Is having a yellow discharge while pregnant normal? 5 possible reasons why you have yellow discharge

Vaginal discharge is a normal bodily function in women. It is a result of natural changes in estrogen levels. The color, smell, texture, and amount of vaginal discharge vary from woman to woman, depending on different factors.

Are you pregnant and having a yellow discharge? Let’s discuss in this article if it is normal to have yellow discharge while pregnant. 

Ovulation, sexual arousal, birth control pills, and pregnancy can affect the amount of a woman’s discharge. On the other hand, the color, texture, and smell of vaginal discharge may change according to bacterial balance in the vagina. 

Yellow discharge: What does it mean?

Having a yellow discharge is relatively common and not usually a sign of something to worry about. However, it can indicate different things. It may be just a normal bodily function or probably a symptom of infections during pregnancy. 

A light-yellow discharge when you are not pregnant can be a sign that your period is coming or you have a sexually transmitted infection. It can also be a symptom of bacterial infection such as vaginosis. It is important to check for other symptoms by observing the consistency, smell, and amount of your vaginal discharge. 

Yellow discharge on women that are not pregnant

A thin, watery, light yellow discharge when you are not pregnant is typically normal and a sign that you are about to have your monthly period. The yellow tint mixed with the mucus is just early menstrual blood.

You may also notice other symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) like acne breakout, sore and tender breasts, abdominal cramps, and mood swings. Aside from that, other symptoms of PMS are fatigue, constipation or diarrhea, feeling bloated, and headaches. 

Yellow discharge before period, could I be pregnant?

On the other hand, a thick, yellow discharge may indicate a different thing. A yellow discharge with a thick consistency and without a smell may show two things:

1. You are about to have your menstrual period
2. An early sign of pregnancy

If you have been wondering or asking yourself, “Could I be pregnant if I have a yellow discharge before my period?” the best thing to do is take a pregnancy test.

If you missed your period on the expected date after having a thick yellow discharge, it is best to take a pregnancy test to be sure. Signs of early pregnancy and symptoms of PMS seem similar, such as fatigue, constipation, bloating, cramps, mood swings, and cravings. That is why it is important to take a pregnancy test or visit your doctor for a check-up to be sure if you are pregnant or not.

Furthermore, if your yellow discharge has a strong odor, whether you are pregnant or not, this may be a sign of infection.

A yellow discharge with a strong unpleasant smell can be a symptom of bacterial vaginosis or a sexually transmitted infection (STI). Other symptoms that you have to look out for are the following:

• Pain and discomfort during sexual intercourse
• Itchy, sore vagina
• Burning sensation on your genital when urinating
• Fishy-smelling vaginal odor
• Yellow-green discharge
• Increased volume of discharge

It is important to consult your doctor if you notice these symptoms together with yellow vaginal discharge. Your doctor may recommend you undergo tests to check if you have STI or bacterial vaginosis.

Whether you are pregnant or not, it is important to tell your doctor about your symptoms if you are experiencing a strong-smelling yellow discharge. Treatment for smelly vaginal discharge varies depending on what kind of infection you have.

Yellow discharge and pregnancy

Is it normal to have a yellow discharge while pregnant? 

In the beginning, a thick, yellow, non-smelly vaginal discharge may be normal as a sign of early pregnancy. But as you progress with your pregnancy, a yellow vaginal discharge could be a sign of infections. It depends on consistency, smell, and other symptoms that may accompany it.

Here are some of the possible reasons for your yellow vaginal discharge:

Yeast infection

It is common for pregnant women to have vaginal yeast infections due to the disruption of the vagina’s pH balance and hormonal changes during pregnancy.

This condition is also called vaginal candidiasis. It is caused by the fungus candida Albicans. The vagina normally contains mixed yeast that includes candida. The overgrowth of yeast in the vagina is prevented by the balance of good bacteria such as lactobacillus.

The disruption in the balance of good and bad bacteria in the vagina can cause the overgrowth of yeast. It may penetrate deeper vaginal levels causing yeast infection.

Symptoms of yeast infections are:

• Thick, odor-free vaginal discharge
• A yellowish or white discharge that looks like cottage cheese
• Inflammation of the vulva
• Vaginal itchiness
• Burning sensation when urinating
• Pain during sexual intercourse

It is important to consult your doctor if you are experiencing symptoms of yeast infections during pregnancy. Yeast infection while pregnant may cause pregnancy complications.

Bacterial vaginosis

The imbalance of bacteria in the vagina can cause bacterial vaginosis. Having this condition while pregnant can increase the risk of preterm labor, endometritis, premature delivery, and low birth weight.

Signs of bacterial vaginosis are:

• Yellow vaginal discharge
• Burning sensation when urinating
• Smelly vaginal odor
• Vaginal itchiness
• Discomfort in the vagina

Sexually transmitted infections that may cause yellow discharge

STI can be viral or bacterial. This condition may also cause yellow vaginal discharge while pregnant.

Here are some common STIs in pregnant women:

Trichomoniasis

A sexually transmitted infection caused by a protozoan parasite called Trichomonas vaginalis. Having this infection during pregnancy increases the risk of having preterm labor and a baby with low birth weight.

Symptoms of trichomoniasis are:

• Increased in the volume of vaginal discharge
• yellow vaginal discharge with a strong smelly odor
• pain and itch in the genitals
• discomfort when urinating and during sexual intercourse
• redness of the vagina

Chlamydia

This condition is caused by a common bacterial infection spread through sex or in contact with infected genital fluid. Having chlamydia while pregnant increases the risk of premature rupture of membranes, a baby with low birth weight, and preterm labor. These are all possible if chlamydia is left untreated.

Signs of chlamydia include:

• frequent need to urinate
• pain when urinating
• yellow vaginal discharge with a strong odor
• discomfort in the belly area

Gonorrhea

This kind of STI is more complicated than those mentioned above. It is usually treated using antibiotics. But now, it is becoming harder to treat gonorrhea. This is because of an increase in drug-resistant strains of gonorrhea.

Gonorrhea can impact pregnancy greatly. According to the article published by Healthline, untreated gonorrhea has been linked to miscarriages.

Aside from that, it may increase the risk of premature rupture of membranes, premature birth, and a baby with low birth weight. It can also cause eye infections in the baby because it can be transmitted through delivery.

Symptoms of gonorrhea are:

• yellow vaginal discharge
• higher volume of discharge
• abdominal pain
• sexual discomfort

All of these sexually transmitted infections can cause not just yellow but also green discharge when you are pregnant. A yellow or green discharge while pregnant is a sign of infection. It is important to consult a doctor if you experience having a yellow and green discharge together with all the symptoms stated above.

Here at theAsianparent Philippines, it’s important for us to give information that is correct, significant, and timely. But this doesn’t serve as an alternative for medical advise or medical treatment. theAsianparent Philippines is not responsible to those that would choose to drink medicines based on information from our website. If you have any doubts, we recommend to consult your doctor for clearer information.