Wellness Sexual Health How Much Vaginal Discharge Is Normal? By Kristine Thomason Kristine Thomason Kristine Thomason is a health editor and writer with a focus on fitness, food, and wellness. She has written for several major publications including Women's Health, Health, Refinery29, Greatist, Elle, Harper's Bazaar, Cosmopolitan, Runner's World, Prevention, and People. health's editorial guidelines Updated on October 29, 2023 Medically reviewed by Soma Mandal, MD Medically reviewed by Soma Mandal, MD Soma Mandal, MD, is a board-certified internal medicine physician with a specialty in women’s health. learn more Trending Videos Close this video player The vagina is an important body part to be concerned about. Part of vaginal health is knowing if the vaginal discharge you're producing is normal or something you should be worried about. The normal amount of discharge depends on the person but can fall between 2 and 5 millimeters (mL) daily. It's also okay if you have discharge every day. Read on to learn more, including how to maintain normal discharge and when to see a healthcare provider. What Is Vaginal Discharge? Vaginal discharge is fluid that flows from your vagina. This fluid plays a role in vaginal health and cleanliness. As vaginal discharge leaves the vagina, it brings bacteria and old cells from the vaginal lining. How Much Vaginal Discharge Is Normal? It's normal to produce 2 to 5mL—about one-half to one teaspoon (tsp)—of vaginal discharge in 24 hours. The amount tends to vary on a day-to-day basis, often affected by factors like ovulation and birth control. Is It Normal to Have Discharge Every Day? Yes. Specifically, it's normal to have white or clear vaginal discharge daily. Normal discharge is also thick and mucus-like with a slight odor. What Does Your Vaginal Discharge Mean? What Can Increase Vaginal Discharge? You might experience an increase in vaginal discharge during ovulation or the week before menstruation and if you're aroused or pregnant. Too much vaginal discharge could also be a sign of conditions such as: A fistula—an abnormal connection between the colon and the vagina or the colon and the bladder A foreign object—such as a tampon or condom—is left inside the vagina. The STI trichomonas—from unprotected sex Vaginitis—which causes itching due to a bacterial imbalance. Causes for Decreased Vaginal Discharge During menopause, people may experience a decrease in vaginal discharge. That's because of the low estrogen levels at this stage of life. Other reasons why estrogen may drop include: Breast cancer, endometriosis, fibroid, or infertility medicinal or hormonal treatmentsChemotherapyOvarian surgical removalA person is breastfeedingPost-childbirthRadiation treatment to the pelvic areaSevere stress or depressionSmoking How Do I Know If My Vaginal Discharge Is Too Much? The amount of vaginal discharge varies by individual, but having a baseline can help you know if you produce more than what you're used to. If you have questions or concerns about what's normal for you, you can also see a healthcare provider for guidance. Tips for Managing Your Discharge Some practices, like douching and using feminine hygiene sprays or powders, may be linked with changes in vaginal discharge. To help maintain normal discharge, consider the following: Limiting or avoiding hot baths that include scented product useRinsing genitals with water, patting them dry, or both after using a toiletWiping from front to backUsing pads instead of tampons if you have a vaginal infectionUsing warm water or an unscented cleanser and your hand—instead of a washcloth—to wash genitaliaWearing underwear made from cotton or that has a cotton lining 6 Rules for How To Wear Your Underwear When to Contact a Healthcare Provider Consult a healthcare provider if you're experiencing an unusually great amount of discharge. You'll also want to see a healthcare provider if you have vaginal discharge with the following symptoms: A bad odor Abdominal or pelvic pain Foamy or greenish-yellow discharge Itchiness that affects the vulva, vaginal opening, or labia Pain during sex or urination Vaginal discharge that looks red Vulvar skin that feels like it's burning or sore or that's red or swollen A Quick Review It's normal for your body to produce one-half to one teaspoon of discharge every day, but the exact amount that's normal will depend on the person. Vaginal discharge may also increase or decrease based on factors like your menstrual cycle or if you're using hormonal birth control. You can help manage your discharge with actions like wearing cotton underwear and using warm water for showers and baths. However, see a healthcare provider if you have too much discharge or vaginal discharge with symptoms such as abdominal pain or discolored discharge. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit 5 Sources Health.com uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Sobel JD. Patient education: vaginal discharge in adult women (beyond the basics). In:UpToDate. UpToDate; 2023. American Academy of Family Physicians. Vaginal discharge. MedlinePlus. Vaginal itching and discharge - adult and adolescent. Sobel JD. Vaginitis in adults: initial evaluation. In:UpToDate. UpToDate; 2023. MedlinePlus. Vaginal dryness.