I tested negative for STIs but I still have discharge. What is it?

The idea of having an STI can be scary, and dealing with the symptoms can be even more stressful. However, some sexually active people who test negative for STIs may still experience certain symptoms.

In this blog, we’ll explore the different kinds of genital discharge that can appear even with a negative STI test, and provide guidance on how to manage these concerns.

Unusual discharge from the genitals might be a sign of an STI. Book a test at a sexual health clinic near you today.

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Normal genital discharge

Before delving into the details of STD-related discharge, it’s essential to understand what normal genital discharge is.

Female genital discharge

Vaginal discharge is a common occurrence for people with vaginas. It varies in colour, consistency, and amount throughout the menstrual cycle.

For most women, normal genital discharge is:

Clear, white, or slightly yellowish in colour
Thin with a mucous-like consistency that makes it wet, slippery, and a bit sticky
Mostly odourless

Your vaginal discharge can vary during pregnancy, after sexual contact, or if you’re on birth control. It can often be slippery and wet between your periods.

If you notice a significant change in your normal genital discharge, it might be a sign that something’s off with your health.

Male genital discharge

Men don’t experience the same kind of genital discharge that women do. They tend to only experience penile discharge during certain situations.

Pre-ejaculate: During sexual arousal, pre-ejaculate (or precum) is expelled from the tip of the penis. This mucous-y discharge is meant lubricate the tip of the penis during sex.
Ejaculate: During orgasm, semen is expelled from the tip of the penis. Semen contains sperm that are meant to inseminate a woman’s eggs after vaginal sex.
Smegma: Smegma is an accumulation of oils and dead skin under the foreskin. It has a white or yellowish colour with a cottage-cheese consistency.
Urine: It’s fairly common for a small amount of urine to remain at the tip of the penis after urination.

What sexually transmitted infections cause abnormal discharge?

Unusual discharge from the penis or vagina is a common symptom of several sexually transmitted diseases. It’s primarily a symptom of bacterial or protozoal infections that infect the urethra and urinary tract. These infections include:

Chlamydia

Chlamydia is a bacterial infection that often presents no symptoms. When symptoms do appear, they may include a mucus-like discharge from the penis or vagina, often accompanied by pain during urination or sex.

Gonorrhoea

Gonorrhoea, also known as “the clap”, can cause a thick, yellow or green discharge from the penis or vagina. This discharge may be smelly and is often accompanied by genital pain or a burning sensation when urinating.

Mycoplasma

Mycoplasma genitalium is a lesser-known but increasingly common STI. It may cause unusual vaginal discharge in women and urethral discharge in men, often alongside pelvic pain or discomfort during urination.

Trichomonas

Trichomonas or “Trich”, is a parasitic infection that can lead to a frothy vaginal discharge with a fishy odour in women. Men may experience a thin white discharge from the penis, along with irritation or soreness.

Ureaplasma

Ureaplasma is a naturally occurring bacterium that can become problematic when it overgrows. It may cause a watery vaginal discharge with an unpleasant odour in women, and urethral discharge in men, often with inflammation or pain.

Discharge not caused by STIs

Unusual discharge can also be caused by other infections.

Urinary tract infections (UTIs)

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) happen when bacteria infect parts of the urinary system, including the bladder, kidneys, urethra, and prostate.

Common symptoms include pain when urinating, frequent urges to go, and a white-ish discharge.

Yeast infections

Yeast infections are another common culprit for abnormal vaginal discharge. This type of infection often results in thick, white, and clumpy discharge, accompanied by itching and irritation.

Residual infection symptoms

If you’ve tested positive and been treated for an STI, it’s possible to have some symptoms persist even after testing negative for the infection.

This can happen because of:

Inflammation

Your body’s response to the infection can cause inflammation and an increase in discharge, which might take some time to return to normal.

Healing processes

As the body recovers, it might expel remnants of the infection or medication used to treat it, resulting in discharge.

Altered vaginal microbiome

STIs can disrupt the balance of the vaginal microbiome. Even after treatment, it may take time for the microbiome to fully restore itself.

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)

PID is a serious complication of untreated or inadequately treated STIs. It can lead to persistent pelvic pain, unusual discharge, and other symptoms. If you’re concerned about PID, consult Better2Know or your healthcare professional immediately for evaluation and treatment.

Where to get an STI test near you

Most STIs can be cured. Understanding what is normal and when to seek medical advice is essential in managing post-STI concerns.

If you think you’ve been exposed to an STI, or would like to get more comprehensive STI test results, you should get tested with Better2Know for timely treatment. Our conveniently located STI clinics can offer blood test and urine tests for any STI you may be worried about. You can even book a consultation with a private doctor if you feel you need a physical examination.