What Does Menopause Discharge Look Like?

Menopause is a natural stage of life, but it often comes with a lot of changes that can be confusing or even a bit alarming if you’re not sure what to expect. Changes to your vaginal discharge are one of them. Many women wonder what’s “normal” and what might be a sign of something else. Let’s explore how vaginal discharge changes during menopause, what to expect, and when it’s time to see a doctor.

How does vaginal discharge change during menopause?

Menopause marks the end of your menstrual cycle, and it is officially diagnosed when you’ve gone 12 months without a period. It typically happens between ages 45 and 55, but it can occur earlier or later. The lead-up to menopause, called perimenopause, can last several years as your body’s hormone levels start to fluctuate. You might start noticing changes to your vaginal discharge during this time.

During perimenopause, estrogen levels begin to decline. Estrogen is a key hormone that plays a role in keeping your vaginal tissues healthy and lubricated. As your body adjusts to these changes, your vaginal discharge may look and feel different. With less estrogen, the vagina can also become drier and thinner. This dryness can lead to discomfort or pain during sex and may affect the amount of natural vaginal lubrication. These symptoms are collectively known as genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM). 

What does menopause discharge look like?

Before menopause, healthy vaginal discharge is usually clear or white, and it varies throughout your menstrual cycle. However, in perimenopause and menopause, these patterns may shift significantly. Here’s what you might notice:

1. Decrease in vaginal discharge: Many women experience a significant reduction in the amount of vaginal discharge. It’s often less frequent, and when it does occur, it may be thinner or even nonexistent at times.
2. Color changes: Vaginal discharge during menopause is typically clear or slightly yellowish. It may also appear thinner than you’re used to because of the lower estrogen levels. A little dryness or stickiness can be normal as well.
3. Odor: With decreased estrogen, the pH balance of the vagina changes, and this can lead to a slight change in odor. A mild smell is normal, but any foul or fishy odor could indicate an infection.

It’s also normal for vaginal discharge to be minimal or absent altogether. Due to hormonal changes, dryness becomes more common, so some women may notice very little vaginal discharge compared to their pre-menopausal years.

Abnormal discharge during menopause

While changes in discharge are often harmless, there are some warning signs to watch out for. If you experience any of the following, it may be time to consult your doctor:

1. Foul odor: A strong, fishy, or unpleasant smell could be a sign of bacterial vaginosis (BV) or another infection.
2. Changes in color: If your vaginal discharge becomes green, gray, or dark yellow, this could indicate an infection. Bloody discharge, especially if it occurs more than a year after your last period, should always be checked out as it may be a sign of a more serious issue like endometrial or vaginal cancer.
3. Unusual consistency: Thick, frothy, or lumpy white discharge can also be a sign of infection, such as a vaginal yeast infection or trichomoniasis.
4. Irritation: Itching, burning, or redness around the vagina or vulva combined with vaginal discharge could indicate an infection.

Note: you should keep an eye out for these symptoms even if you’re not going through menopause!

Conditions that affect discharge during menopause

While not all changes in discharge are cause for concern, some conditions that affect the way your discharge looks or smells are still possible — if not more common — during menopause These include:

• GSM: Sometimes referred to as vaginal atrophy, this is a thinning of the vaginal walls. It can cause discomfort, dryness, and even bleeding or vaginal discharge.
• Yeast infections: Hormonal changes and vaginal dryness can disrupt the natural balance of bacteria, making vaginal yeast infections more likely. A thick, white, cottage cheese-like discharge along with itching, could be a yeast infection.
• Bacterial vaginosis: Bacterial vaginosis can cause a thin, gray, or greenish vaginal discharge with a strong, fishy odor. It’s more likely to happen when the natural pH of the vagina changes, which is common during menopause.
• Sexually transmitted infections (STIs): Even if you’re no longer concerned about pregnancy, practicing safe sex is still important during menopause. Sexually transmitted infections like trichomoniasis, chlamydia, and gonorrhea can all cause abnormal discharge and discomfort.

When to see a doctor

You should see your doctor if you’re ever unsure about changes in your vaginal discharge or if you experience other symptoms, including: 

• A strong, unusual odor
• Itching, redness, or swelling in the vagina or vulva
• Green, gray, or blood-stained discharge
• Pelvic pain or discomfort during sex
• Vaginal bleeding.

These symptoms could indicate an infection or other condition that requires treatment, and it’s always better to address them early.

Tips for managing vaginal health during menopause

Menopause is a time of transition, and taking care of your vaginal health is essential. Here are a few tips:

• Use a gentle moisturizer: Over-the-counter vaginal moisturizers can help with vaginal dryness. Avoid scented soaps that could irritate sensitive tissues.
• Avoid douching: Douching can kill the good bacteria in the vagina and give harmful pathogens a chance to overgrow. It can put you at higher risk of vaginal irritation and infections, such as bacterial vaginosis and yeast infections.
• Use lube: Lube can make penetrative sex more pleasurable and reduce the likelihood of tearing or irritation.
• Practice safe sex: Use condoms to reduce the risk of STIs and vaginal infections such as BV.
• Consult your doctor: If vaginal dryness or recurrent infections are a significant issue, your doctor may recommend low-dose estrogen creams or other hormone therapy treatments.

Menopause is a natural part of life, and changes in vaginal discharge are completely normal for many people. Knowing what to expect can help you feel more in control and recognize when something might need medical attention. Remember, your body is going through a transition, and taking care of your vaginal health is just one part of embracing this new phase. If you’re ever in doubt, don’t hesitate to reach out to your healthcare provider for advice and support.

FAQ

What kind of discharge is normal during menopause?

During menopause, it's normal to have very little or no discharge at all. If you do experience discharge, it's usually clear or light yellow, thin and watery, slightly mucus-like, and mostly odorless. This type of discharge is just your body's normal response to the hormonal changes and decreased estrogen during menopause.

What color is discharge after menopause?

After menopause, it's normal to have clear, white, or light yellow vaginal discharge, which may be thinner than what you had before due to reduced estrogen levels. However, green, gray, or blood-stained vaginal discharge should get checked by a doctor.

Is it normal for an older woman to have discharge?

Yes, it's normal for older women to experience some vaginal discharge, even after menopause. Usually, this discharge will be clear, white, or light yellow, and it might be thin or mucus-like. It doesn't usually have a strong odor, just a mild, natural smell. However, because of lower estrogen levels, some older women might have less vaginal discharge overall or notice more vaginal dryness. If the discharge changes to green, or gray, or starts to smell bad, or if you experience any blooding, itching, irritation, or pain, it's important to see a healthcare provider.