How much vaginal discharge is normal?

Someone asked us: How much vaginal discharge is normal at 16. I am a virgin, I don’t take any birth control pills or hormones. No itch, no pain, no smell. thank you

Vaginal discharge is normal. How much discharge you have varies depending on where you are in your menstrual cycle and what’s normal for you. Some days it might seem like you don’t have any discharge, while on other days your underwear might be wet all day.

So when should you worry about your discharge? 

Healthy discharge tends to be clear or white (or slightly yellow when it dries). It can have a mild smell that should not be too strong or unpleasant and can vary in thickness throughout your menstrual cycle. If your discharge is bloody (and it’s not your period), foamy, itchy, yellow, or yellow-green in color, or has a very strong smell, it can be a sign of an STD or other infection like bacterial vaginosis or a yeast infection. The staff at your nearest Planned Parenthood health center will be able to tell you whether your discharge is healthy or if you may have an infection.

And remember – oral sex and genital skin-to-skin contact can pass STDs, so even if you haven’t had vaginal sex you can still get an STD that may impact your discharge. Learning about and practicing safer sex (like using condoms or dental dams) can help you avoid an infection and keep your discharge looking and feeling A-OK.