Types Of Watery Discharge
Watery discharge in itself encompasses a wide range of vaginal discharge types, so lets see what each typically looks like:
Excessive watery discharge like I peed myself
This is pretty common that unexpected feeling of gushing, when youre not sure if your period has started, youve accidentally peed, youre in the mood, or its just a random flood of watery discharge.
You may even feel the need to check your underwear, just to make sure theres no leaking.
Yup, that definitely sounds like sudden excessive watery discharge.
Watery milky white discharge
Now were looking at the color of your watery discharge sometimes it can be clear, other times it can be white and milky-looking.
If you notice a watery discharge thats similar in look to your normal egg-white, creamy discharge, just a bit thinner, youve got some watery milky white discharge.
Clear watery discharge
Not for the type of watery discharge that has you frantically rushing to the bathroom clear watery discharge that feels like you peed yourself.
Now we know the types of watery discharge, lets look at the causes.
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When Should You Seek Help
In the United States, about 10 million women visit gynecologists yearly on account of watery vag*nal discharge. Rarely is clear, watery discharge a sign of a serious underlying condition.
Just as we have mentioned in the earlier paragraph above, STIs could cause abnormal changes in terms of color, odor, consistency, or volume of vag*nal discharge. So, when in doubt, make sure you see your Primary Care physician or gynecologist.
The following signs of abnormal discharge should prompt a visit to your doctor:
- Strong, fishy odor
- Grey, yellow, green, or brownish color
- White, cheesy, or chunky discharge
Watery Discharge And Ovulation
Ovulation typically occurs halfway through the menstrual cycle, roughly 14 days before the first day of the next period. In the lead up to ovulation, discharge may look similar to egg whites and be:
During the lead-up to ovulation, the body makes up to 30 times more mucus than it will following ovulation.
This discharge is more elastic and watery than at other times during the menstrual cycle. Some women may choose to wear panty liners during this time.
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Yellow/greenish Discharge: Causes & Treatment
Yellowish/greenish discharge is often caused by Trichomonas vag*nalis. Hence, the infection is called trichomoniasis. Infection by this pathogen is via sexual means. This infection is also linked to poor personal hygiene.
The good news is that trichomoniasis can be treated medically with medications and vag*nal suppositories. You also need to present your male partner for treatment.
This is because while men do not show symptoms, they are carriers of the pathogens and could re-infect women even after the latter has been duly treated.
Does Discharge Change During The Menstrual Cycle
Vaginal discharge changes throughout your menstrual cycle. Everyone will experience different amounts of discharge.
In the first week after your period, a discharge is not usually present. If there is some discharge, it will probably be quite thick.
In the middle of your cycle, discharge is normally thin and clear. It may look slightly yellow or brownish if it has been in your underwear for a length of time.
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Is Excessive Watery Discharge A Sign That Your Water Broke Or Youre Leaking Amniotic Fluid
If it turns out to be amniotic fluid, excessive watery discharge can be a sign that your water broke or you’re leaking amniotic fluid during your pregnancy.
Thankfully, telling the difference between amniotic fluid and leukorrhea is usually pretty easy. When the discharge is amniotic fluid, it feels like a steady trickle or gush. It also has more of a light yellowish tint than a white one and a thinner consistency than that of leukorrhea.
If you do think you’re leaking amniotic fluid prematurely, call your doctor right away to be checked out. And if it seems to be your water breaking close to your due date, also get in touch with your practitioner.
Even if your water doesnt break , changes to your discharge could indicate that labor isnt far off. Leukorrhea tends to get heavier in the days or hours leading up to labor. And instead of being clear or milky, you might notice that its pink or slightly bloody.
What Should I Do About Abnormal Vaginal Discharge
There are different things you could do about abnormal vaginal discharge, depending on what it is and what causes it.
For yeast infections, you may try antifungal medications like vaginal suppositories and creams. Cold pressing may also help relieve the itching. BV, on the other hand, may be cured by antibiotics prescribed by your healthcare provider.
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How Does Cervical Mucus Change Throughout My Menstrual Cycle
The changes in cervical mucus happen as a result of hormones shifting throughout your menstrual cycle. Estrogen increases before ovulation and makes your cervix produce the fertile, egg white mucus. It’s your body’s way of making it easy for sperm to reach the egg it’s about to release. After ovulation, estrogen levels drop and progesterone levels rise. This rise in progesterone helps the fertilized egg implant into your uterus if conception occurs. However, this causes your cervical mucus to begin to dry up.
If you have a 28-day menstrual cycle, your cervical mucus will generally follow this pattern:
- Days 1-4 after your period ends: Dry or tacky. It can be white or yellow-tinged.
- Days 4-6: Sticky. Slightly damp and white.
- Days 7-9: Creamy, yogurt-like consistency. Wet and cloudy.
- Days 10-14: Stretchy and resembles raw egg whites. Slippery and very wet.
- Days 14-28: Dry until menstruation occurs.
Most women with a 28-day cycle ovulate around day 14. This is why your cervical mucus is slippery, stretchy and highly fertile just before the egg is released.
When To Seek Help
Vaginal discharge is one of the most common reasons women see a gynecologist, amounting to about 10 million office visits per year. Clear, watery discharge, however, is rarely a sign of a problem.
There are several conditions, including infections and STIs, that can cause abnormal discharge. Discharge may be a sign of a problem if there are noticeable changes in color, odor, consistency, or amount.
If youre concerned about your vaginal discharge, you should make an appointment with your primary care doctor, gynecologist, or OB-GYN. If you dont already have an OB-GYN, our Healthline FindCare tool can help you connect to physicians in your area. You can also seek treatment at a sexual health clinic, such as Planned Parenthood.
See your doctor if you have any of these signs of abnormal discharge:
- yellow, gray, or green color
- white and chunky discharge, like cottage cheese
- a strong, fishy, or sour odor
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What You See Isnt Completely Random Even If You Dont Recognize It The Various Hues And Textures Are Related To Your Hormones And What Is Going On Inside Your Body At The Time
We recommend contacting your doctor as soon as possible if you detect any changes or inconsistencies in your bleeding or vaginal discharge before period. Make sure you talk about precisely what you observe and when it happens. For example, you can mention that you see white discharge before your period.
Leukorrhea is the white discharge before period you may observe. Its loaded with fluid and cells shed from your vaginal area, and clear discharge before period can even appear yellow sometimes.
What Causes Cramps No Period And White Discharge
Vaginal discharge is normal. During your menstrual cycle, your vaginal discharge will usually change in colour and texture. A few days before your period starts, your vaginal discharge may be cloudy or white. This means white vaginal discharge and cramping could mean your period is late.
Cramping without a period could also be a sign of irregular periods, endometriosis or uterine fibroids.
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Give Your Vaginal Health A Boost
Now that you know about the most common types of vaginal discharge before periods and after period and why they occur, you may be wondering how to give your female parts the TLC they need to stay healthy. Hertime is a great supplement to help you maintain healthy hormone levels, so you experience normal, natural vaginal secretions as Mother Nature intended. You can also take advantage of our educational blog posts and podcast episodes that teach you how to take care of your body so it will take care of you.
Why Your Vaginal Discharge Is Watery
The amount, typically between 1-4 milliliters daily, can vary from woman to woman and is also known to change during the menstrual cycle, sexual arousal, pregnancy, and menopause. Why does this happen, and what causes this vaginal fluid?
Read on to learn more about watery vaginal discharge, its causes, meaning, and what to do if it changes.
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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.
Is Early Pregnancy Discharge Watery
Sometimes, yes watery discharge can be an early indicator of pregnancy.
But not for everyone some peoples vaginal discharge in early pregnancy can be thicker than usual, whiter than usual, clearer than usual, or even the same.
It really varies for each pregnant person.
What type of discharge indicates pregnancy?
There is no single type of vaginal discharge that indicates pregnancy the best indicator of pregnancy is a pregnancy test.
But if you notice any changes in your pregnancy, that could well be a sign.
And if you dont notice any difference from your normal discharge, dont fret, because that could still be an early sign of pregnancy.
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Why Do I Have Cramps And Discharge But No Period
Cramps and white discharge without a period might occasionally indicate pregnancy. Pelvic inflammatory illness, endometriosis, and infection are all probable reasons. Vaginal discharge is normal, and its texture and color often shift over the menstrual cycle. The absence of pain makes this condition difficult to diagnose based on symptoms alone.
A urine test can confirm whether you’re pregnant. If you don’t have a period by day 15 after the start of your last menstrual period, call your doctor. Your doctor will first check to see if you’re still pregnant by doing a urine test. If the test is positive, then you’ll need to have an ultrasound to find out where most of the pregnancies are located.
What Other Signs Do I Need To Look For
There are many other signs of pregnancy to look out for. If you only have a watery discharge, it may not mean anything, but if you have any other symptoms, you could be onto something.
Other minor signs can include frequent urination, constipation, headaches, changes in mood, and feeling dizzy or faint.
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What Infection Causes Watery Discharge
You usually dont have to worry about watery discharge at all.
On the other hand, if you have a lot more than normal, you can make an appointment to discuss it with your doctor.
Sometimes, discharge can indicate that you have an infection of some kind. Some of the most common ones are:
- A yeast infection, also known as thrush or candida
- Bacterial vaginosis
- A sexually transmitted disease like gonorrhea or chlamydia
In this case, though, the discharge isnt usually watery.
- It might be yellow, white, or greenish, and yeast infections sometimes look lumpy.
- It will probably smell bad normal discharge should smell slightly salty or sour, but an infection often causes a fishy smell.
- It might be bloody, or you might be spotting more than usual in between your periods.
- And if it comes with any soreness, itchiness, pain after sex, or pain when you go to the bathroom, its best to call your doctor to get it checked out.
Watery Discharge During Pregnancy
During pregnancy, your body experiences a lot of hormonal changes. As a result, you may notice a change in your discharge as early as two weeks after conception. Later in pregnancy, as the babys head presses against your cervix, you might notice more discharge and possibly streaks of mucus with a little blood, called show. This is an early sign of labor, and its important to notify your health care provider as soon as you notice it.
Normal discharge, or leukorrhea, is thin and clear, has the consistency of an egg white, a mild smell, and should not soak through a panty liner.
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When Should You Worry About Clear Watery Discharge
You need not worry about clear watery discharge if there is no strong or unpleasant smell. But, any changes to the consistency, amount, and color of vaginal discharge can indicate an infection that needs to be treated. In addition, the infection can be accompanied by other symptoms, like vaginal itching, pain, burning sensation, and swollen vaginal area.
Bacterial Vaginosis:
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One major cause for concern with milky-white watery discharge is that it can be a sign of bacterial vaginosis with a fishy odor.
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The signs of BV can be white or gray vaginal discharge that is watery.
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There may be a milky-white discharge in bacterial vaginosis with a strong smell, which is more evident after sex.
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You may also experience vaginal irritation, swelling around the vaginal opening, and burning while peeing.
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Probiotics can help to boost vaginal health and to treat cases of BV.
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The smell and appearance of the vaginal discharge will disappear once the infection gets resolved.
Other natural remedies to treat bacterial vaginosis are treating it with:
The other causes of clear watery discharge can be:
Query:Hi doctor,I am 11 weeks and 4 days pregnant. I have some sort of discoloration in my vaginal discharge. Initially, it was brown and pink, and later on, it was bright red for three weeks. I have done a transvaginal scan twice and everything is fine. Yesterday, I had my last scan and it was fine. Toda… Read Full »
Causes Of Vaginal Discharge
A single-celled organism known as a protozoan is responsible for this infection Trichomoniasis. It spread through sexual contact and even by common towels and bathing suits. It causes a green or yellow discharge with a foul odor. Itching, inflammation, and pain are also common symptoms.
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Bacterial vaginosis
This infection increases vaginal discharge and has a strong fishy and foul odor. Women with multiple sexual partners and those who receive oral sex are at risk for it.
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Yeast infection, Chlamydia, and Gonorrhea
A yeast infection causes a cheese-like discharge along with itching and burning. Diabetes, stress, pregnancy, birth control pills, and antibiotics can cause this. Chlamydia and Gonorrhea are STIs and can cause a green, yellow, or cloudy discharge.
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Human papillomavirus or cervical cancer
The HPV infection happens because of sexual contact and can cause cervical cancer. Cancer produces a brown, bloody, or watery discharge with a bad odor. Pap smears and testing can screen this.
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Pelvic inflammatory disease
PID infection is also spread through sexual contact and produces a foul-smelling and heavy discharge.
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Why Is There Brown Discharge
Brown discharge is common among most females, especially around two to three days before the periods. In such cases, brown discharge may be a sign of period coming. Some women have brown discharge after their menstrual cycle. This happens when the uterus cleans itself after the periods. There may be very light or no bleeding in such a case. There can be very light discharge for several days after the period ends.
Use of Contraceptives or Hormonal Birth Control can also cause brown vaginal discharge. The uterine lining gets thinner if the female uses hormonal birth control. This condition may result in mild brown discharge even when there is no period. Brown discharge occurs in such a case as the body tries to adapt to the changes in the hormonal levels.
In rare cases, a female may experience brown discharge as a sign of ovulation. When the mature egg breaks open the ovary, there may be slight bleeding. The color of the vaginal discharge can be reddish pink to brown. Sometimes, it also looks brown discharge mixed with clear discharge. The female can also experience abdominal pain and cramps in such situations.
Brown discharge may also be a result of Breakthrough bleeding. There is mild light brown discharge in this case. A female may experience mild brown discharge between period cycles.