It is perfectly normal for the vagina to have a vaginal discharge. A white vaginal discharge however is a good indication of a problem.

A clear discharge helps to clean, lubricate and keep the vagina free of germs. Most often this will happen before and after your menstrual period.

There are certain factors that may cause changes in the appearance or consistency of the discharge. These changes may include pregnancy, ovulation, or breastfeeding. There are also certain factors that can upset the ph level in your vagina. These may include douching, deodorant soaps, or perfumed body sprays.

A white vaginal discharge can mean that there is a yeast or bacterial infection present. Symptoms of a Yeast infection in women can have different appearances. It can be thin or thick, but normally always white in color. With bacterial infection symptoms the discharge will be off white to yellow in color.

Usually the severity of the infection will determine the depth and texture of the white vaginal discharge. A thin discharge is probably a mild infection with a major infection having the Constancy of cottage cheese. A mild infection may clear up extremely easy but a heavy white vaginal discharge could mean you’re dealing with a major candida overgrowth.

I've even heard of cases where the infection is so severe that the discharge is very thick with blue specks in it. This type almost looks something like crumbled blue cheese and is a definite indication of a major candida infection.

If you are experiencing a white vaginal discharge that severe you need to address the problem immediately, but you really should cure it immediately even if your symptoms aren't that severe anyway. A good way to Tell if a male may have a yeast infection is in his semen. It should be normal fairly thin, if it is real thick he could have a infection and doesn't know it. Most men can have a yeast infection with no symptoms and just keep giving it right back to you after you clear it up.

With the discharge of a yeast infection and bacterial one being so similar it can sometimes be hard to determine which one you have.

If there is any question about the type of vaginal discharge you are having, it does not hurt to examine it. If it is white, thick, and may smell yeasty, most likely it is a yeast infection. If it is yellowish or gray it may be another type of infection. If it is thin and clear, then you probably have nothing to worry about.

Wearing cotton underwear, using latex condoms, avoiding long hot baths and remembering to wipe from front to back are some good precautionary steps to avoid getting an infection.

These are some tips in preventing abnormal discharge-change out of wet clothes or swimsuits as soon as possible, bath before and after sexual intercourse or a vigorous workout, and keep the moisture level down as much as possible.