A person should also talk to a healthcare provider if they experience the following symptoms in relation to discharge: White and thin or thick discharge is a normal part of the menstrual cycle. If youre experiencing a thick, white discharge that can be described as clumpy or clotted, you may be experiencing discharge from a yeast infection. Vaginal discharge can have a pink tinge, often after sex. Thick, creamy, whitish discharge could indicate an intermediate level of fertility. As long as the milky white discharge does not have an odor and there are no other symptoms, its most likely a sign of typical vaginal health. Depending on the cause of thick white vaginal discharge, the look and feel of discharge can change. If your discharge has an odor, is white-gray, or is clumpier than usual, it could be time to consult your doctor. However, if you use vaginal douche, take broad-spectrum antibiotics, it may disrupt the balance of vaginal cell resulting in yeast infections. Nearly every pregnant woman will experience a milky discharge due to: The discharge is typically odorless. The changes in the color, consistency, and texture of vaginal discharge are associated with your hormones and reflect what is going on inside your body. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. During sex, its normal for your body to increase production of vaginal discharge. Your healthcare provider may ask you about unusual color, texture, and smell, as well as any other symptoms. These hormones include: Vaginal discharge created by the glands in the cervix and vagina is influenced by the change in hormones. Clumpy white and excessive discharge weeks after unsafe sexual intercourse may indicate youre pregnant. What is a Yeast Infection? | Symptoms, Signs and Causes If youre ever worried about your vaginal discharge, talk with a clinician as soon as possible. This article will discuss discharge after your period, as well as how to spot unhealthy discharge and when to call your healthcare provider. The discharge can help clear away bacteria, germs, and dirt. It may also be . Most people who have avaginahave some discharge. Get the facts on Viagra for women, and discover whether the drug is safe for them. If there is a medical cause for the discharge, your provider can recommend the best treatment for the underlying condition. Is it normal to have a little spotting after sex? If these signs or symptoms worsen during your period or with sexual intercourse, be sure to mention that. Medication may be necessary. Beforeovulation (which occurs when an egg is released from your ovaries) and just after your period ends, you may experience brown discharge as your uterus contracts harder to remove endometrial cells. Typically, this discharge will be thick and sticky, too, with no strong odor.. All rights reserved. Pain, inflammation, and itching around the vagina as well as when urinating or having sex are also common signs. But if it occurs with some symptoms, it can indicate an infection. When does it occur? Thick White Discharge: What It Means Thick, white discharge is typical during the menstrual cycle and usually indicate ovulation. Vaginitis - Symptoms & causes - Mayo Clinic Vaginal discharge after your period is typically white, off-white, or pale yellow, but may also be brown or have a pink tinge. Reply. The discharge will be thinner in consistency and may look like egg whites. A person should see a doctor if they notice irregular changes in vaginal discharge or other symptoms that might indicate a reproductive health issue. It happens to me often that I have discharge days after having frequent sex with my boyfriend. Yeast infections are commonly caused by Candida albicans and are common in pregnancy, children, women taking steroids, women using antibiotic prescriptions and females on contraceptives. Human immunodeficiency virus or other conditions that may decrease resistanceto yeast infection. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Planned Parenthood. It usually contains a little bit of blood. What Causes White Discharge Before Your Period? (n.d.). The odor, often described as a fishy odor, might be more obvious after sex. And spotting during early pregnancy can be a sign of miscarriage. van Schalkwyk J, Yudin MH; INFECTIOUS DISEASE COMMITTEE. And heres an important note: Even if youre not having clumpy, white discharge, you could still have a yeast infection. Vaginal discharge is a healthy bodily function resulting from natural changes in estrogen levels. It is either odourless or has a very mild odour. (M.B.B.S) - Written or Reviewed, Cramping pain in the abdomen that may occur before or after your period is late, Light bleeding that is less than your usual period that occurs a week or 3-5 days before your period. How does vaginal discharge change during your menstrual cycle? Can this be a yeast infection or just the deodorant churned from s*x? (2020). This can help you avoid an infection in the days just after your period, when your vagina produces less fluid than it does during the other points of your cycle. 2021 May 4;72(9):1538-1543. doi:10.1093/cid/ciaa260. There is no way to prevent vaginal discharge. 2023 Healthline Media LLC. Most yeast infections lead to itching, burning, and/or redness in or around the vagina. If there is itching, burning, pain during urination, bleeding outside of a period, or a foul odor paired with yellowish, greenish, or grayish-white discharge, it can be a sign of an infection or other health condition. Some people have more of a creamy, yellow discharge, while others dont have any strange discharge at all. Thick white sticky discharge could also be an early sign of pregnancy or changes in your hormones. Here are our top picks for pH balance pills that may help balance your vagina's natural pH level. A person can take steps to keep their vagina healthy and free of infection. What are yeast infection symptoms? It produces a thick and white discharge that looks similar to cottage cheese. Explain your symptoms to your doctor. How To Get Rid Of Yeast Infection-Home Remedy Treatment - Refinery29 What do different types of vaginal discharge mean? Thick White Discharge: Causes, Meaning, Health, and More In the first days of your menstrual cycle, you may experience thin, milky white vaginal discharge. Like other bodily fluids and secretions (sweat, snot, etc. Anyone who experiences bleeding between menstrual periods should see a doctor. Typically, this discharge will be thick and sticky, too, with no strong odor. Vaginal discharge is made up of different kind of cells, produced by the cervix and vagina. Read more About Dr. Dunn A. Abou Chacra L, Fenollar F, Diop K. Bacterial Vaginosis: What Do We Currently Know? Some natural remedies, including boric acid suppositories, are often used to, Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. A person should schedule an appointment with a healthcare provider to find out what is causing the discharge. If your vaginal discharge has a foul odor, it could be a sign of a vaginal infection. And importantly, everyones discharge is different, so theres a broad spectrum of whats considered normal. All Rights Reserved. slightly dark urine/blood & occasionally smells like vitamins. If you have any vaginal discharge that could be from an infection, such as a thick, white, and chunky discharge, or any discharge that is abnormal for you, see your healthcare provider. Leukorrhea during pregnancy is normal and healthy. Thats the case with a yeast infection. Birth control pills. It causes increased vaginal discharge that has a strong, foul, and sometimes fishy odor. When vaginal discharge is accompanied by vaginal itching or burning, it may be a sign of a yeast infection. If youre on antibiotics, it could kill both good and bad bacteria resulting in fungi overgrowth. Vaginal Discharge Color: What's Normal and What Isn't What Does Thick White Discharge Indicate? | New Health Advisor Yeast Infection After Period: Causes and Treatments. It's typically white, although colors like brown or pink can occur. Any medical information published on this website is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional. Though this kind of discharge is a common symptom of a yeast infection, it could also be a normal change in your bodys regular vaginal discharge. What to know about vaginal discharge during pregnancy. Vaginal itching and discharge - adult and adolescent - MedlinePlus It does not cause vaginal itching or smelly vagina. (2020). You can buy an over-the-counter cream to try to clear it up on your own, or your doctor can prescribe a cream or a pill. Here's our color swatch guide to, If you experience discomfort in your genital area or when you urinate, you may have an infection. Thick White Discharge with No Smell: Should I Be Worried? This can occur with implantation bleeding (bleeding that occurs when a . Privacy Policy Stamatiades GA, Carroll RS, Kaiser UB. During ovulation, the discharge or mucus may become very thick and mucus-like. Is the ketogenic diet right for autoimmune conditions? The amount and consistency of your vaginal discharge can change throughout the month due to hormonal fluctuations, but any abnormal discharge should be evaluated. (2019). For bacterial vaginosis, you'll likely need an antibiotic. This article explains what's normal discharge looks like and when discharge may indicate a yeast infection. Yeast occurs naturally in your vagina, but sometimes, it can grow out of whack and cause an imbalance known as a yeast infection. Why Parkinson's research is zooming in on the gut. It can also occur on its own. Disclaimer Having a thick clumpy discharge without smell or itching is normal. Heres more about why you might see white discharge before your period. If you have pain, itching, sore or bleeding along with white vaginal discharge, then it is not normal. Vaginal Discharge: Causes, Types, Diagnosis and Treatment - WebMD These can range from a short course of antibiotics to surgery in rare cases. However, if you get them often or they keep coming back, you should see your provider for treatment and find out if you have a condition like diabetes that can make them more likely to happen. Singapore Med J. 2015;37(3):266-274. doi:10.1016/S1701-2163(15)30316-9. For example, wearing a wet bathing suit too long, douching, or antibiotic use can cause yeast infections. Keeping an eye on your vaginal discharge can help you track whats typical for your body and notice changes as quickly as possible. Infections may cause vaginal discharge to appear thick, white, and clumpy. However, it is abnormal that your discharge during sex becomes itchy, smelly or yellowish green in color. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Connect by text or video with a U.S. board-certified doctor now wait time is less than 1 minute! In the early stages of pregnancy, some people produce a thin, milky white discharge. Is my white chunky discharge due to yeast? The fluids act as natural lubrication to move bacteria, dirt, and germs out of your vaginal cavity. However, its more common to have no or mild symptoms. Throughout a persons menstrual cycle, vaginal discharge can change in consistency and color. Ob/GynOluwatosin Goje, MD, explains this type of discharge and what to do if you begin to experience it. Red discharge is most commonly the result of bleeding during a period. During a womans menstrual cycle, the amount and thickness varies. However, if you are itching down there with yellow or green vaginal discharge, its like you may have an infection. In other words, its a good thing. The amount of discharge can increase from the likes of ovulation, sexual arousal, birth control pills, and pregnancy. Just after this time, vaginal discharge decreases or dries up. A vaginal yeast infection, for instance, produces this consistency of discharge. Anyvaginal itch down there? Coping with vaginal discharge can be as simple as wearing a liner in your underwear. The discharge may start out thinner in the days leading up to ovulation, or when an egg is released. Other symptoms to pay attention to include itchiness and pain in the vagina. Vaginal discharge: evaluation and management in primary care, Postoperative Streptococcus constellatus Bacteremia in a 75-Year-Old Patient with Pyometra: A Case Report. (M.B.B.S) - Written or Reviewed on June 7th, 2017 in. A milky white discharge can also be an early sign of pregnancy. Your email address will not be published. Obstet Gynecol Int. If you experience excessive vaginal discharge, it could be a sign of an underlying condition, and you might need to seek medical care to stop it. Am J Case Rep. 2021 Jun 24;22:e931167. thick, white vaginal discharge with no odor or with a mild odor Less common. Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. When you first notice thick, white discharge, your first reaction might be alarm. Cervical mucus mixes up with dead cells from the wall of your vagina and other organisms like yeast and bacteria, which is constantly removed in discharge. Whats Causing Brown Discharge After My Period? See additional information. Yeast infection. What Causes White Discharge During or After Sex? Thick white discharge with no odor no itching or burning Office on Women's Health. Discharge after sex: Causes, symptoms, and treatment - Medical News Today A person may notice some slight changes throughout their cycle, which are usually due to hormone levels fluctuating. What Does Milky White Vaginal Discharge Mean? Around ovulation, discharge often becomes clearer and wetter. How to decode your vaginal discharge. However, an offensive, foul, or fishy odor may indicate an infection, as does lumpy discharge with symptoms of itching and burning. Any change in the composition of your vaginal flora can cause a change in the consistency of your vaginal discharge.. The color and texture of your discharge may change throughout the course of your menstrual cycle. Can men get or spread bacterial vaginosis? One of the most common symptoms is thick, white, clumpy discharge the texture of cottage cheese. (Read more about him here). But discharge could also be a sign of infection (bacterial vaginosis is common) and can be white, thick, and clumpy with a symptomatic itch. That is odorless and mild. Vaginal discharge: The diagnostic enigma. This brown-tinged discharge may last for a day or two. Some might describe it as off-white, cream, or pale yellow, especially when seeing it dry on undergarments. White Discharge or Thick White Discharge: What Does It Mean? May 10, 2018 at 7:03 am And it's common for the texture and color to change throughout your menstrual cycle. Vaginal discharge is often a white or clear liquid. A person should talk to their doctor about the change in discharge to determine the cause. Everything You Should Know About pH Balance Pills and the Best Options to Take.
