No. Healthy discharge is usually clear, white, or off-white.[1,2] It might change in thickness throughout your cycle, but it should never be green. If you see green discharge, even if you have no other symptoms, it's worth calling your healthcare provider.

Trichomoniasis

Trich is caused by a tiny parasite passed through sexual contact. It's one of the most common causes of green discharge. The discharge is often frothy or bubbly and has an unpleasant smell.[4] You might also notice itching, burning, or soreness around your vagina.

Here's the tricky part: many people with trich have no symptoms at all.[2] That means you can have it and not know it. Trich can also make it easier to catch other infections, including HIV.[3] The good news is that it's very treatable with antibiotics your doctor can prescribe.  If your healthcare provider diagnoses you with trichomoniasis, your partner or partners will also need to be treated to prevent you from getting reinfected.  

Bacterial Vaginosis (BV)

BV usually causes a grayish-white discharge with a fishy smell. But sometimes the discharge can look yellow or greenish too.[5] Some women with BV have no symptoms at all, which means it can go untreated for a while without them knowing.

BV also makes it easier to catch other STIs, like gonorrhea, chlamydia, and HIV.[5] A doctor can diagnose it and treat it with antibiotics. One thing to know: BV tends to come back. More than half of women who get treated for it will get it again within a few months.[6]

Gonorrhea

When symptoms do show up, they might also include pelvic pain, pain when you pee, or bleeding between periods. If gonorrhea isn't treated, it can spread and cause serious problems, including a condition called pelvic inflammatory disease (more on that below).[2] A doctor can diagnose it with a simple swab test and treat it with antibiotics.

Chlamydia

If left untreated, chlamydia can move up into your uterus and fallopian tubes. This can cause serious damage and make it harder to get pregnant down the road.[9]8 It's easily diagnosed and treated with antibiotics. The United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommend regular testing for certain populations.[10] 

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)

Green or yellow discharge is one of the main signs of PID. Other symptoms include pelvic pain, fever, and pain during sex.[12] But PID can also be sneaky; sometimes it causes very mild symptoms, or none at all.[12]

PID is serious. If it's not treated, it can cause scarring in the fallopian tubes, which can lead to infertility, ectopic pregnancy (a dangerous pregnancy outside the uterus), and ongoing pelvic pain.[12] If you think you might have PID, see a doctor right away.

Aerobic Vaginitis

Unlike BV, which usually causes a thin grayish discharge, aerobic vaginitis tends to cause a thicker yellow or green discharge, along with redness and swelling.[13] A doctor can diagnose it by looking at a sample of your discharge under a microscope. Treatment depends on what's causing it, but may include antibiotics, a topical estrogen cream, or probiotics.[13]

A Forgotten Tampon or Other Foreign Object

If you notice green discharge with an especially strong odor (especially after your period), it's worth thinking about whether something might have been accidentally left inside. Research shows that abnormal discharge is one of the most common symptoms when a foreign object is present in the vagina.[14] Removing the object and, if needed, taking a short course of antibiotics usually clears it up.

During pregnancy, it's normal to have more discharge than usual. But that discharge should be white or milky, not green.[15] Green discharge during pregnancy is a sign of infection and should be checked by your doctor or midwife right away.

Any of the infections above can happen during pregnancy. Some of them, like trich and BV, have been linked to preterm birth and other complications if they're not treated.[3,15[ Don't try to diagnose or treat yourself. Call your provider as soon as you notice anything unusual.

You should call your doctor any time you notice green discharge. Don't wait to see if it goes away on its own. See someone sooner if you also have:

• A strong or fishy smell
• Itching, burning, or soreness around your vagina
• Pain in your pelvis or lower belly
• Pain when you pee or have sex
• Bleeding between periods or after sex
• Fever or chills

Your doctor will ask you some questions about what you've been noticing — like when it started, what it smells like, and whether you've had any other symptoms. They'll do a pelvic exam and take a swab of the discharge to test it in a lab.[2]

It helps to be as open and specific as you can. The more your doctor knows, the easier it is for them to figure out what's going on. There's nothing to be embarrassed about — they see this every day.

Treatment depends on what's causing the discharge. Here's a quick breakdown:

• Trichomoniasis: Antibiotics (usually metronidazole). Your partner needs to be treated too.[3]
• Bacterial vaginosis: Antibiotics (metronidazole or clindamycin, taken by mouth or as a vaginal gel).[5]
• Gonorrhea: An antibiotic injection, usually paired with a pill to treat chlamydia at the same time. Your partner needs treatment too.[2]
• Chlamydia: Antibiotic pills. Your partner needs to be treated too.[9]
• PID: A combination of antibiotics. Severe cases may need hospital treatment.[12]
• Aerobic vaginitis: Antibiotics, vaginal estrogen cream, or probiotics, depending on what the test shows.[13]
• Retained foreign object: Removal of the object, plus antibiotics if there's an infection.[14]

• Use condoms consistently during sex
• Get tested for STIs regularly, even if you feel fine
• Tell your sexual partners if you test positive so they can get treated too
• Don't douche or use scented soaps inside your vagina — your vagina cleans itself
• Change tampons every 4 to 8 hours, and always make sure you've removed the last one before putting in a new one
• Wipe front to back after using the bathroom
• Wear breathable cotton underwear

If you have green discharge, the most important thing you can do is get tested. Many of the infections that cause it — like trichomoniasis, chlamydia, and gonorrhea — have no symptoms. Testing is the only way to know for sure what's going on.

Everlywell makes it easy to get answers from home. Our at-home STD test lets you collect your sample privately, mail it to a lab, and get secure results online within days — no awkward waiting rooms required.

Already have symptoms and need treatment fast? Everlywell also offers online STI treatment consultations in 2 hours or less. A licensed provider can evaluate your symptoms and send a prescription directly to your pharmacy if appropriate.

Taking care of your sexual health doesn't have to be complicated. Everlywell is here to make it simple.