Vaginal discharge
Vaginal discharge
Normally, cervical glands produce a clear mucus secretion that drains downward, mixing with bacteria, discarded cells and Bartholin's gland secretions. Disease may be indicated if vaginal discharge is abnormal in color, odor, or consistency, or significantly increased or decreased in amount.

Review Date: 8/1/2008
Reviewed by: Linda Vorvick, MD, Seattle Site Coordinator, Maternal & Child Health Lecturer, Pathophysiology, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington School of Medicine; Susan Storck, MD, FACOG, Clinical Teaching Faculty, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington School of Medicine; Chief, Eastside Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound, Redmond, WA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC,
also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC'saccreditation
program is an independent audit to verify that A.D.A.M. follows rigorousstandards of quality and
accountability. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health
information andservices. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorialpolicy,
editorialprocess,
and privacypolicy.
A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net
Foundation (www.hon.ch.)
The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or
for the diagnosis or treatmentof any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted
for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to
other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of thoseother sites.
©1997-2006 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication ordistribution of the
information contained herein is strictly prohibited.