Off-White Vaginal Discharge

Ustadh Salman Younas is asked about the color of vaginal discharge and what to make of slightly off-white discharge with regard to purity and prayer.

Question:

Assalam alaykum wa rahmat Allah wa barakatuh.

Question: My normal discharge color as measured in kursuf is clear in thin quantities and slightly yellow tinted when in a thicker layer. I’m a medical student so I’m quite sure that I am not suffering from an infection.

This is in fact my normal, physiological color. Besides, this is the color it’s been for as long as I can remember. I have discussed with other women as well and some of them have agreed that their normal color is slightly off white tinted.

So, should I assume my normal discharge is a shade of white or that it is blood? I am a student so it is would be very difficult for me to take long breaks to renew wudu and find a place to pray during hospital placement.

Answer:

Wa alaykum assalam wa rahmat Allah wa barakatuh.

The basic rule is that clear or white discharge is not considered menstrual, while non-clear and non-white discharge is. Thus, discharge that is white-ish but has a tinge/trace of yellow would be considered menstrual.

However, you should note that the color given consideration is one seen immediately after the kursuf is removed and the discharge is fresh, since it may turn yellow as it oxidizes.

Ultimately, you will need to make your best judgment regarding whether the discharge you are seeing is clear or white, or whether it actually does have traces of other colors. If it is the former, it will be deemed normal vaginal discharge, while the former is menstrual discharge.
Salman

Checked and approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani.