We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article.

Get to know what's going on down there

Witnessing pink discharge in your pants will probably set your alarm bells ringing, given that you are likely aware that, as the NHS describes, discharge with a white-ish tone is typically viewed as 'normal'. The good news is that there are plenty of reasons why your discharge could be taking on a slightly different tone, and a lot of them are benign.

As ever, if you are concerned about your health, book an appointment with your GP or call NHS 111, for advice.

So, instead of scrolling down internet scare stories, read up on what the experts say your pink discharge could be credited to.

While you may be a bit freaked by the sight of pink discharge, there are plenty of reasons as to why it might be happening — and they aren't all something to worry about. However, if you are ever worried about something happening down there, do book in with your GP to discuss your symptoms.

Yep. If you do have a yeast infection, or indeed bacterial vaginosis, it can cause bleeding from your vaginal wall, which could mix with your discharge, making it pink. Suspect that this is the case? Book in with your GP.

Not necessarily, but it can. Implantation bleeding – the spotting or light bleeding that sometimes occurs following conception – can be an early sign of pregnancy. However, not everyone who is pregnant experiences implantation bleeding, and not every case of pink discharge is caused by pregnancy.

If you think you might be pregnant, some very sensitive tests can detect pregnancy around 8 days after conception and before you miss a period.

Hard to say, since it really depends on what's causing you to experience pink discharge in the first place.

Spotting – or pink discharge – after sex (known as postcoital bleeding) is likely to only last an hour or two, whilst pink discharge caused by ovulation or implantation bleeding could last anywhere from a few hours to a few days. Some people have reported experiencing implantation bleeding for up to seven days, though it's less common.

It's normal to experience pink discharge for a few months after switching to a new method of contraception (particularly if you have an IUD, implant, injection, or you're trying out a new pill), and usually eases over time.

See your GP if pink discharge persists longer than what's considered fairly normal.

Perhaps the most obvious cause of pink discharge is blood. Towards the start or end of menstruation, says Dr Brooke Vandermolen, Obstetrics and Gynaecology doctor and founder of The Obgyn Mum, your period can combine with other vaginal secretions on its way out, diluting it from red to pink.

Alternatively, if pink discharge has caught you by surprise and it’s not your usual time of the month, it could be a sign of irregular menstruation, which can be brought upon by age, stress, lifestyle changes, like travel, or fluctuations in weight.

Like an old school version of pregnancy planning apps, Mother Nature can alert you to where you're at in your cycle.

'You may notice pink discharge around the time of ovulation (mid-cycle),' Dr Vandermolen says.

Around 5-20% of women experience mid-cycle spotting at the time of ovulation – it’s pink because the body is also producing extra clear cervical fluid at this time, which dilutes it.

'It results from a sudden surge in oestrogen at ovulation that then drops, causing destabilisation of the endometrium,' Dr Vandermolen says. 'It usually lasts 12-72 hours.'

If your oestrogen levels tip, the uterine lining can break down and shed ahead of schedule or irregularly, leading to pink discharge spotting.

'Irregular uterine bleeding can occur with either high or low oestrogen levels,’ says Dr Vandermolen. 'If you are having irregular menstrual cycles — for example, due to PCOS — there may be some anovulatory cycles where no egg is released.

'In this situation, progesterone isn’t released as normal and oestrogen levels continue to cause the lining of the womb to thicken. This can then slough off incompletely and irregularly, giving pink discharge or red spotting.'

There are also situations when women ovulate but oestrogen levels remain low, which can also cause irregular bleeding or pink discharge. Take stock and see if you’ve been experiencing any other symptoms of hormonal imbalance such as hot flashes, insomnia, mood swings, brain fog and UTIs. If you think this could be you, book to see your GP and explain your symptoms.

Why not plastic-free your period even further by switching your usual panties for period-proof underwear? No need to fix your pads in place with poppers; they’re essentially built in.

Designed to hold up to four regular pads / tampons’ worth. Period? What period?

You read that right. These workout leggings can absorb around two tampons worth – great for light days or back-up when exercising during peak flow.

Keep these on for up to eight hours on light days and 4-6 hours during your heaviest flow. Tested on marathon runners. Enough said.

For many women, says Dr Shree Datta, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, the start of hormonal contraception can trigger breakthrough bleeding, the term given by the experts to pinkish, reddish or brown discharge and spotting in the first few months after beginning birth control.

It can be pretty sucky but it’s nothing to worry about as is just your body’s way of adjusting to the new hormones.

When a fertilised egg takes root in the lining of your womb, it can sometimes trigger pink discharge – called implantation bleeding. (Note: Not all women will experience this). If you’ve had some unexpected spotting and had unprotected sex, watch out for other signs of early pregnancy, including morning sickness, sore boobs and fatigue.

Additionally, pink discharge can occur even if you’re well underway in your pregnancy. According to Dr Datta, it can result from bleeding from the edge of the placenta, particularly if yours is low lying.

‘You may also see it if you have abnormalities on your cervix, or if you have broken your waters,’ Dr Datta says.

‘Later on in pregnancy, pink discharge may represent a show, suggesting you are about to start labour. Regardless of what stage you’re at, it is always important to get checked over to make sure a you and baby are both doing alright.’

This is unlikely, but it's important to be aware. Not all miscarriages present themselves in the form of heavy bleeding, and, according to Dr Datta, for some women, one could look more like pink discharge – underlining the importance of always making the time to get checked out during pregnancy if you're worried about any new signs or sensations. If you are concerned, contact your midwife or doctor.

Had unprotected sex, have pink discharge, not pregnant? It might be that you’ve picked up an sexually transmitted infection, says Dr Datta. Watch out for other symptoms and get yourself checked out at the clinic or with an at-home test as certain STIs, like chlamydia and gonorrhoea, can lead to pelvis inflammatory disease (PID) and infertility if left untreated.

Ovarian cysts can be caused by hormone imbalances, as well as conditions such as endometriosis. As well as pink discharge, you may notice bloating or a feeling of pain or heaviness in your pelvis.

'This is unusual but, for a minority of women, ovarian cysts, which release hormones, can lead to abnormal vaginal bleeding, which increase over time,' Dr Datta says.

If you experience these symptoms, and, even more so if the pain is limited to one side of your pelvis, which could be a sign of an ectopic pregnancy, it's one for your GP.

During the transition to menopause, your ovaries aren’t producing as much oestrogen as they once were which can impact the regularity of your cycle and lead to unexpected pink discharge.

Have you also noticed your vagina isn’t as naturally lubed as it used to be? Or you can’t be arsed with sex at all? Or you’re experiencing night sweats? These can be signs of early menopause, which most commonly happens in one's forties, so ask your GP for blood tests to see what's going on.

Think of this pink discharge as the internal equivalent of bleeding from a scuff or scrape. Vigorous sex, or placing certain objects inside your vagina, can cause irritation and slight bleeding, which may present itself as pink discharge.

'The cervix (neck of the womb) has quite friable tissue that can bleed easily,' says Dr Vandermolen.

'You may also have an ectropion on your cervix, which is when the normal lining of the cervix that is on the inside can be found on the outside of the cervix. This is common and can occur if you take the contraceptive pill or are pregnant. It can bleed easily on contact, such as during intercourse.'

Just be conscious of looking after your body during sex and take a little breather while it heals.

FYI: In rare situations, pink discharge has been associated with cervical cancer so, if you are regularly experiencing bleeding after sex, you should see your doctor to rule it out.

A yeast infection can cause bleeding from your vaginal wall and mingle with the white stuff to create pink discharge.

The takeaway? If your pink discharge is not what's normal for you, it's best to speak to your GP, especially if you don't think you fall into any of the categories above or if you’ve also been experiencing pain during sex, lower back pain, an increased need to wee or blood in your urine or poo.