Worried about White Discharge? Is Thick White Discharge Normal (2022)
Vaginal discharge is a common problem every woman experiences that usually appears as a white or clear milky fluid on underwear. Some women have this discharge daily and some have occasionally. The discharge is made up of fluid and cells that get shed through the vagina.
The color, amount, and consistency of discharge change based on the stage of your menstrual cycle. But this discharge is completely different from menstrual blood.
This Discharge fluid can be several things, including :
Cervical mucus: A clear liquid or sometimes gel-like fluid that is produced by the cervix and changes over the course of your menstrual cycle or pregnancy.
Seminal Fluid: A man’s sperm along with some other fluids. It can appear as vaginal discharge if one had intercourse within the last few days – seminal fluid can stay in the vagina for hours after intercourse.
Arousal Fluid: produced when a woman is sexually stimulated, just to lubricate the vagina for comfortable intercourse.This fluid results from an increase in vaginal blood flow that pushes fluid through the vaginal wall.
When an abnormal discharge is present, there are other symptoms depending on what’s causing the discharge. Symptoms might include:
- Itching.
- Burning.
- Irritation.
- Redness.
- Pain during urination and sexual intercourse.
Other Discharge Colors Means
Changes in discharge color, consistency, or odor could indicate that a person has an infection or underlying health problems.
Reddish or brown discharge
A reddish to brown discharge from the vagina typically follows the menstrual cycle. This is the result of the vagina cleaning out the last bit of blood after a period.
If brown discharge usually occurs throughout the cycle, it could indicate some underlying health conditions, such as cervical cancer.
Yellow or green discharge
Yellow or green discharge may indicate a bacterial infection or sexually transmitted infection(STI). In this situation, a person should schedule an appointment with a healthcare provider to know the cause of the discharge.
When to see a doctor
White, clear, and odorless discharge is normal, and should not worry about it. If a person experiences heavy discharge or notices the volume increase each month, they should seek medical advice.
A person should see a healthcare provider if they experience yellow or green discharge as they may have an infection.
Prevention
There is no way to prevent vaginal discharge. It is a normal part of the menstrual cycle.
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A person can take steps to keep their vagina healthy and infection-free. Ways to avoid vaginal infections include :
- Wash your vagina with mild soap.
- wiping front to back.
- Changing pads, tampons frequently throughout the day during menstruation.
- Changing out wet clothes as soon as possible.
- Avoid scented products and sprays around the vagina.
Note: Thick, white discharge is normal. The vagina itself secretes discharge to clean itself and prevent infection.
Every person’s discharge is different is slightly different and also varies throughout the month. However, a person should watch for changes in its volume, consistency, and color as sometimes these changes could be a sign of an infection.
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