Increased vaginal discharge is common and usually normal, often due to hormonal changes from the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, or sexual arousal. However, significant changes in the amount, color, consistency, or smell, especially with other symptoms like itching or pain, could indicate an infection or other health issue that requires medical attention.
Excess vaginal discharge can occur as a result of ovulation, arousal, or infections. Typical vaginal discharge ranges in color from clear to white of off-white. The consistency of vaginal discharge also varies from thin and watery to thick and sticky. Generally, healthy vaginal discharge should be relatively odorless.
The fluid flows out of the vagina each day, cleansing old cells that have lined the vagina. This is a completely natural process—it's your body's way of keeping your vagina healthy and clean. Discharge varies from woman to woman. Some women have discharge every day, while others experience it less frequently.
However, abnormal vaginal discharge may be prevented by following these tips.
Scratches or wounds in the vagina due to infection can also cause vaginal discharge without any clear or particular odor. Another cause of odorless vaginal discharge is hormonal changes during pregnancy. In this case, there will be increased vaginal discharge, and it may be clear in appearance and odorless.
You can get vaginal discharge at any age. The amount of discharge varies. You usually get heavier discharge during pregnancy, if you're sexually active or if you're using birth control. It's often slippery and wet for a few days between your periods (when you ovulate).
Almost all cervical cancers are thought to be caused by HPV infections. While there are often no signs of early cervical cancer, some signs may include: Increased vaginal discharge, which may be pale, watery, pink, brown, bloody, or foul-smelling.
Cleanliness and Hygiene
Key Takeaways. Watery discharge is normal and can happen around ovulation or during pregnancy. If discharge changes color or has an unusual smell, see a healthcare provider as it could be an infection. Avoid douching because it can disrupt vaginal health and increase infection risk.
Chlamydia or Gonorrhea
They also produce an abnormal discharge, as do yeast infections, but there are some notable differences in the discharge. While yeast infections produce thick, white, cottage-cheese like discharge, Chlamydia can cause white, green or yellow discharge. Gonorrhea discharge is white or green.
Schedule a visit with your health care provider if you have: Greenish, yellowish, thick or cheesy vaginal discharge. Strong vaginal odor. Itching, burning or irritation of your vagina or of the area of skin that surrounds the vagina and urethra, also called the vulva.
Up to one teaspoon (4 millimeters) of vaginal discharge per day is considered normal. 1 However, "normal" differs for each person, and some people regularly produce more than this. What's most important is to know what is normal for you and what may seem like excessive discharge.
Normal vaginal discharge should be clear or white. It shouldn't smell bad, and its thickness may change throughout your menstrual cycle. Other characteristics of vaginal discharge include: Texture: It's normal to have vaginal discharge that ranges from watery and sticky to gooey, thick and pasty.
HPV that affects your genitals doesn't usually cause symptoms. When symptoms do occur, the most common sign of the virus is warts in your genital area. Genital warts are rough, cauliflower-like lumps that grow on your skin. They may also appear like skin tags.
Type 4 – high fertility
Appearance: mucus is transparent, like raw egg white, stretchy/elastic, liquid, watery, or reddish.
While a number of factors may cause abnormal vaginal discharge, it is usually an infection that upsets the natural balance of yeast and bacteria in the vagina. Other causes may include: Chemicals in creams or sprays.
Higher estrogen levels can increase vaginal wetness by causing the Bartholin glands to produce more fluid. People on hormone treatments, such as those taking hormone replacement therapy, may notice an increase in vaginal wetness. Some people use vaginal estrogen to increase vaginal wetness.
It's perfectly normal to have discharge. Vaginal discharge keeps the vagina clean and moist, and helps prevent and fight infections. The color, texture, and amount of discharge can change during your menstrual cycle (the time from one period to the next).
Symptoms
Symptoms of bacterial vaginosis include: an unusual vaginal discharge that has a strong fishy smell, particularly after sex. a change to the colour and consistency of your discharge, such as becoming greyish-white and thin and watery.
Your mucus is thick, white and dry before ovulation (when your ovary releases an egg). Just before ovulation, your cervical mucus will turn clear and slippery. This consistency makes it easy for sperm to swim up to meet an egg.
Watery vaginal discharge is usually harmless, but if you notice a change in the amount or consistency of discharge, it may be caused by an infection or combination of infections. The telltale signs are the color of the discharge and the associated symptoms.