What Causes White Discharge Instead Of Period On Birth Control Pills
If you are on birth control medications, a whitish discharge but no period will come as a surprise.
Heres an email I received from one of my readers
Hi Dunn
I need to know if Im pregnant or not.
Im on birth control pill and I am not planning on getting pregnant. I was supposed to start my period yesterday, but when I wipe I notice I have so much clear white discharge.
Is it possible I could be pregnant on the pill?
A birth control pill prevents pregnancy, but nothing is 100 percent perfect. Also, its unlikely you will get pregnant if youve consistently taken your pills routinely at the same time every day.
Depending on the type of birth control pill youre on, your period will be delayed for a long time, and its okay if you have white discharge too.
Its important you notify your health care provider and ask relevant questions about your medications.
Can Clear Vaginal Discharge Be An Early Sign Of Pregnancy
Women who are pregnant tend to have an increased amount of vaginal discharge. In fact, increased clear vaginal discharge can often be one of the earliest signs of pregnancy, sometimes appearing even before a missed period is noticed. Often times, this increased level of discharge continues throughout a pregnancy.
Vaginal Discharge Tips During Pregnancy
- Avoid diagnosing yourself and dont begin treatment unless advised by a health care provider.
Some people notice a lot of discharge during early pregnancy. However, others might have little to no pregnancy discharge. Both are completely normal. We all have different bodies, and not everyone will produce pregnancy discharge. In fact, every pregnancy is different, and the amount of mucus your cervix produces depends on a whole range of factors. Its safe to use panty liners to control pregnancy discharge and feel more comfortable.
Typically, vaginal discharge fluctuates along with changing estrogen levels over the course of your menstrual cycle. Since estrogen levels change during pregnancy, the amount of discharge can change, too. During pregnancy, increased pelvic blood flow also leads to an increased amount of discharge. This means theres no direct link between cervical fluid and pregnancy, and changes in discharge arent a reliable way to detect pregnancy. The only way to confirm your pregnancy is to take a test.
You May Like: How Do You Know When Your Period Is Ending
Can Stress Cause Your Period To Come Late
Stress, which is the feeling of anxiety, can have a very negative effect on your body.
It can cause your hormones to change, it can cause your heart to beat a little faster.
And it can also cause your brain to feel tired.
In fact, the menstrual cycle of a woman is affected by a number of things.
Such as physical and mental health and what happens at home or at work.
When you have stress, your heart races, your blood pressure can go up, you can have anxiety attacks.
And you may also experience mood swings.
Thats why it is always wise to get an overall evaluation of your health.
Mostly, when it comes to determining the right timing for a monthly cycle.
Stress at home or at work is obviously one of the reasons why a womans period comes later than usual.
A woman is likely to be feeling very stressed due to a number of factors.
Such as financial pressures, unfulfilled personal expectations, or even personal problems at home or at work.
It is therefore important to find ways in order to get a clear mind and to relax and this is often difficult.
However, it is still possible for a woman to ensure that she is feeling relaxed enough so that she can relax.
And will, therefore, be able to have a healthy menstrual cycle.
Be certain that you are getting enough sleep each night.
Lack of sleep can easily put a strain on a womans body and can lead to a suddenly missed period.
Also, be sure that you are eating well during the day and drinking plenty of water.
Most Common Early Signs Of Pregnancy
These are the most common early symptoms and signs of pregnancy:
- Missed period If you havent begun menopause and one week or more has passed since you expected your period to start, you may be pregnant.
- Swollen or tender breasts Hormonal changes can make your breasts sore and sensitive early in pregnancy. This discomfort should decrease after a couple of weeks as your body adjusts to various hormonal changes.
- Increased urination You may urinate more often than usual. Starting in the early weeks of pregnancy, the expanding uterus presses on your bladder, causing you to pee more often.
- Nausea with or without vomiting Note that morning sickness, which can strike at any time, usually begins around the 6th week of pregnancy. That being said, many pregnant people can feel nausea a little earlier, and others do not experience it at all.
- Fatigue Fatigue tends to rank high among the many early symptoms of pregnancy.
Also Check: How Many Days After Ovulation Does Period Start
What Causes White Discharge Instead Of Period Negative Pregnancy Test
The fact that youve missed your period for days and have an increased vaginal discharge does not always mean its pregnancy. If youve missed your period, and tested negative to a pregnancy test, it could be something else apart from pregnancy.
Causes of whitish vaginal discharge with a negative pregnancy test are
Other Causes Of Cramping With No Period
Pelvic inflammatory disease
When caught early, PID can be successfully treated with a course of antibiotics. However, if PID is not caught early it can damage your reproductive system, causing infertility, scar tissue formation around your fallopian tubes and chronic pelvic pain.
Common PID symptoms include:
Endometriosis
Endometriosis occurs where tissue similar to the lining of your womb starts to grow elsewhere and attaches to other organs, such as your ovaries and fallopian tubes.
Getting a diagnosis of endometriosis involves talking to your doctor about symptoms, having a pelvic exam and imaging tests. In some cases, you may also need surgery to confirm a diagnosis.
Endometriosis symptoms can be relieved with treatment but there is currently no cure. Treatments include hormone therapies , which can reduce bleeding and pain, and in severe cases, surgery.
Common endometriosis symptoms include:
- Abnormal vaginal bleeding
- Gastrointestinal symptoms this includes constipation, diarrhoea, nausea and abdominal pain, especially just before or during your period
- Severe cramping during your periods
Irritable bowel syndrome
IBS is a common digestive condition that affects more women than men. Common IBS symptoms include:
- Cramps or stomach pain with no period
- Changes in your bowel movements eg constipation
- Lower back pain
- White mucus in your stools
Cervical cancer
Uterine fibroids or polyps
Perimenopause
You May Like: When Will I Ovulate After My Period
What To Expect During Diagnosis
After discussing your symptoms, your provider will perform a pelvic exam.
Your provider may take a small sample of discharge to send to a lab for testing. The lab technician will likely check the pH level. A high pH level means your discharge is more basic. Its easier for bacteria to grow in a more basic environment. This is a pH level above 4.5.
They may also view the sample under a microscope to look for yeast, bacteria, and other infectious substances. An infection can change the texture, amount, or smell of your discharge.
The results of these tests will help your healthcare provider determine whether treatment is necessary, and if so, which treatment is best.
Fluctuations usually result from changing estrogen levels and dont require treatment.
If your doctor diagnoses DIV, they may recommend topical clindamycin or hydrocortisone to help relieve symptoms.
If your symptoms are the result of a fungal or bacterial infection, your doctor will recommend an over-the-counter or prescription topical to soothe irritation and clear the infection.
Treatment options are also available for symptoms that result from a sexually transmitted infection or other cause unrelated to perimenopause.
Physical Or Psychological Stress
Though some stress can help you challenge yourself, too much can have a negative impact on your health. While we dont know much about the relationship between stress and periods, we do know the hypothalamus controls the pituitary gland, which controls the thyroid, adrenal glands, and ovaries. All of these factors work together to manage the hormones that affect your menstrual cycleestrogen, progesterone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and luteinizing hormone.
Stress can throw your hormone levels off and, as a result, leave you with period symptoms but no period. If youre feeling stressed, take some time to learn coping mechanisms, rest, and reset your body and mind.
Other possible signs of stress: Fatigue, change in libido, upset stomach, insomnia.
You May Like: Creative Ways To Tell Your Mom You Got Your Period
Other Causes Of White Discharge
If you have white vaginal discharge but no other symptoms, this is most likely part of your normal menstrual cycle.
However, if the vaginal discharge is not normal for you, then you may have an infection such as bacterial vaginosis or a yeast infection. Other symptoms of an infection include:
- A burning sensation when urinating
- Pain during sex
- Vaginal itching or irritation
Where Do You Feel Implantation Cramps
Not everyone feels cramping during implantation. However, for those who do, theyre usually felt in the same location as menstrual cramps. Many people detect implantation cramping in their lower abdomen or lower back. Sometimes, implantation cramps only manifest on one side of the body.
You May Like: How Do You Know When Your First Period Is Coming
Don’t Miss: Using Birth Control To Regulate Period To Get Pregnant
Menstruation / Menstrual Phase
The menstrual cycle begins with the shedding of the endometrium, or the lining of the uterus, which comes out as menstrual fluid. This contains cells from the uterine lining, blood, and mucus and typically lasts from 3 days to a week. This is when you need sanitary pads or tampons to absorb the menstrual flow.
Just like the menstrual cycle, womens menstruation varies from woman to woman. Whats normal for one woman is not normal for another. In general, during a womans first year or two of getting her period, she may have longer, irregular cycles, while older women have shorter, more predictable cycles. Mind you, it can still change even for women with mostly regular cycles. For example, being on birth control or IUD may change the timing of your menstruation.
Follow My Babys Growth
Changes in vaginal discharge, especially around the time of a missed period, may be a sign of pregnancy. These changes in vaginal discharge can be caused by increased estrogen. This boost of estrogen also stimulates the blood flow to your pelvic area, which ultimately leads to increased discharge.
If your period is several days late, a pregnancy test can confirm if youre pregnant. Relying solely on cervical discharge is not an accurate way to determine if youre pregnant.
You May Like: How To Calculate When Next Period Is Due
What Do Implantation Cramps Feel Like
Some women mistake implantation for their premenstrual cramps, especially because it generally happens around the same time most women would expect their next menstrual cycle to begin.
To make matters more confusing. both types of cramps are usually mild to moderate. Some say implantation cramps can be differentiated from menstrual cramps if you experience the following sensations:
- tingling feeling
If you experience any sharp, persistent pain, talk to your healthcare provider, as this could be a sign of something more serious.
The worlds first natural pregnancy week-by-week.
#1 bestseller.
Pregnant Or Not Pregnant
Having pregnancy-like symptoms such as a missed period, cramping, and white discharge doesnt always mean youre pregnant. Likewise, getting a negative pregnancy test result doesnt mean youre not. Its responsible to take extra steps to ensure that your body is healthy. and these symptoms are not a sign of something more serious.
If this is the case, we hope that you get the necessary help you can get as soon as possible. If you eventually find out that your symptoms of missed period negative pregnancy test cramping white discharge mean that you are pregnant, then we are happy for you and hope that you have a healthy pregnancy. If you still have questions about the unexplained changes youre experiencing, you should talk with your doctor about your worries and concerns. Its always best to get expert medical advice and, if necessary, the tests that will help determine what your condition is.
Don’t Miss: Get Rid Of Period Cramps Fast
Elevated Basal Body Temperature
An elevation in your body temperature, also known as your basal body temperature, can be an early signifier of pregnancy as well. Typically, the basal body temperature rises around ovulation as progesterone hormone levels rise and then drops when you begin your period. After conception, your basal body temperature will stay elevated from ovulation and throughout your pregnancy. If it has been over two weeks of consecutive days with a high temperature, you could be pregnant. Taking an at-home pregnancy test will best determine this.
Missed Period Negative Pregnancy Test And White Discharge Can I Still Be Pregnant
Yes, theres still a possibility. The levels of hCG vary among pregnancies. Its possible that you took the test too early or before your hCGs reached levels detectable by a home pregnancy test. You should try again after a few days.
If you want to know for sure as soon as possible, you should visit a clinic or hospital for a pregnancy blood test. A beta-hCG or quantitative blood test is more accurate than a urine test.
Also Check: Are You Supposed To Take Birth Control On Your Period
Most Common Reasons For Missed Period Negative Pregnancy Test Cramping White Discharge
A one-week late period doesnt always indicate pregnancy. At the same time, a negative pregnancy test doesnt automatically mean youre not pregnant. Most women receive a true positive pregnancy test after 3 weeks of pregnancy, while others get a clear result at the first try. The only way to be sure if youre pregnant is to take a pregnancy test at the right timing or to do a more accurate pregnancy blood test.
If youre experiencing a missed period, cramping, and white discharge with a negative pregnancy test, here are the most common reasons that could explain your condition.
Changes In The Breasts
Breast changes are among the most common early signs of pregnancy. Because our hormones change rapidly after conception, this will cause breasts to feel full and become sore, swollen, tingly, and tender not long afterward. In addition to this symptom of pregnancy before period, your areolas, which is the area around the nipple, may get darker. Little bumps may appear on the areolas as well, signifying the glands that will lubricate your nipples for nursing. Many factors play into breast changes, but know that if these changes are caused by early pregnancy, it will take some time to adjust to the changes in your hormone levels.
You May Like: Period For 2 Weeks With Blood Clots
Cramps But No Period: Causes And Treatments
Jenny Hills, Nutritionist and Medical Writer Health
Many women experience menstrual cramps just before or during their period. So, having abdominal cramping but no period can cause worry and anxiety. The reasons for stomach cramps with no period are usually connected with a womans reproductive system. So, pregnancy, ovulation, or a more serious condition of the womb like endometriosis can all cause cramps but no period. However, abdominal cramps with no menstruation can also be caused by digestive problems, appendicitis, or even stress.
Menstrual cramps happen when the uterus contracts to get rid of its lining. This usually happens in the few days before or just at the onset of the menstrual period.
The pain associated with menstrual cramping can range from mild with no impact on daily activities to an intense throbbing pain that lasts for a few days. According to Dr. Kecia Gaither on WebMD, severe menstrual cramps can even cause an upset stomach, vomiting and loose stools.1
In this article, I will look at the various reasons why you can experience cramping with no period. This will help you identify the reasons why the period-like cramping occurs. You will also find some helpful home treatments to get a relief from pain in the lower abdominal region.
You’ve Missed Your Period
Yeah, so, you probably knew this one. When youre pregnant, your menstrual cycle shifts as your body maintains its thickened uterine lining to feed your fetus. So it stands to reason that if you miss your period, you could be pregnant. However, there are many other reasons why your period could be late or you could skip a round including stress. And if you are stressed that you might be pregnant when you dont want to be, you could end up giving yourself this symptom in a cruel feedback loop.
Recommended Reading: Can You Have Pregnancy Symptoms Before Missed Period
Diagnosis And Tests For A Late Period And Pregnancy
There are both at-home tests and blood tests available to determine if pregnancy has occurred. Both are considered safe methods of detecting pregnancy.
- At-home tests: These test your urine for a pregnancy hormone called hCG. At-home tests are easy, quick, and convenient. However, they are not able to detect pregnancy as early as blood tests. They are most accurate if you wait one week after a missed period to use them.
- Blood tests: Blood tests require a visit to your doctor. But they can detect pregnancy much earlier than at-home tests.
Period Pain Caused By A Medical Condition
Less commonly, period pain can be caused by an underlying medical condition.
Period pain linked to an underlying medical condition tends to affect older women. Women aged 30 to 45 are most commonly affected.
Medical conditions that can cause period pain include:
- endometriosis where cells that normally line the womb grow in other places, such as in the fallopian tubes and ovaries these cells can cause intense pain when they shed
- fibroids non-cancerous tumours that can grow in or around the womb and can make your periods heavy and painful
- pelvic inflammatory disease where your womb, fallopian tubes and ovaries become infected with bacteria, causing them to become severely inflamed
- adenomyosis where the tissue that normally lines the womb starts to grow within the muscular womb wall, making your periods particularly painful
You May Like: How To Have Sex On Your Period