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Have you ever noticed a bit of discharge in your underwear and gotten worried?
Well, we’re here to tell you that vaginal discharge is completely normal. It’s part of the regular hormonal changes you experience throughout your menstrual cycle.
In fact, discharge is a sign that your vagina is doing its job to stay healthy and clean itself!
Occasionally, this discharge can appear creamy and white. And most of the time, that’s fine. But now and then, changes in your vaginal discharge could be a sign of something else going on, like an infection.
So, let’s take a closer look at what normal vaginal discharge looks like. We’ll also explore why you might have creamy white discharge and when you should talk to a doctor or healthcare provider.
Key Takeaways
- Normal vaginal discharge is typically clear, white, or off-white. It has a mild smell, and its amount varies.
- Creamy white discharge is usually normal. It’s linked to hormonal changes throughout your menstrual cycle.
- Changes in vaginal discharge can happen during ovulation and pregnancy.
- But sometimes changes can be a sign of infection. These include any changes in color, foul odor, or other symptoms like itching or pelvic pain.
- Vaginal infections that can cause a creamy white discharge include yeast infections and bacterial vaginosis.
- Practicing good hygiene helps maintain a healthy vagina and prevent infection.
- Talk to your doctor if you notice abnormal vaginal discharge or other concerning symptoms.
What is Vaginal Discharge?
Think of vaginal discharge as any fluid that comes out of your vaginal opening that isn’t your period.
This discharge is a mix of a few things:
- Vaginal fluid: This is the natural lubrication fluid made by your vagina.
- Cervical mucus: This fluid is made by your cervix. (Your cervix is the lower part of the uterus that opens into the vagina.) Its quantity and consistency change throughout your menstrual cycle.
- Old cells: Your skin sheds old cells. And guess what? Your vagina and cervix do, too. These come out in the discharge.
- Sperm: If you’ve had sex, sperm can also be a part of the discharge.
What Does Normal Vaginal Discharge Look Like?
So, what does normal discharge look and feel like?
It can be different for everyone. And it can even change throughout your menstrual cycle. Generally, normal discharge has these characteristics.
Appearance
It can be clear, white, or off-white. Sometimes, it might be also be a more watery milky white vaginal discharge.
Consistency
It can be thin and watery, creamy, or even sticky.
Since cervical mucus is a component of vaginal discharge, changes in the consistency of cervical mucus is reflected in vaginal discharge. For example, during ovulation, it can look like raw egg whites. (This is often called egg white discharge.)
Know more: Positive Ovulation Test But No Egg White Cervical Mucus
You might also notice more thick white discharge after ovulation is over.
Smell
Normal discharge shouldn’t have a strong or foul odor. It might have a very mild smell. It should ideally be something you don’t really notice.
Quantity
On average, women have about 1-4 mL each day, but this can change.
But you might have more discharge when:
- You’re ovulating
- During pregnancy
- If you have an infection
What are The Causes of Creamy White Discharge?
Having creamy white discharge is often just a normal part of your menstrual cycle and other natural changes in your body.
Here are some common, normal reasons why you might see creamy white discharge.
Normal causes
1. Increasing estrogen levels
Your hormone levels (especially estrogen levels) change throughout your menstrual cycle.
These hormonal changes affect the amount and type of vaginal discharge you have.
After your period, when estrogen levels are lower, you might have very little discharge. And it might be dry or sticky.
As your estrogen levels start to go up again, your discharge can become clearer, more creamy, and feel wet.
Closer to ovulation, you might notice egg white discharge.
Then, after ovulation, during the luteal phase, your vaginal discharge might become creamy again. This is because estrogen levels have a slight rise in the middle of this phase. Or, post-ovulation, your luteal phase discharge could go back to being dry or sticky.
Know more: Luteal Phase Discharge: What It’s Telling You
2. Pregnancy
You might also notice an increase in vaginal discharge during pregnancy.
This is due to increased estrogen levels, more blood flow to your pelvic area, and thickening of the vaginal tissues.
This white vaginal discharge is usually thin, white or clear and doesn’t have a strong smell. It actually helps to protect your developing baby from infection.
However, if you notice any changes in the color, smell, or consistency, you’ll want to talk to your healthcare provider. It could be a sign of an infection.
Some women wonder if creamy white discharge after ovulation is a sure-shot indicator of pregnancy. While an increase in discharge can happen in early pregnancy, it’s not the only sign. So, it’s important to take a pregnancy test to know for sure.
Know more: Can I Use My Cervical Mucus to Predict Early Pregnancy?
Some women also wonder about discharge before their period vs. early pregnancy.
Both can have increased white discharge. But, early pregnancy discharge is often more consistent. Discharge before your period changes with your hormone levels in the luteal phase.
Also, note that implantation bleeding is different from discharge. This bleeding is light spotting that can happen when a fertilized egg gets implanted within the uterus.
Know more: Implantation bleeding Vs Periods | What Does Implantation Bleeding Look Like?
3. Sexual arousal
When you get sexually aroused, you’ll likely notice more discharge. This is your body’s way of getting ready for sex by providing natural lubrication.
After sex, it’s also normal to have discharge that’s clearer or a little milky. That’s because of this lubrication and other vaginal secretions.
You might also notice discharge after sex that’s mixed with semen.
4. Exercise
Some women notice they have more discharge after exercising. This is usually clear or whitish and can be watery or creamy.
We don’t know exactly why this happens, but it could be from:
- Increased sweat
- Friction in the pelvic area
- Changes in abdominal pressure
Abnormal causes
Creamy white discharge is often normal. But, sometimes changes in it can be a sign of infection or another issue.
Here are some abnormal discharge causes:
1. Yeast infection
Yeast infections are a very common cause of vaginal infections. Up to 75% of women experience a vaginal yeast infection at least one time in their life.
These infections happen when there’s an overgrowth of a type of fungus (Candida) that naturally lives in your vagina.
With a yeast infection, it’s often a thick white discharge that is cottage cheese-like.
It usually doesn’t have a foul odor, but it’s often followed by other symptoms such as:
- Intense burning or itching in your pelvic area
- Intense burning or itching around your vaginal opening
Know more: Can Yeast Infections Cause Infertility? The Truth
2. Bacterial vaginosis (BV)
This is another very common type of vaginal infection. It happens when there’s an imbalance in the bacteria that normally live in your vagina.
It’s estimated that 20-30% of women of reproductive age experience BV. The discharge with BV is often grayish or white. It can have a sturgeon, fishy, foul smell, too. You might also experience itching.
3. Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
Several sexually transmitted infections can cause changes in vaginal discharge.
These changes can include:
- A different color (like yellow or green)
- A foul odor
- Pelvic pain
- Pain during urination
- Pain during sex
When to See a Doctor?
It’s important to pay attention to your vaginal discharge and notice if anything changes. You should see a doctor or healthcare professional if you experience any of the following:
Changes in the color of your discharge (especially if it’s green discharge or brown discharge)
- A significant increase in the amount of discharge
- A foul-smelling odor
- Discharge accompanied by other
- symptoms like:
- Itching
- Burning
- Pelvic pain
- Pain during sex
- Pain when you pee
These symptoms could be a sign of an infection that requires treatment from a doctor. They might perform a pelvic exam to check things out and run some tests to see what’s going on.
Most vaginal infections are easily treatable with things like antifungal medications (yeast infection) or antibiotics (bacterial vaginosis).
How can I Manage Vaginal Discharge?
Having normal vaginal discharge is a good thing!
It means your reproductive system is working to keep your vagina clean and help prevent infection.
Here are some tips for managing vaginal discharge.
1. Wear cotton underwear
Cotton is breathable, so it helps keep the pelvic area dry. Avoid tight underwear made of synthetic materials.
2. Use pads or pantyliners
If the amount of vaginal discharge bothers you, you can use pads or pantyliners. These will help absorb it and prevent staining your clothes.
However, don’t use tampons or menstrual cups for discharge if you’re not on your period. And don’t insert anything else into your vagina unless your doctor tells you to.
3. Don’t douche
Douching can disrupt the natural balance of bacteria in your vagina. This makes it more likely that you’ll get vaginal infections.
Your vagina is self-cleaning and doesn’t need douching.
4. Avoid vaginal wipes and harsh soaps
These products can also change the natural pH of your vagina and increase your risk of infection.
Just use mild soap and water on the outside of your vagina when you shower.
Know more: Why Normal Vaginal pH Is Important? A Guide
FAQs
Discharge before your period is normal. It’s related to the hormonal changes that happen as your body preps for menstruation.
In the days leading up to your period, you might notice your discharge becomes thicker. It may even be creamy or sticky. This is mainly due to a decline in estrogen levels post-ovulation.
The color is usually white or off-white. And this type of discharge helps protect the vagina.
Creamy white discharge is often a normal part of your cycle. It’s most common in the phase right before ovulation. This is when estrogen starts to rise. And this rise causes the cervix to produce more mucus.
It can also be common after ovulation, during the midluteal phase, as hormone levels fluctuate.
However, if this thick white discharge is accompanied by itching or looks like cottage cheese, it could be a sign of a yeast infection.
It’s normal to have increased vaginal discharge during pregnancy. It’s called leukorrhea, and it’s caused by a boost in estrogen levels and increased blood flow to the pelvic area.
Pregnancy discharge is typically thin, clear, or milky white. It should have a mild odor or no smell at all.
If the color, smell, or consistency changes, it could mean an infection. This is especially true if it becomes yellow or green or has a foul odor. Talk to your healthcare provider if this is the case.
Egg white discharge is a type of cervical mucus that’s clear, slippery, and stretchy. It looks like raw egg whites.
This type of discharge usually appears around the time of ovulation. It’s a sign that you’re most fertile. The consistency of your discharge at this time helps sperm travel more easily to the egg.
Sperm and semen that comes out of a woman’s vagina the day after intercourse can vary in appearance. It’s usually mixed with normal vaginal discharge.
It might look sticky or jelly-like. Or it could be a thin, clear, or milky fluid.
The semen that carries the sperm has a consistency similar to raw egg whites. But it liquifies within 15-20 minutes.
The next day, you’re likely seeing a combination of liquified semen and vaginal secretions.
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