What does normal vaginal discharge look like?

Usually clear or white, changing in amount and texture across your cycle, without a strong smell, itching or soreness. It is a sign of a healthy, self-cleaning vagina.

How can I tell thrush from bacterial vaginosis?

Thrush is typically thick, white and cottage-cheese-like with itching and soreness and little smell; BV is typically thin, grey-white with a fishy odour and usually no itching. A doctor can confirm which it is, as the two are treated differently.

Could abnormal discharge be an STI?

Yes — chlamydia, gonorrhoea and trichomoniasis can change discharge. But they often cause no symptoms, so if you are sexually active or have a new partner, get tested rather than waiting for symptoms.

Should I douche to feel cleaner?

No. The vagina cleans itself, and douching disrupts its natural balance and can raise the risk of irritation and infection. Wash only the external area with plain warm water.

Vaginal Discharge: What’s Normal & When to Worry (Singapore)

Q: When should I see a doctor about discharge?

If it changes colour, smells strong or fishy, becomes cottage-cheese-like, or comes with itching, soreness, pain passing urine, bleeding between periods or pelvic pain — or if you are due for an STI screen.

Written & reviewed by the BestDoctors.sg editorial team · Last updated 22 Aug 2026 · General information, not medical advice

Quick answer. Vaginal discharge is normal and healthy – it’s how the vagina cleans and protects itself, and its amount and texture naturally change across the menstrual cycle. Normal discharge is usually clear or white and doesn’t cause itching, soreness or a strong smell. Get it checked if you notice a change in colour (yellow, green or grey), a strong or fishy smell, a cottage-cheese texture, itching or soreness, pain passing urine, bleeding between periods, or pelvic pain. Common causes of abnormal discharge include thrush, bacterial vaginosis, and STIs such as chlamydia and gonorrhoea – but not all discharge means an infection. If in doubt, see a doctor and get tested.

Discharge is one of the most common things women worry about, and most of the time it’s completely normal. Knowing what’s healthy – and which changes are worth checking – takes the guesswork out of it.

What’s normal

Vaginal discharge is usually normal and healthy, and its consistency and amount vary through the menstrual cycle (for example becoming clearer and more slippery around ovulation). Discharge that changes with your cycle without pain, itching, a strong smell or bleeding is generally nothing to worry about – it’s a sign of a self-cleaning vagina.

Signs to get checked

Discharge is more likely to need review if it changes colour (yellow, green or grey), smells strong or fishy, changes texture (for example thick and cottage-cheese-like), or comes with itching, soreness, pain passing urine, bleeding between periods, or pelvic pain – or if it appears after a new sexual partner or keeps recurring. These features don’t diagnose a cause by themselves; they’re a signal to see a doctor.

Thrush and bacterial vaginosis

Thrush (candida) typically causes thick, white, cottage-cheese-like discharge that usually doesn’t smell, with itching and soreness. Bacterial vaginosis (BV) typically causes thin, greyish-white discharge with a fishy smell (often stronger after sex), usually without itching or soreness – which helps tell it apart from thrush. Both are common and treatable, but should be assessed so you get the right treatment.

STIs – and why not everything is an infection

Sexually transmitted infections such as chlamydia and gonorrhoea and trichomoniasis can change discharge. Crucially, chlamydia and gonorrhoea are frequently symptom-free, so if you’re sexually active or have a new partner, testing is more reliable than waiting for symptoms (see STD testing). At the same time, not every change is an infection – normal cyclical changes and non-infective irritation from products are common.

Why not to douche

The vagina is self-cleaning and doesn’t need internal washing. Douching upsets its natural balance and healthy bacteria and can increase the risk of irritation and infection. Avoid douches, perfumed wipes, deodorant sprays, scented soaps and bubble baths on the genital area – for most people, washing the external area with plain warm water is enough. See a doctor and get tested rather than guessing if something changes.

Related sexual & reproductive health guides

Related condition guides

Sources

NHS — vaginal discharge, thrush and bacterial vaginosis (normal vs abnormal discharge; warning signs; thrush and BV features; when to seek care).
Cleveland Clinic — why you should never douche (the vagina is self-cleaning; douching disrupts its balance and raises infection risk).
DSC Clinic / HealthHub, Singapore — STI screening (many STIs are symptom-free; test if sexually active or with a new partner).

General information only. This guide is general sexual and reproductive health information for Singapore, not personalised medical advice or a diagnosis. Sexual health concerns are common and treatable, and a doctor’s consultation is confidential — see a GP, an O&G specialist, or a sexual health clinic such as the DSC Clinic, and anonymous HIV testing is available. In a medical emergency, call 995.

Vaginal Discharge: What’s Normal and When to Worry (Singapore)