Vaginal discharge is a regular and normal part of the menstrual cycle, and in most cases, women shouldn’t be concerned if the color and consistency of the discharge change slightly throughout the month. Still, certain types of discharge may indicate underlying medical conditions that need to be addressed.
As a matter of fact, many women will experience white, thick discharge before their period. This is entirely normal and healthy unless the discharge has a foul smell and is lumpy.
In this article, we will go over all the cases when white vaginal discharge should concern you.
On that note, if you are looking for your best options regarding obstetrics and gynecology in South Miami, Florida, feel free to reach out to us after reading this article.
White Discharge Before Periods
Medical experts refer to normal vaginal discharge as leukorrhea. This is a secretion comprised of bacteria and fluid from the vaginal walls. The majority of women will typically produce around four milliliters or a teaspoon of clear or white vaginal discharge every day.
Before their period, women might notice their discharge becoming white or cloudy. This is mainly due to the increased levels of progesterone, a hormone that’s involved in pregnancy and the menstrual cycle. In the remaining periods of the menstrual cycle, vaginal discharge is usually more watery and clear because of the higher estrogen levels in the body.
The role of vaginal discharge is to remove unwanted bacteria from the vagina and lubricate it, and it may also help women track their cycles more effectively.
The Leading Causes of White Discharge
The following conditions may lead to white discharge.
Yeast Infections
Otherwise known as candidiasis, yeast infections are pretty common among women, with around 75% of them experiencing the condition at least once in their lifetime.
To help differentiate between normal white discharge and yeast infection discharge, women should know that the latter will often resemble cottage cheese with a thick, lumpy, and white consistency. Naturally, the infection will also manifest in other symptoms as well such as burning and itching sensations in or around the vagina.
STIs or Sexually Transmitted Infections
Many STIs may lead to changes in a woman’s vaginal discharge, especially infections like trichomoniasis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia.
The discharge caused by the latter two infections is closer to yellow than white, but some women may not see any changes at all in this area. In the case of trichomoniasis, the discharge can be yellowish-green, accompanied by a fishy odor and itching.
Hormonal Birth Control
Birth control pills and other hormone-based products may lead to more discharge because of the effects these compounds have on hormone levels. The increase in leukorrhea shouldn’t be concerning for women using these birth control methods unless they are experiencing other uncomfortable symptoms.
Bacterial Vaginosis
Around 30% of women of childbearing age have BV or bacterial vaginosis, which develops from bacterial imbalances in the vaginal area.
For the most part, BV can be linked to having several sexual partners and douching. With BV, the discharge is more grayish-white and tends to have a fishy smell.
Normal Reproductive Function
White discharge can also be regularly observed at the beginning and end of menstruation. The consistency of the vaginal discharge is usually odorless, stretchy, and thin, without any itching.
There are also cases when women experience an increase in discharge before their period is due, which can also be an early sign of pregnancy. As a matter of fact, one way to tell whether a woman is in her luteal phase is to observe her vaginal discharge. During ovulation, the discharge is usually slippery and wet. Still, in the luteal phase (in which the body prepares your uterus for pregnancy by thickening the uterine lining), the vaginal secretion may become thick, paste-like, and dry.
Discharge During the Menstrual Cycle
As hinted above, vaginal discharge will typically change throughout the entire cycle. At each stage, women may observe the following changes:
- During ovulation, the discharge will typically be watery, clear, and stretchy. The thin consistency helps sperm travel to the egg. Before ovulation takes place, there’s more discharge, even up to 30 times more than normal.
- After ovulation, the secretion may appear white due to high progesterone levels and may last up to around 14 days. It’s also often sticky, but there’s much less of it than before ovulation.
- Just before the period, the discharge may be white with a yellow tint to it.
- Right after the period, vaginal discharge may even be a bit brownish, which is blood leaving the vagina. After this, a few days may pass without any discharge.
Types of Vaginal Discharge
- Clear discharge is normal and may often occur after exercise, during sex, ovulation, and pregnancy.
- Green and yellow discharge; light yellow usually isn’t a problem, while green and dark yellow usually indicate infections.
- Gray usually indicates bacterial vaginosis, and treatment may be necessary.
- Pink discharge may occur after sex or at the beginning of a period. A visit to the doctor may be necessary if the pink discharge occurs and isn’t related to these.
- Brown or red discharge may also be considered normal right after or before a period. During any other times of the menstrual cycle, it may suggest an infection.
When Is Seeing a Doctor Necessary?
It’s normal for vaginal discharge to change its consistency and color during the menstrual cycle. Most often, the discharge from the vagina just before a period will usually be white. However, seeing a healthcare provider is the best idea if any type of discharge becomes persistent and lasts longer than a month.
As such, consult with a doctor if you are experiencing the following symptoms:
- Pain and burning around or in the vagina
- Rashes
- Redness
- Frothy or lumpy discharge
- Sores
- Swelling
- Foul-smelling and strong discharge
Treatment Options
Abnormal discharge can usually be effectively managed through simple home remedies, medication, or a combination of the two.
Medications may be over-the-counter products or antifungal drugs that may be taken orally or as a suppository. In the case of BV and STIs, doctors will mostly recommend antibiotics.
Regarding home remedies, there are a couple of lifestyle changes that can promote a healthy vaginal environment:
- Keeping the outer area of your genitals dry and clean to avoid bacteria and odors
- Wearing underwear with breathable materials and avoiding pantyhose
- Avoiding synthetic and tight clothes as they may increase the risk of vaginal infections
- Using panty liners for comfort and absorption of excess moisture during ovulation when discharge is heavier
- Wiping from front to back to prevent the bacteria from the anus from spreading to the vagina
- Avoiding douching and tampons as both can introduce microbes to the vagina, increasing infection risks
- Not using scented products in the vaginal area
- Using probiotics as these may encourage healthy vaginal flora
- Switching to barrier contraception like condoms
Keep an Eye on What’s Happening
While white discharge is entirely normal, women are encouraged to track the consistency of their vaginal secretions, mainly because the chances of vaginal infections are generally high. Taking timely notes of unusual changes can help eliminate any issue before becoming overly uncomfortable.
For more information and advice, feel free to reach out to our practice and schedule an appointment. We strive to answer all of your questions and concerns.