Annie,

Vaginal discharge is a common complaint of females. It may be normal or abnormal. The consistency may vary during a menstrual cycle. When a vaginal discharge presents with an odor or change of amount or thickness or color change or itching or burning or irritation or pain, it may indicate an infection such as a yeast or bacteria. Change of the normal vaginal flora by douching, using certain feminine products, soaps, antibiotics use, irritation by wearing certain tight outfits and certain diseases such as diabetes or pregnancy may contribute to an abnormal vaginal discharge.

Cancer of the cervix may present with a vaginal discharge with bleeding and pain later on in the disease process. Consult your healthcare professional for an appropriate examination, diagnosis and treatment, if needed. A simple pap smear is used to screen for pre-cancerous and cancerous chages of the cervix.

Vaginal infections may be passed from one sex partner to the next. So the partner may have to be seen by the healthcare professional, if an infection is detected.