Period FAQs

does a lot of discharge mean your period is coming

by Dr. Elias Zemlak Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
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Yes, a thick, white, creamy discharge typically means your period is coming. It’s the result of elevated levels of progesterone, a hormone governing both pregnancy and the menstrual cycle. This type of vaginal discharge is believed to be normal as long as it isn’t lumpy or foul smelling.

Vaginal discharge is normal, and it typically changes texture and color throughout the menstrual cycle. It is common for discharge to be cloudy or white several days before a period starts. Cramps and white discharge could, therefore, indicate a late period rather than pregnancy.Sep 9, 2020

Full Answer

How long should you have your discharge before your period?

I've never had my period, so what's this discharge? About 6 months to 1 year before a girl gets her first period, her body may start to make vaginal discharge. This is normal and due to changing hormone levels. The discharge helps keep the vagina healthy.

Does discharge get heavier before your period?

What causes heavy discharge before period? If you experience heavy discharge just before your period, then it could be a sign of pregnancy. However, it is possible to still have thick discharge before period without pregnancy. During your menstrual cycle, progesterone level decreases at 4 to 5 days just before your next period. This causes your vaginal discharge to reduce with dry vagina.

Why do all women have a clear discharge after period?

It is perfectly normal to have clear odorless discharge during at least 2 weeks after your period. It is one of the parts of the female reproductive cycle, during which the vagina is self-cleaning. The same discharge may increase in amount the closer you get to ovulation or simply when you are sexually aroused.

Do you still get discharge after your period?

You may notice your period blood becomes darker or brown near the end of your period. Some women experience brown discharge for a day or two after their period ends. Others have brown discharge that comes and goes for a week or two. It really just depends on how well your uterus sheds its lining and the speed at which it exits your body.

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Is it normal to have a lot of discharge before your period?

Your vaginal discharge changes throughout your menstrual cycle. Some days you'll have more discharge than others, and it may get thicker or thinner, or change color a little bit. Most discharge is totally normal — it's part of your vagina's way of cleaning itself.

What kind of discharge shows your period is coming?

White discharge commonly occurs three to five days before the start of your period. This happens because hormonal changes can increase the mucus produced by your vagina. But white discharge along with itching or burning could be a sign of a yeast infection or an STD.

Does discharge indicate period is coming?

During the menstrual cycle, a particular volume of fluid should flow out of the vaginal opening. This vaginal discharge before period , also known as cervical mucus, keeps the vagina clean and is usually clear discharge before period or milky white in color and thin.

Why do I feel wet before period?

Before a period Vaginal discharge changes during the menstrual cycle. In preparation for ovulation and during it, discharge tends to be stretchy and wet. The body produces more mucus at this stage than after it. Ovulation occurs between days 11 and 21 of the menstrual cycle.

How do I know if its my period or pregnancy?

When you have your period, the flow is noticeably heavier and can last up to a week. Pregnancy: For some, one of the first signs of pregnancy is light vaginal bleeding or spotting that's usually pink or dark brown. This typically happens 10 to 14 days after conception and is usually not enough to fill pads or tampons.

Why do I have so much discharge?

Excess vaginal discharge can occur as a result of arousal, ovulation, or infections. Normal vaginal discharge ranges in color from clear or milky to white. The consistency of vaginal discharge also varies from thin and watery to thick and sticky. Generally, healthy vaginal discharge should be relatively odorless.

How long after white discharge is your period?

A good sign you're getting close to the time when your first period will arrive is if you notice a discharge coming from your vagina. It might be thin and slightly sticky or thick and gooey, and can be clear to white or off-white in color. Usually, this happens about 6 months before you get your first period.

How long after discharge is your period?

Typically, you'll start your periods about 2 years after your breasts start growing and about a year after getting a white vaginal discharge. The average girl will get her first period around 12 years old, but it varies from person to person.

What does discharge look like before period if pregnant?

What does it look like? Healthy vaginal discharge during pregnancy is called leukorrhea. It is similar to everyday discharge, meaning that it is thin, clear or milky white, and smells only mildly or not at all.

How long after white discharge is your period?

A good sign you're getting close to the time when your first period will arrive is if you notice a discharge coming from your vagina. It might be thin and slightly sticky or thick and gooey, and can be clear to white or off-white in color. Usually, this happens about 6 months before you get your first period.

Does creamy discharge mean pregnancy?

This milky white discharge may also be a sign that you're pregnant. In the early stages of pregnancy, some people produce a thin, milky white discharge. This discharge results from hormonal changes, which are the beginning stages of pregnancy. The discharge can help clear away bacteria, germs, and dirt.

What discharge comes before pregnancy?

It's perfectly normal to have a mild-smelling milky white discharge even before pregnancy. (It's called leukorrhea.) There's just a lot more of it during pregnancy because your body is producing more estrogen, which signals the vagina to produce more discharge.

Why is my vaginal discharge white?

Seeing a doctor. Infection prevention. Summary. Vaginal discharge changes throughout the menstrual cycle, and discharge is often white just before and after a period. Healthy discharge can range in color and texture. White discharge, known medically as leukorrhea , is normal and typically occurs in the second half ...

What does white discharge mean?

White discharge, known medically as leukorrhea , is normal and typically occurs in the second half of the menstrual cycle. However, if white discharge accompanies a foul odor, itching, or burning, this could indicate an infection. This might be a sexually transmitted infection (STI).

What does it mean when your discharge is greenish?

discharge that is greenish or yellowish. any unusual changes in the amount of discharge. swelling of the vagina. a burning sensation around the vagina. vaginal pain, possibly while urinating or during sex. pelvic pain. A doctor can examine the discharge and otherwise check for signs of infection.

Why is my discharge green?

Greenish or yellowish: Green or yellow discharge, particularly if it has an odor, may indicate an infection. Age and some health conditions can change the amount of discharge that a person has. For example, decreases in estrogen can cause a person to have less discharge.

What are the factors that reduce estrogen levels in the body?

Factors that can reduce the amounts of estrogen in the body and vaginal discharge include: perimenopause and menopause. stress. excessive exercise . depression. some hormone therapies. chemotherapy. radiation treatment near the pelvis. the removal of the ovaries.

What happens to the lining of the uterus when you are not pregnant?

Halfway through the cycle, one ovary releases an egg. Ultimately, if the person does not become pregnant, the lining of the uterus sheds, along with the egg: the person has a period.

What are the signs of pregnancy?

Instead, a person might watch for the following: a missed period. fatigue. tender or swollen breasts and nipples. abdominal bloating.

What does it mean when you discharge before your period?

Discharge before your period: What does it mean? Vaginal discharge changes depending on where you are in your menstrual cycle [2] . So, if you notice a slight change in your discharge before your period, you shouldn’t worry.

How long does it take for a woman to discharge after her period?

Cloudy discharge three-five days following. Clear and wet discharge for the next three-four days. No detectable discharge for 11-14 days until your next period. It’s important to remember that not everyone’s menstrual cycle is the same - which means not everyone will experience ...

How do I know if my discharge is normal?

While vaginal discharge is undoubtedly a natural occurrence, unfortunately, it’s not often spoken about - which can leave women with a number of questions. This includes how to know if their discharge is ‘normal’.

Why does vaginal discharge occur?

Vaginal discharge, also referred to as cervical mucus, comes in many different forms and affects all women - in fact, vaginal discharge primarily exists to keep the vagina clean and protect it from infection. Nonetheless, when the colour, amount or consistency of your discharge changes in the run-up to your period, ...

What phase of the period is discharge?

During the follicular phase - the time between the first day of the period and ovulation, you may experience white or creamy discharge. According to the Mayo Clinic, vaginal discharge during a typical menstrual cycle tends to look a little something like the below: No noticeable discharge days after period ends.

What causes white discharge?

According to Harvard Health, the white discharge that some women may notice is known as leukorrhea and can be caused by a number of factors, these include: An oncoming period. Birth control. Pregnancy. Sexually transmitted infection (STI) Bacterial vaginosis. Yeast infection.

What diseases can cause a discharge to change color?

Bacterial vaginosis. Trichomoniasis. Gonorrhoea or chlamydia. Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) Human papilomavirus (HPV) Yeast infections. If you’re concerned, it’s important to visit your doctor if your discharge [7]: Changes in colour, smell or texture. Increases in quantity.

Why does underwear get stained?

The occasional underwear stain is totally normal. When it’s still wet, discharge generally looks whitish or transparent. But once the liquid evaporates, it dries and leaves behind a whitish or yellowish crust. The appearance of such stains is perfectly normal, as long as the discharge is:

How much vaginal discharge is normal?

A healthy female reproductive system generates an average of 1 to 4 milliliters of vaginal discharge every 24 hours. However, the amount varies from person to person, so if there’s more than that, it may not indicate a problem.

Why does my vagina discharge?

There’s no change in the nature of vaginal discharge throughout the cycle, perhaps pointing to hormonal imbalance. Unusually abundant amounts of discharge appear for several consecutive weeks, often believed to indicate excessive estrogen. Discharge is extremely scarce, signaling very low estrogen levels.

Why is vaginal discharge important?

The primary purpose of any type of vaginal discharge is to moisturize the vagina. However, even when discharge is at its peak (around ovulation), there may not be enough moisture for comfortable sex. Ordinary vaginal discharge serves as natural lubrication, but other processes are involved when additional moisture is needed.

What does it mean when your vagina is thick and milky?

If vaginal discharge increases in volume and is thin, milky, and mild smelling, it could be a symptom of early pregnancy. This is called leukorrhea, and it could present as soon as one to two weeks after conception. During pregnancy, discharge will change in texture, frequency, and quantity.

How long can you observe vaginal discharge?

You can observe different types of vaginal discharge for several months and log details about the quantity and texture in the Flo app.

Why does my vagina have a thick white discharge?

It’s the result of elevated levels of progesterone, a hormone governing both pregnancy and the menstrual cycle. This type of vaginal discharge is believed to be normal as long as it isn’t lumpy or foul smelling.

What causes more discharge in the vagina?

Birth control pills. Oral contraceptives increase the amount of estrogen and progesterone in the body, which in turn leads to more vaginal discharge throughout the month.

What causes a vaginal discharge?

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Having an STI can also cause vaginal discharge. However, these tend to be yellow or green in color. They can also cause strong vaginal odors. Possible STIs include chlamydia, trichomoniasis, and gonorrhea.

Why does my vaginal discharge turn red?

BV causes a grayish-colored discharge and is accompanied by pain, redness, and itching. Yeast infection. A yeast infection can occur during or after your period, as well as any time of the month. This is caused by an over-production of yeast, which leads to itching, burning, and thick, cottage cheese–like vaginal discharge.

What happens to the uterus after your period?

During your period, your uterine lining discharges a combination of blood and tissues. Once your period officially ends though, it’s still possible to have discharge from the vagina. The color and consistency of vaginal discharge fluctuates throughout your cycle. It’s typically brown right after your period is done for the month.

How long does it take for yeast to clear up?

A mild yeast infection may be treated with over-the-counter (OTC) or home remedies and should clear up in 2 to 3 days. OTC treatments contain antifungal ointments and suppositories. Moderate to severe yeast infections may require stronger antifungal treatments and may take weeks to resolve.

What does the color of discharge mean?

The color of your vaginal discharge says a lot about your health as well as where you’re at in your monthly cycle. Colors can range from white to pink to yellow. You can always check with your doctor if you have concerns.

Why is my period brown?

Brown discharge after your period isn’t usually a cause for concern, but you may want to see your doctor if you have any other symptoms, such as pain and itchiness. Call your doctor if you continuously experience brown spotting. This is one possible sign of cervical or uterine cancers, which should be ruled out.

Why is my vaginal discharge white?

Changes in vaginal discharge are due to hormone changes during menstrual cycles.

How long before your period do you have cramps?

Abdomen cramps, which is experienced by a lot of women before their period starts, is a sign your period is coming soon. Most women will experience cramps 2 – 3 days before their period starts.

What is the best medication for menstrual cramps?

Painkillers like ibuprofen and diclofenac could help reduce menstrual cramps and headache

Why is my abdomen bloated?

Abdomen bloating is swelling and tightening experienced by women which could occur for many reasons. If you are expecting your period, a hard, distended and tight abdomen may indicate your period will start soon.

How many days between periods?

The menstrual cycle is the number of days between 2 periods. For example, if your last menstrual period started on the 27th of April and your next period starts on the 26th of May, then you have a 30-day menstrual cycle.

How long does it take for breasts to tender after ovulation?

In women with a 28-day menstrual cycle, breast tenderness usually occurs 4 days before period (Or 10 days after ovulation).

What percentage of women have a period?

Period, which is the cyclical bleeding from the vagina, have some signs before it starts. According to Mayo Clinic, 75 percent of women will have had some menstrual period symptoms in their lifetime. In some women, these symptoms may be severe, affecting daily activities and requiring hospital admission. This article explains the 13 common period ...

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