Vaginal discharge can be pathological (due to a disease) or physiological (due to normal physiology).

Pathological causes include vaginal infections but cancers of the cervix and vagina are also rare causes so an examination is essential.

Investigations should include assessment of the vagina with swabs as well as a smear test. A sample from the lining of the womb is required if the cause is not obvious and sometime an investigation called a hysteroscopy is necessary. Women should also have an ultrasound to look for uterine and endocervical polyps and also to assess the ovaries. Hormone tests for thyroid disease and other hormal abnormalities are also recomended.