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Dr. Aditya Shah
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Pregnancy is a period of a woman’s life when her body goes through many changes. One of the changes that you may have noticed as well is the discharge of a white colored liquid substance from the vagina.
As most women are not sure of what this means, they may be worried. However, as per studies and recommendations, there is no need to worry about something bad immediately.
In this blog post, we are going to give you an idea of pregnancy discharge during the early months of pregnancy, what it means, and if there is any way to stop or cure it.
White Discharge During Pregnancy- Wondering What It Is
During early pregnancy, vaginal discharge is a common sign. Termed as leucorrhea by the doctors, it is typically thin, and the color is typically that of milk white. Some studies show that this fluid may have a light scent in it, but in most cases, it is odorless.
Cause Of Vaginal Discharge During Early Pregnancy
So, what causes this vaginal discharge during early pregnancy? Studies from the National Institute of Health in the US for Women show that it occurs mainly because of an increase in hormones such as estrogen and progesterone.
It mostly occurs because the walls of the cervix and the uterus region begin to thicken and form this liquid, which is transmitted from the vagina.
What To Expect From Vaginal Discharge?
Here are a few brief points for pregnant mothers on what they should expect from this vaginal discharge, which typically occurs within weeks of getting pregnant.
➯ Slow Increase In Volume For The Next Couple Of Days
You may start to notice that the amount of this fluid secretion increases over the next couple of days. As per scientists, this can occur over several days or even weeks.
➯ Thin And Milky White
The discharge from the vagina is typically thin, almost like water, and has a milky white appearance. It generally does not contain any traces of blood or other lumpy parts.
➯ Mild Cramps And Spotting
Even though it is not common, some women can experience spotting. This is typically a form of light pink or brown discharge. You can also get some mild cramps around the lower belly and back area.
Important Considerations For White Discharge
While white fluid discharge from the vagina is common during the times of pregnancy, this only sign that the female is pregnant. The doctors always recommend that you conduct a home pregnancy test using proper kits.
➯ Color Changes And Odors Are Serious Issues
If you notice any change in regards to the thickness of the liquid, getting thicker or changing color to green or yellow, it is generally a sign of infection. Get to the doctor’s immediately if it occurs.
Healthy Vs Unhealthy Vaginal Discharge
As we told you above, healthy discharge from the vagina has a typical white color to it and is generally thinner.
However, notice these signs, which can indicate an unhealthy vaginal discharge-
- Foul smells
- Green and yellowish color
- Lumpy texture
- Itching around the vagina during secretion
- Severe pain during urination
Get in touch with a doctor immediately if you notice any of these signs. It can indicate many things, such as vaginal infections, PCOS, or even early signs of uterine or vaginal cancer.
What Type Of Infection Indicates An Unhealthy Vaginal Discharge?
See, a vaginal discharge, depending on the color and texture, can indicate different types of infections, STIs, and so on. Here is a breakdown by color of the vaginal discharge-
- Thick, chunky candida infection, a yeast infection that can also occur during pregnancy.
- Fishy smell- bacterial Vaginosis
- Green, yellow, or frothy texture- Trichomoniasis
- Yellow discharge with pain or bleeding- chlamydia or gonorrhea
- Other discharge- genital herpes
Other Signs To Note During Pregnancy, Other Than Vaginal Discharge
While white discharge is a good sign of pregnancy, it is not always one to confirm your pregnancy. There are other signs to look at along with vaginal discharge, too.
Here is a list of other signs that help you track if you are pregnant-
- Tenderness in the breasts
- Swelling of breasts
- Cravings for foods
- Fatigue
- Urge for urination often.
- Headache
- Constipation
- Heartburn
- Mood swings
- Sudden weight gain
Discharge Before Periods- What Does It Look Like?
Now that you have some idea about vaginal discharge during pregnancy, let us find out the ones that typically occur during or before periods.
Even before menstruation begins, women also go through a round of major hormonal changes. Here are a few characteristics of pre-menstrual discharge-
➥ Thicker Consistency
This discharge is often more viscous and thicker, and creamy.
➥ Cloudy And Translucent Appearance
The color of the fluid during pre-menstrual discharge is typically cloudy, which is a sign of falling estrogen levels in your body.
➥ Reduced Volume Before The Start Of Periods
As your time for periods near this discharge will typically get shorter and stop completely during the onset of periods.
Final Thoughts
Therefore, as you can see in this article, we have given you a complete idea about the type of vaginal discharge and what it means. We have also typically told you how discharge during pregnancy is different from these.
FAQs
Q. When To Tell The Doctor About Vaginal Discharge?
Well, we always suggest you tell the doctors immediately or within a few days of finding vagina discharge.
This helps the doctors to get enough time to diagnose the type of secretion using different lab tests and find out if you are pregnant or if this discharge is because of an infection.
Q. Do Fibroids Have Any Relation To Discharge?
Fibroids do have an impact on the type or consistency of the vaginal discharge. Remember that there is nothing to worry about, as these are non-cancerous.
It mostly occurs until the time of menopause, until the ovaries stop producing eggs.
Q. How To Manage The Issues?
Doctors will generally tell you to monitor the amount of discharge, take notes of the time it occurs, and tell you to check the amount.
Typically, they will also tell you to spot the color, texture, and odor of the liquid.