Green discharge with a Bartholin cyst

The fluid might be draining from an infected cyst or abscess, but vaginal or cervical discharge can collect nearby and requires a different assessment.

An infected Bartholin cyst can fill with pus and sometimes opens onto the vulval skin. This may reduce pressure temporarily without clearing the infection. Green fluid seen on underwear can also arise from the vagina or cervix, including with some sexually transmitted infections, so colour alone cannot identify the source or organism.

An examination can locate the opening, assess tenderness and swelling, and determine whether a swab or urine test is appropriate. A clinician may also discuss sexual exposure, urinary symptoms, pelvic pain, pregnancy possibility, and medicines to guide safe treatment.

Arrange prompt medical assessment and use a clean pad to observe drainage without inserting anything into the vagina. Gently rinse the external area with water, pat it dry, and wash your hands before and after changing the pad. Avoid douching, fragranced products, and squeezing the lump because these can irritate tissue or spread bacteria.

Until the cause is known, avoid sexual contact or use barrier protection, since some causes of abnormal discharge can pass between partners. Do not use leftover antibiotics: the correct treatment depends on the source, whether an abscess needs drainage, and the testing findings.

Seek same-day care if green discharge accompanies increasing vulval pain, redness, warmth, pus, fever, pelvic pain, pain when urinating, or feeling unwell. Urgent evaluation is needed for severe or rapidly worsening pain, faintness, confusion, vomiting that prevents fluids, difficulty passing urine, or rapidly spreading swelling or redness.

Ask whether discharge is coming from the lump or vagina, whether an abscess is present, and which tests are needed. Find out whether drainage, antibiotics, or both are being recommended, how to protect partners if an infection is found, and which symptoms should trigger urgent reassessment.