discharge is fluid secreted from tiny glands in the vagina and cervix. This fluid leaks from the vagina daily to remove old cells and debris, keeping the vagina and reproductive tract clean and healthy.
The amount of vaginal discharge can vary significantly from person to person. The color, consistency, and amount can also change from day to day, depending on where a person is in their menstrual cycle:
- Days 1–5: At the beginning of the cycle, discharge is usually red or bloody as the body sheds the uterine lining.
- Days 6–14: Following a period, a person may notice less vaginal discharge than usual. As the egg starts to develop and mature, the cervical mucus will become cloudy and white or yellow. It may feel sticky.
- Days 14–25: A few days before ovulation, the mucus will be thin and slippery, similar to the consistency of egg whites. After ovulation, the mucus will return to cloudy, white or yellow, and possibly sticky or tacky.
- Days 25–28: The cervical mucus will lighten, and a person will see less of it, before getting another period.
The shade of red can vary from bright to a dark rust color. Red discharge is most commonly the result of bleeding during a period.
Menstrual bleeding happens, on average, around every 28 days, though the normal range is 21 – 35 days. A period typically lasts for 3 – 5 days.
Anyone who experiences bleeding between menstrual periods should see a doctor. Though there are many benign causes of intermenstrual bleeding, it can sometimes signal a serious condition.
Anyone who has gone through menopause and not had a period for at least 1 year should see a doctor if they experience vaginal bleeding. It can sometimes be a sign of endometrial cancer.
The shade of white can extend to include cream or light yellow. If a person has no other symptoms, white discharge is most likely a sign of healthy lubrication.
However, if the white discharge has a consistency like cottage cheese or is accompanied by a strong odor, it can indicate an infection. An individual should see a doctor.
White, thick, strong-smelling discharge typically indicates a yeast infection, which can also cause itching or irritation.
If the discharge has a very slight yellow hue, it may not indicate a problem. This is especially likely if the hue only coincides with a change in diet or dietary supplements.
Discharge that is a darker shade of yellow, yellowish-green, or green usually signals a bacterial or sexually transmitted infection. See a doctor promptly if vaginal discharge is thick or clumpy or it has a foul odor.
Discharge can be light or a much deeper pink. It usually contains a little bit of blood.
Pink discharge most commonly occurs with spotting before a period. However, it can also indicate implantation bleeding in early pregnancy.
Some people experience some spotting after ovulation, which can also cause pink discharge.
Discharge can be pink after sexual intercourse if the sex has caused small tears or irritation in the vagina or cervix.
Most ordinary vaginal discharge is clear or whitish. It may be slippery or have the consistency of egg whites.
A person is likely to experience clearer, slippery discharge just before ovulation, during sexual arousal, and pregnancy.
Gray vaginal discharge is unhealthy and can be a symptom of a common bacterial infection called bacterial vaginosis (BV).
BV usually causes other vaginal symptoms as well, including:
- itching
- irritation
- a strong odor
- redness around the vulva or vaginal opening
Anyone with gray discharge should promptly see a doctor. Following diagnosis, the doctor will usually prescribe antibiotics to treat the BV.
See a doctor if vaginal discharge has an unusual smell or appearance. A person should also seek medical care if they experience vaginal symptoms such as:
- itching
- pain or discomfort
- discharge that is frothy or like cottage cheese
- bleeding between periods or after menopause
- spotting after sex regularly
- grey, green, or yellow discharge
- a strong odor
- a burning sensation during urination
The doctor will perform a pelvic exam. They may also need to take a sample of discharge for testing.
Blue Heart
Blue hearts have bro energy. Something about the classic collegiate tone of a royal blue is extremely, “What’s better than this? Just guys being dudes.”
This isn’t because blue is a gendered thing but more because the blue heart implies a sort of shallow friendship. You don’t send a blue heart to anyone you trust with your emotional baggage. You send it to the homies you see once a month or that girl you promise you’ll get brunch with “one of these days.”
Good for: Group chats when you have nothing to add, texting your parents when they check in, randos who DM you on Instagram in a nonsexual context.
Bad for: Eh, it’s hard to misuse this one, TBH.
Yellow Heart
This is a very Gentle™️ energy, most likely to be used in a familial relationship, friendship, or a romantic thing that’s moving into friendship territory. This emoji sees the most action around Mother’s Day, conversations with your grandma, and other friendly and supportive figures.
Good for: New relationships where you want to show affection without fear of coming on too strong or when you’re sending to family members.
Bad for: Anyone you’ve ever seen naked or would like to see naked eventually.
3. Purple Heart
For those in the know, the purple heart is considered a horny emoji. Thanks to Ty Dolla Sign’s “Purple Emoji,” this is now canon.
Alternatively, if you see this cropping up in a family group chat, it could be related to your grandpa’s Purple Heart. Thank you for your service, soldier. The two wildly different translations mean that the purple heart is chaotic. Use at your own risk.
Good for: Shamelessly booty-calling someone or a FWB situation.
Bad for: Anyone whose parents you’ve met.
