Why does your discharge look yellow on toilet paper?
By
Dr Natalia Marceli Stephanes (PhD)
Author bio
Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes PhD is a Pharmacist with expertise in Drugs Administration and Toxicity; Discovery of New Drugs; Cancer Treatment; Biochemical Analyzes and Hematological Analyzes. She writes and reviews content on these topics.
Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes’ Highlights:
- Pharmacist at the Department of Health of Santa Catarina State, Brazil
- PhD with a focus on oncology treatment
- Years of experience in commercial pharmacy
- Bachelor, Master and PhD degrees in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina
Professional Experience:
From her undergraduate studies to her Master’s and Doctorate degrees in Pharmacy, Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes has participated in numerous scientific studies in the field of oncology and onco-hematology at the University Hospital of the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil. Her research has focused on understanding the molecular and biochemical bases of malignant neoplasms and investigating safer and more effective therapeutic alternatives.
Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes has also served as an assistant professor of haematology for undergraduate students at the Federal University of Santa Catarina. Additionally, she held the position of professor of Hospital Pharmacy at the Qualificar Technical School in Brazil, where she developed instructional materials for use in the Pharmacy Postgraduate Program at the Leonardo Da Vinci University Center.
In addition to her academic experiences, Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes possesses a strong expertise in commercial pharmacy, with in-depth knowledge of medications, their routes of administration, desired effects, adverse effects, and toxicity.
Currently, Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes works as a Pharmacist at the Health Department of Santa Catarina State, where her role entails providing pharmaceutical scientific consulting services to judges.
Education:
- 2016 Bachelor in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil
- 2018 Master in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil
- 2023 PhD in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil
The main publications of Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes are:
Falchetti M ; Delgobo M, Zancanaro H, Almeida K, Das Neves RN, Dos Santos B, Stefanes NM, et al. Bishop Omics-based identification of an NRF2-related auranofin resistance signature in cancer: Insights into drug repurposing. Comput. Biol. Med [Internet]. 2023; 152:106347.
Feuser PM, Matos dos Santos PC, Cordeiro AP, Stefanes NM, Walter LO, Maioral MF, Santos-Silva MC, et al. Antineoplastic activity of free 4-nitrochalcone and encapsulated in poly(thioether-ester) nanoparticles obtained by thiol-ene polymerization in two human leukemia cell lines (Jurkat and K562). J Drug Deliv Sci Technol [Internet]. 2022; 67:102924.
Jacques AV, Stefanes NM, Walter LO, Perondi DM, Efe FL, Souza LFS, Sens L, et al. Synthesis of chalcones derived from 1-naphthylacetophenone and evaluation of their cytotoxic and apoptotic effects in acute leukemia cell lines. Bioorg. Chem [Internet]. 2021; 116:105315.
Duarte BF, Vieira DSC, Lisboa ML, Stefanes NM, Grando LJ, Santos-Silva MC. Características clínico-epidemiológicas de pacientes portadores de carcinoma de células escamosas de boca. Arquivos Catarinenses de Medicina. 2021; 50(2): 232–245.
Machado V, Jacques AV, Stefanes NM, Santos-Silva MC, Biavatti MW. Anti-leukemic activity of semisynthetic derivatives of Lupeol. Nat. Prod. Res. 2021; 35(22):4494-4501.
Bigolin A, Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Mascarello A, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Nunes RJ, Yunes RA, et al. A novel sulfonamide derivative as a strong and selective apoptotic agent against hematological malignancies. Chem. Pap. 2020; 74:2965–2976.
Bigolin A, Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Zatelli GA, Philippus AC, Falkenberg MB, Santos-Silva MC. Cytotoxic mechanisms of primin, a natural quinone isolated from Eugenia hiemalis, on hematological cancer cell lines. Anticancer Drugs. 2020; 31(7):709-717.
Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Neufeldt PD, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Nunes RJ, Santos-Silva MC. Aldehyde biphenyl chalcones induce immunogenic apoptotic-like cell death and are promising new safe compounds against a wide range of hematologic cancers. Future Med. Chem. 2020; 12(8):673–688.
Perondi DM, Jacques AV, Stefanes NM, Maioral MF, Sens L, Pacheco LA, Cury NM, et al. A novel thiosemicarbazone as a promising effective and selective compound for acute leukemia. Anticancer Drugs. 2019; 30(8):p 828-837.
Rengifo AFC, Stefanes NM, Toigo J, Mendes C, Argenta DF, Dotto MER, Santos-Silva MC, et al. PEO-chitosan nanofibers containing carboxymethyl-hexanoyl chitosan/dodecyl sulfate nanoparticles loaded with pyrazoline for skin cancer treatment. Eur. Polym. J. 2019; 119:335-343.
Rengifo AFC, Stefanes NM, Toigo J, Mendes C, Santos-Silva MC, Nunes RJ, Parize AL, et al. A new and efficient carboxymethyl-hexanoyl chitosan/dodecyl sulfate nanocarrier for a pyrazoline with antileukemic activity. Mater. Sci. Eng. C [Internet]. 2019; 105:110051.
Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Bigolin A, Zatelli GA, Philippus AC, Falkenberg MB, Santos-Silva MC. Miconidine acetate, a new selective and cytotoxic compound with synergic potential, induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in leukemia cells. Invest. New Drugs. 2019; 37:912–922.
Srefanes NM, Toigo J, Maioral MF, Jacques AV, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Perondi DM, Ribeiro AAB, et al. Synthesis of novel pyrazoline derivatives and the evaluation of death mechanisms involved in their antileukemic activity. Bioorg. Med. Chem. 2019; 27(2):375-382.
Maioral MF, Bodack CN, Stefanes NM, Bigolin A, Mascarello A, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Yunes RA, et al. Cytotoxic effect of a novel naphthylchalcone against multiple cancer cells focusing on hematologic malignancies. Biochim. 2017; 140:48-57.
You can view some of Dr Natália’s work below and links to her professional profile below.
Research Gate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Natalia-Stephanes
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nataliamarceli/
Why does your discharge look yellow on toilet paper?
The common cause of yellow discharge are:
- Nothing-at-all
- Early pregnancy
- Menstruation
- Hormonal imbalance
- Bacterial Vaginosis
- Sexually transmitted infections
- Medications
Nothing-at-all
Having a slightly yellow or pale yellow discharge can be absolutely normal. Our bodies work in different ways and it’s not always necessary to have a cause or an exact explanation for everything.
If you have no other symptoms, your menstrual date is nowhere near, and you’re absolutely healthy, the slight yellow vaginal discharge probably doesn’t mean anything.
However, if you are experiencing other signs and symptoms or the discharge has a specific smell to it, that’s when you need to consult your doctor (1).
Early pregnancy
The yellow discharge could be a sign of early pregnancy. The consistency of such a discharge is usually thick. However, there are other symptoms of pregnancy as well and you should look out for them.
These include nausea, vomiting, tenderness of breasts, mood swings, etc. If you have not missed your period yet, you can still go for a pregnancy test as early as 5-6 days before your expected menstruation date to rule pregnancy out.
Menstruation
If your menstrual date is near or you just got done with it, having a yellow discharge is absolutely normal. This is because some of the leftover blood may get mixed up with your normal discharge and give it a slight yellow hue.
If your cycle is about to start, the same could happen and soon this yellow discharge will turn into a bright red period discharge. All of this is absolutely normal and nothing to be concerned about.
Hormonal imbalance
Hormonal imbalance could also change the colour of your normal vaginal discharge. However, it is usually associated with other symptoms. It’s best to consult your healthcare provider to rule out hormonal disturbances.
Bacterial Vaginosis
Bacterial Vaginosis or BV is a bacterial infection which may cause yellow vaginal discharge. Although BV is more commonly associated with greyish colour discharge, yellow or greenish-yellow discharge is also observed in some cases.
However, BV is associated with other symptoms like a fishy smell, burning sensation, vaginal itching, etc.
Sexually transmitted infections
STIs are also associated with changing the colour of your vaginal discharge, along with other symptoms like burning, itching, redness, etc. Some symptoms of STIs may resemble other genital conditions.
This is why it is best to reach out to your healthcare provider to rule out STIs.
Medications
The use of certain medications may affect the colour of your vaginal discharge. Some antimicrobial preparations can cause yellow-brown vaginal discharge, like Diflucan, Monistat 1, etc.
If you are using any such medication which can potentially make your vaginal discharge yellow, talk to your provider. Such side effects could be temporary but if something is out of the ordinary, your doctor will guide you accordingly.
What to do if your discharge looks yellow on toilet paper?
It is best to reach out to your healthcare provider if you find your vaginal discharge to be a little too yellow or with a foul smell. Your doctor will properly examine your symptoms and will ask for some diagnostic tests, if necessary.
If it’s absolutely normal, your doctor will send you back home without any medication. However, if there is an underlying medical condition affecting the colour of your vaginal discharge, your doctor will properly diagnose it and will give you the appropriate medications to deal with it.
Just make sure you avoid self-medicating, especially if you are not even sure whether your discharge is normal or not. Remember, the key to achieving the best possible therapeutic response is to properly follow your doctor’s advice.
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References
1.-
Amrin SS, Lakshmi GJ. Vaginal discharge: The diagnostic enigma. Indian J Sex Transm Dis AIDS. 2021 Jan-Jun;42(1):38-45. doi: 10.4103/ijstd.IJSTD_92_18. Epub 2020 Jul 31. PMID: 34765936; PMCID: PMC8579582. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34765936/
2.-
National Health Services. Vaginal discharge. [Internet]. NHS; 2021 Sep 2 [cited 2022 Dec 27]. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaginal-discharge/
