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Vaginal Discharge and Odor Checklist

A no-diagnosis checklist for vaginal discharge and odor by situation: before a period, after a period, brown discharge after sex, BV symptoms, yeast-like symptoms, UTI vs. yeast, cervical mucus tracking, and nipple discharge notes.

Discharge and odor changes can be hard to describe from memory, and hard to sort into a clear question.

This page holds short worksheets for common situations. None of them diagnose an infection, pregnancy, or an STI. Color, smell, and texture are notes, not a diagnosis chart. A clinician may need an exam or lab test to find the cause.

Contact a clinician promptly for fever, severe pain, blood in urine, symptoms that keep coming back, or anything that feels urgent or unsafe.

Pick your situation

Situation Jump to Discharge before a period Discharge before a period Color and odor, general checklist Color and odor checklist Odor after a period ends Odor after a period Brown discharge after sex Brown discharge after sex Possible BV symptoms BV symptom visit prep Yeast like symptoms Yeast like symptom log Symptoms keep coming back Recurrent symptom visit prep Urinary symptoms and vaginal symptoms together UTI vs. yeast notes Telling cervical mucus from discharge you want checked Cervical mucus vs. discharge Daily cervical mucus tracking Cervical mucus tracking chart Nipple discharge Nipple discharge notes

Discharge before a period

Discharge can change before a period. That can be normal for you. Write down what changed, not what you think it means.

Question Your note Date Cycle day What changed? Is there a new smell? Any itching or burning? Any pelvic pain? Any bleeding or spotting? Any pregnancy or STI concern?

Date Cycle day Amount Color Smell Texture Symptoms : none, little, medium, more than usual clear, white, yellow, green, gray, pink, brown none, mild, strong, fishy, other watery, creamy, sticky, thick, clumpy, foamy itch, burn, pain, swelling, bleeding

ACOG says vaginitis may cause itching, burning, bad odor, or a large amount of discharge, and normal discharge is usually clear or white without a strong odor. Cleveland Clinic says discharge can be normal, but changes in amount, texture, color, or smell can signal infection or another issue.

Color and odor checklist

Use plain words to describe color and smell. Do not match them to a diagnosis.

What you notice Words you can use Color clear, white, yellow, green, gray, pink, brown Smell none, mild, strong, fishy, sour, new for me Texture watery, creamy, sticky, thick, clumpy, foamy Amount none, little, usual, more than usual

Color changed from my usual pattern. Smell is strong, fishy, or new for me. Amount is much more than usual. Itching, burning, or pelvic pain started. Bleeding or spotting showed up. I used a new soap, wipe, lube, condom, or product.

CDC says history alone is not enough to find the cause of vaginitis, and exam or lab testing may be needed.

Odor after a period

Use this when odor shows up after bleeding ends.

Question Your note Period start and end date Day odor started Odor words you would use Discharge color and texture Itch, burning, or pee pain Pelvic pain or fever Has this happened before?

Date Days after period Odor Discharge Itch or burn : 1 none, mild, strong 2 none, mild, strong

CDC says BV can cause thin white or gray discharge and fish like odor, but many people with BV have no symptoms, and BV prevalence increases during menses. Fishy odor alone cannot diagnose BV.

Brown discharge after sex

Brown discharge after sex can be hard to name. This does not tell you the cause.

Question Your note Date and time Cycle day, days until expected period Color words brown / tan / rust / pink brown Amount spot / streak / light / more than light Smell words none / mild / strong / fishy / new for me Itching, burning, or pain with sex yes / no Pregnancy or STI concern yes / no

ACOG says bleeding or spotting after sex is considered abnormal uterine bleeding. CDC says some people with cervicitis report abnormal discharge and bleeding between periods, especially after sex.

Ask: Does this timing change what you want to check? Do my notes suggest I need an exam or a lab test?

BV symptom visit prep

Use this before a visit for discharge, odor, itch, or burning that makes you wonder about BV. This cannot diagnose BV.

Question Your note Main reason for the visit When symptoms started Odor, discharge color, and texture Itch, burning, or pain Burning when peeing Pelvic pain or fever Bleeding outside your period Pregnancy context, if relevant

CDC treatment guidelines describe BV diagnosis with clinical criteria or lab methods, including discharge features, pH, odor testing, microscopy, and nucleic acid tests for symptomatic patients.

Ask: What tests fit my symptoms? Can you test for BV? Should we also check yeast or STIs?

Yeast like symptom log

Itching, burning, soreness, and discharge changes are not proof of yeast. This log does not diagnose you or tell you what medicine to use.

Question Your answer Date symptoms started Itching level, 0 to 10 Burning level, 0 to 10 Discharge amount and texture Odor, if any Period or cycle timing Main question for care

CDC explains that vaginal candidiasis can cause itching, soreness, pain during sex, pain or discomfort when urinating, and abnormal discharge, but CDC STI Treatment Guidelines say these symptoms are not specific and can overlap with other causes. ACOG explains that vaginitis can have several causes and a clinician may use an exam or lab test.

Medicine already used

Item Your note Over the counter product name Start date Symptoms before and after use

If symptoms came back or did not improve, ask what testing fits your case.

Recurrent symptom visit prep

Use this if yeast like symptoms keep coming back. This does not give treatment steps or dosing.

Goal Check I want to know if this is yeast or something else. I want testing before more treatment. I want to review why symptoms keep coming back. I want to ask about a specialist.

Date symptoms started Main symptoms Test done? Medicine used Did symptoms return? yes / no / not sure yes / no / not sure

CDC STI Treatment Guidelines discuss vaginal candidiasis diagnostic evaluation, complicated cases, recurrence, and non albicans Candida.

Ask: What tests have I already had? Did any test confirm yeast? Should I see a gynecologist, vulvovaginal specialist, or infectious disease specialist?

UTI vs. yeast notes

Use this when pee symptoms and vaginal symptoms are hard to sort out. This does not diagnose a UTI, yeast infection, BV, or anything else.

Question Your note Date symptoms started Burning when peeing none / mild / strong Need to pee often or right away no / yes Lower belly or pelvic pressure none / mild / strong Itching or soreness none / mild / strong Discharge or odor change no / yes / not sure Blood in urine no / yes / not sure Fever, chills, back pain, or side pain no / yes

Office on Women's Health lists UTI symptoms such as pain or burning when urinating, frequent urge to urinate, lower abdominal pressure, cloudy or strong smelling urine, blood in urine, and fever. NIDDK lists similar bladder infection symptoms. CDC STI Treatment Guidelines say typical vulvovaginal candidiasis symptoms, including itching, soreness, and external dysuria, are not specific.

Call promptly for fever, back or side pain, nausea, vomiting, blood in urine, pregnancy concern, or new intense pelvic pain.

Cervical mucus vs. discharge

Use this when discharge notes start to blur with cycle linked cervical mucus notes.

Looks like a cycle note Looks like a care question Dry, damp, wet, or slippery feeling Itching or burning Sticky, creamy, watery, or stretchy fluid Strong or new odor A pattern near the same cycle days Pain, swelling, or soreness Changes that match your usual cycle Bleeding that worries you

Change Your note Color, amount, texture Odor Itching, burning, or pain Bleeding Sex timing, if relevant New product or medicine

CDC's STI Treatment Guidelines discuss vaginal discharge in the context of evaluation and testing for several possible causes.

Cervical mucus tracking chart

Use this to log cervical mucus as one body sign among several. It does not prove ovulation, pregnancy, or a health problem.

Date Cycle day Sensation Appearance Amount Color : dry, damp, wet, slippery none, sticky, creamy, watery, stretchy none, little, medium, lots clear, white, yellow, pink, brown

Cleveland Clinic says cervical mucus changes in texture, volume, and color across the cycle and may be dry, sticky, creamy, watery, slippery, or stretchy. Merck Manual says cervical mucus may be absent after menses, then become cloudy and thick, and shortly before ovulation become thinner, clearer, more elastic, and like raw egg whites.

If you see itching, burning, a bad smell, pelvic pain, fever, or discharge that feels wrong for you, contact a clinician. A chart can show a pattern. It cannot diagnose the cause.

Nipple discharge notes

Nipple discharge before a period can be hard to describe. This does not tell you what the discharge means or rank danger.

Question Your note Date and time Cycle day, days before expected period Left, right, or both Color words clear / white / yellow / green / brown / pink / red / other Amount words drop / spot / streak / more than a drop Happened once or more than once Breast pain, lump, or skin change no / yes Pregnancy or breastfeeding context, if relevant Main clinician question

Cleveland Clinic says nipple discharge can come from one or both breasts, may have different colors, and can have many causes. NCI lists breast conditions that may include nipple discharge, lumps, pain, or symptoms around the menstrual period.

Do not use color to pick a cause. Color is one fact for your notes.

Privacy note

Discharge, odor, and nipple discharge notes can include sex, pregnancy worry, STI worry, pain, and medicine context.

Keep only what helps you get care. Use "partner" instead of a name if that is enough.

FTC guidance says privacy and security are important for apps that collect or share consumer health information.

Floriva can keep notes on your device. Paper works too.

For sharing choices, read the vaginal discharge data privacy checklist and the vulvar symptom data privacy checklist. For visit prep, read Floriva for gynecologist prep and the reproductive health visit prep kit.