Period FAQs

does discharge mean i'm getting my period

by Fiona Nicolas Published 1 year 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 many days before a period do you get discharge?

  • No noticeable discharge days after period ends
  • 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

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.

Does anyone get a clear watery discharge before period?

While most women will presume watery discharge before period to be abnormal and a pregnancy sign, if your ovulation is delayed, it is possible you will experience this type of vaginal discharge later than expected. This article explains the causes of clear watery discharge, signs that indicate you are pregnant and when to worry.

Is it normal to not have discharge before your period?

The consistency and quantity of vaginal discharge changes according to ovulation: In the days before your period, your vaginal discharge may have a glue-like look and feel. Then, on the day immediately before your period, you may notice no discharge at all. During your period, it’s likely that your menstrual blood will cover the mucus.

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Do you get discharge before period?

The 1-2 days before a period may be the driest part of a menstrual cycle, unless you have gotten pregnant. If you are, you may notice an increase in vaginal discharge around the time that a period would be due. It may appear clear, white, brown, or pink.

How many days before period do you get discharge?

An increase in a hormone known as luteinizing hormone leads to the release of a mature egg from one of the ovaries. This phase happens on about day 14 of an average 28-day cycle. It is also at this stage where you will begin to notice more vaginal discharge.

How do I know if its discharge or period?

The biggest difference between spotting and your period is the amount of blood. A period can last for several days and require a tampon or pad to control your flow. However, spotting produces much less blood and doesn't typically require the use of these products.

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 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 do you know if your period is coming tomorrow?

What are the signs your period is coming?Your skin is breaking out. Ever noticed how your skin is most breakout prone on the days you're due? ... Your breasts feel tender. ... You have menstrual cramps. ... You're having mood swings. ... You feel bloated. ... You're super tired. ... Your discharge is dry.

What are the symptoms of period coming?

PMS (premenstrual syndrome)feeling bloated.breast tenderness.mood swings.feeling irritable.spotty skin or greasy hair.loss of interest in sex.

How can I make my period come tomorrow?

Activities and lifestyle changesRelaxation. Stress can sometimes be the cause of a delayed or missed period. ... Warm compress or bath. A warm bath may help relax tight muscles and relieve emotional stress. ... Sex. ... Reducing exercise if you're an athlete. ... Birth control.

What should discharge look like before period?

Because of the increased presence of progesterone, a hormone involved in the menstrual cycle and pregnancy, discharge before period tends to be hazy or white. Vaginal discharge is clear discharge before period and watery during other periods of the cycle, when the body has higher estrogen levels.

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.

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.

Does white 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 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.

What happens if you have no discharge after your period?

This happens when your body creates more mucus before another egg is ripened in anticipation of ovulation. Following these “dry days,” your discharge will go through days when it appears sticky, cloudy, wet, and slippery. These are the days leading up to and following ...

What does it mean when your period arrives?

If your period does arrive, this means that your body was likely preparing for your period when there wasn’t any discharge. Should you notice any differences in your period, such as irregularities in flow or discomfort, this could signal something else, such as a possible infection.

How to check mucus levels during menstruation?

To check your mucus, you can use a piece of toilet paper to wipe your vulva before peeing. Then you can check the color, smell, and consistency.

What is cervical mucus?

Vaginal discharge, also known as cervical mucus, looks different from person to person. It also varies throughout the menstrual cycle, from dry and largely absent to clear and stretchy.

What does it mean when your period doesn't come?

For those who are between 45 to 55 years old, this could also be a sign of perimenopause or menopause. Periods leading up to menopause can be lighter or irregular. Menopause happens when it’s been 12 months since your last period.

What are the signs of perimenopause?

thyroid issues. eating disorders (such as anorexia or bulimia) polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) drug use. For those who are between 45 to 55 years old, this could also be a sign of perimenopause or menopause. Periods leading up to menopause can be lighter or irregular.

How long does it take for a period to be lighter?

Periods leading up to menopause can be lighter or irregular. Menopause happens when it’s been 12 months since your last period.

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.

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.

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.

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.

How long does it take to ovulate after your period?

Ovulation. In a typical 28-day cycle, you may ovulate within two weeks after the first day of your period. After your period, you might notice clear to white discharge from your cervix as your estrogen levels start to increase. You may see this type of discharge even sooner if you tend to have shorter cycles each month.

What is the texture of discharge?

Normal vaginal discharge can have a texture that's anywhere from thin and slightly sticky to thick and gooey. Discharge also can vary in color, ranging from clear to white or off-white. The amount of discharge can depend on a girl's menstrual cycle.

Why does my vagina smell bad?

If that happens, see a doctor. Sometimes a normal vaginal discharge can irritate the skin. This is due to the moisture against the skin.

Why is my discharge white?

It means that your body is making hormones and your uterus (womb) is getting read to have periods.

How old is a girl when she gets her period?

Just so you know, the average age that girls get their period is about 12½, but anytime between 9-15 years old is normal.

Why does my period have a white discharge?

An abundant creamy white discharge instead of period occur because estrogen hormone causes your cervix to increase the production of mucus from your vagina. If this happens, you will notice a whitish mucus from your vagina that is clear or milky and a delayed period. The truth is, your period can be delayed for days by other reasons apart ...

What does it mean when you miss your period?

While you are about to miss your period, a heavy discharge and breast pain a few days from the start of menstruation may signify you are pregnant. Breast changes are common during your menstrual cycle, and if you get pregnant, you will experience dramatic changes to your boobs as they become larger than normal.

How long does it take for ovulation to happen?

Delayed ovulation. Ovulation occurs in your body from time to time. In most women, ovulation will take place around a weeks after your period has stopped. Ovulation is the release of an egg from your ovaries, and if the egg gets fertilized, you become pregnant and start showing pregnancy symptoms.

What happens if an egg is not fertilized?

If an “ovulation egg” is not fertilized, your body will observe changes too and start preparing for your next menstrual period. Sometimes, a woman’s body hormones may fluctuate resulting in variations in the timing of ovulation.

Why is my vagina white?

White discharge from your vagina instead for period can cause women to panic, especially if you are not planning for pregnancy. For women that are expecting a baby, a whitish vaginal discharge instead of your period is an early sign that you could be pregnant.

What are the early signs of pregnancy?

Other early symptoms of pregnancy you may or may not have experienced are slight brown spotting before your missed period (implantation bleeding), Headache, abdominal cramps, constipation, frequent urination, vomiting and mood swings.

Why is my period delayed?

If this happens, your period could be delayed due to unbalanced hormones. Apart from a missed period and a clear discharge, there are other pregnancy symptoms you should check for.

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

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 ...

What does it mean when you have an increased emotion before your period?

Having increased emotions before period is a sign your period is coming soon. Mood changes that occur after ovulation is a sign your period will start soon.

What causes bloody discharge in the vagina?

Rarely, bloody vaginal discharge is a sign of a more serious problem in your reproductive system, such as: Endometriosis (when the lining inside your uterus grows on the outside of it) A burst ovarian cyst. Uterine cancer.

What cancers are considered bloody discharge?

Uterine cancer. Cervical cancer. Ovarian cancer. It’s especially important to see a doctor about bloody discharge if you are in menopause, as any vaginal bleeding during this time is a red flag for a serious condition.

What causes a vagina to itch?

Vaginitis. This inflammation of the vagina is often caused by three types of infections: yeast, bacterial vaginosis, and trichomoniasis. Vaginitis can cause vaginal itching, discharge, pain when you pee, and light bleeding or spotting between periods. Your doctor can prescribe a pill or cream to treat it. Chlamydia.

Why do women have irregular vaginal bleeding?

There’s another reason why women in the early stages of menopause often have unusual vaginal bleeding. Some of them take hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to control their symptoms. HRT is a common cause of uterine bleeding.

How long does it take for a woman to bleed during the first trimester?

But 15%-25% of women have some bleeding during the first trimester. Light bleeding may happen 1-2 weeks after the fertilized egg implants in your womb. Your cervix may bleed more easily as it gains more blood vessels. You may notice spotting after sex, a Pap test, or a pelvic exam.

How to make your period more regular?

If you have PCOS, your doctor will work with you to manage its effects on your body. Birth control or progestin therapy can make your periods more regular. There are also medications to help you ovulate and a range of strategies to help control excess hair. Problems With Your Uterus, Cervix, or Ovaries.

Why do teenagers bleed during their periods?

For teenagers, that may happen when they start getting their periods. Women nearing menopause may also bleed unexpectedly due to shifting hormones.

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