The female body is in constant fluctuation, from the moment we hit puberty. We have hormonal cycles each month, and we have hormonal cycles over our lifetimes. So it’s probably no surprise that something as perfectly normal as vaginal discharge can change dramatically, depending on the time of the month, or the stage of your life.
Whether you’re a female going through puberty, in your reproductive years, in perimenopause, or postmenopause, there’s one thing you shouldn’t be wondering about, and that’s whether or not your vaginal discharge is normal. So here, let’s go through it all— from puberty, to periods, to pregnancy, to menopause— let’s talk about what to expect with vaginal discharge.
Types of vaginal discharge
Vaginal discharge can come in a variety of fun colors and consistencies– which can sometimes indicate an underlying issue.
Normal vaginal discharge is typically thin and clear or white in color. It shouldn’t smell unpleasant, necessarily– but it’s normal for it to have a smell.1 If your vaginal discharge is looking a little funky or something just feels off, we recommend seeing your doctor. They may recommend an STI test, medication, a simple change in diet or even cleaning products, or a probiotic designed for vaginal health.
Of course because we’re women and nothing ever stays the same for too long with our bodies, the amount and consistency of vaginal discharge is subject to change depending on the time of the month– and the stage of your life.
Discharge during puberty
According to Nemours Children’s Health, about six months to a year before females get their first period, the body starts to produce vaginal discharge. This is totally normal and a sign of increasing estrogen levels.
Healthy discharge during this time can be anywhere from a thin consistency to slightly sticky or thick and gooey. It should be either clear, white, or off-white and have only a slight odor. It shouldn’t cause itching or burning, or be any of the “uh oh” colors in the chart above.2
Discharge during reproductive years
Vaginal discharge changes throughout a female’s reproductive years due to hormonal fluctuations.3
Days 1-6: From about days one through six of your cycle (one being the first day of your period), cervical mucus may feel dry and sticky– and of course, will be mixed with blood while you’re on your period.
Days 7-9: Days seven through nine are typically a bit creamier.
Days 10-12: Cervical mucus becomes wet and clear during this time; maybe a thinner consistency.
Days 13-14: Vaginal discharge may feel thick, sticky, and look clear– almost like an egg white.
Days 15-28: Dry, or almost dry, until menstruation.
It’s important to remember that everybody is slightly different. Some people have longer or shorter cycles than 28 days; some people may have more vaginal discharge than others. It’s all about what is normal for you. If something is off– you’re the best judge.
Discharge before period
Typically females have less vaginal discharge during their luteal phase– the (roughly) two weeks after ovulation and before their period.
However, right before your period, you might notice an increase in white or creamy vaginal discharge. This is perfectly normal, due to hormonal fluctuations around menstruation.4
Discharge and pregnancy
As hormones change throughout pregnancy, so does vaginal discharge. According to the NHS, a slight increase in vaginal discharge during pregnancy is normal and healthy, in order to help prevent infections from travelling up from the vagina to the womb.
In fact, toward the end of pregnancy, the amount of discharge will likely increase even further, and in the last week or so of pregnancy it may contain streaks of sticky, jelly-like pink mucus.
This fun phenomenon has an equally fun name– a “show”– and it happens when the mucus that’s been present in your cervix during pregnancy sort of falls away, in preparation for birth.5
Perimenopause discharge
There is a saying that going through perimenopause is like going through puberty– in reverse. We’ve also heard this phase of life called, “the bucking bronco,” or simply “hell.”
Let’s just say it’s a complicated time for hormones.
Perimenopause is the eight to 10 years leading up to menopause (the end of your periods), and for many women, it begins in their 30s or 40s.6 During this time, estrogen levels tend to fluctuate dramatically (the “bucking bronco” effect), which means vaginal discharge can become more irregular with changes in color, consistency, and even odor. Sometimes vaginal discharge may even have a slightly brownish or pinkish tinge during this time, which usually indicates the slight presence of blood– another normal side effect of fluctuating estrogen levels.
As you get closer and closer to menopause, the body’s estrogen levels will settle into a steady decline. This decrease in estrogen usually means less vaginal discharge, overall.7
Discharge during menopause
Menopause– once you haven’t had a period for a year7– tends to mean another change in vaginal discharge. During this time in your life, estrogen levels will be at their lowest, which for most females, also means vaginal discharge levels will be at their lowest.
In fact, it’s pretty common to experience vaginal dryness during this time, which can be helped with things like vaginal moisturizers, lube during sex, or low-dose estrogen creams.8
FAQs
Is white discharge normal?
Yes, white vaginal discharge can be totally normal, and often it depends on where you are in your cycle. Just be on the lookout for discharge that is yellow, greenish, grey, clumpy, or smells bad– which can indicate an infection.
What if my vaginal discharge smells “fishy”?
This could be a sign of a common infection called “bacterial vaginosis.”9 If you think you might have BV, make an appointment with your healthcare provider who can treat the infection with antibiotics.
Is discharge while pregnant normal?
It’s totally normal to have discharge while pregnant– and in fact, most pregnant people experience an increase in vaginal discharge due to hormonal changes and increased blood flow to the pelvic area during pregnancy. This clear or milky-white discharge helps protect the uterus from infection.
