There are certain vaginal discharge colors that’ll set off some serious alarm bells (looking at you, green). But then there are others that fall into a confusing middle ground, like gray discharge.
After all, it’s different from your usual discharge color, but gray also doesn’t seem all that far from a more “normal” white hue. So, should you be concerned about 50 shades of gray or not?
At the end of the day, any kind of gray discharge isn’t ideal. “It can mean that you have an infection,” says Christine Greves, MD, an ob-gyn at Orlando Health Women’s Institute Center for Obstetrics & Gynecology and obstetrical and gynecological surgeon at Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies. That’s not a guarantee, of course, which is why it’s important to be evaluated by a medical professional, just to be sure.
While you’re waiting to be seen, keep reading for more on some of the most common causes of gray discharge, according to ob-gyns. Worth noting: they’re all treatable.
Experts Featured in This Article
Christine Greves, MD, is an ob-gyn at Orlando Health Women’s Institute Center for Obstetrics & Gynecology and obstetrical and gynecological surgeon at Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies.
Jennifer Wider, MD, is a women’s health expert, author, and podcast host.
What Does Gray Discharge Mean?
Gray discharge can indicate a few different things. “It’s usually a signal that something is wrong, as normal discharge is clear, white, or off white,” says Jennifer Wider, MD, a women’s health expert and ob-gyn. There are a few different things that could be behind it, although all signs point to some type of infection which is why it’s so important to see a doctor. Here’s what could be going on, plus other symptoms to keep an eye out for.
You might have bacterial vaginosis.
Bacterial vaginosis, aka BV, is the most common vaginal condition experienced by women between the ages of 15 and 44, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It happens when there’s too much of a certain bacteria in the vagina. While several forms of bacteria can lead to BV, Gardnerella vaginalis is the most common culprit.
Bacterial vaginosis usually causes more than gray discharge. It typically also comes along with symptoms like a strong fishy or musty odor, itching or burning around the vagina, and burning while you pee, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The discharge itself can be thin and light gray, per the WHO, although it can also be green.
BV can be cleared up with the antibiotic metronidazole but, if it’s left untreated, can lead to problems in pregnancy, a higher risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and pelvic inflammatory disease, per the WHO. “It needs to be treated with an antibiotic,” Dr. Wider stresses.
It could be trichomoniasis.
Trichomoniasis, or trich, is an STI caused by the parasite trichomonas vaginalis, per the CDC. According to the CDC, there are more than 2.6 million trichomoniasis infections in the U.S., although only about 30% of those come with symptoms. One of the hallmark signs is a gray discharge coupled with a foul odor, explains Dr. Wider. (Said discharge may also be thin or higher in volume than your usual.) Women are more likely than men to develop trichomoniasis and may also notice itching, burning, redness, or soreness of the genitals, along with discomfort while peeing and uncomfortable sex, per the CDC. The good news: Trichomoniasis can also be treated with metronidazole, the same medication used to treat BV, Dr. Wider says.
It may be another sexually transmitted infection.
At baseline, gray discharge can be a sign of an infection, Dr. Greves points out. More specifically, both chlamydia and gonorrhea can also cause gray discharge. Chlamydia is an STI caused by the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine. While it can cause no symptoms, it can also lead to white, yellow or gray discharge with a strong odor, pain during sex, a burning sensation when you pee, and bleeding between periods, according to the Cleveland Clinic. It’s treated with antibiotics.
Gonorrhea is an STI caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae, per the U.S. National Library of Medicine. It can cause discharge that’s gray, green, or yellow, pain during sex, a burning sensation when you pee, and bleeding between periods, according to Northwestern Medicine. And yep, you guessed it, it’s also treated with antibiotics.
It’s potentially a yeast infection.
Yeast infections have a classic white “cottage cheese-like” discharge, but that discharge can also be gray, Dr. Wider says, although she notes that gray is less common. Either way, the discharge is usually thick, she adds.
“Yeast infections are caused by overgrowth of the fungus Candida, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). You also raise your risk of getting a yeast infection when you wear tight-fitting bottoms, sit around in wet clothes, take antibiotics unnecessarily, and use scented feminine products down there, Dr. Greves explains. In addition to the discharge, you may also have itching and burning of the vulva that gest worse when you pee or have sex, along with redness and swelling.
Yeast infections are treated by placing anti-fungal medication like miconazole into the vagina or by taking an oral medication, Dr. Greves says. Happily, these treatments will usually help you feel better within a day or two.
When to See a Doctor For Gray Discharge
Again, gray is not a typical discharge color. So, if you’re seeing it constantly, it’s a good idea to talk to a doctor. That’s especially true if you’ve never had gray discharge before and it’s not going away after a few days. “If you notice a change from your normal discharge, go see your doctor,” Dr. Greves advises.
Dr. Wider agrees. “Gray discharge is usually the sign of an infection, especially if it comes along with other symptoms,” she says. “It should always be checked out by a medical professional.”
Korin Miller is a writer specializing in general wellness, health, and lifestyle trends. Her work has appeared in Women’s Health, Self, Health, Forbes, and more.
