What happens if you have heavy discharge

Larger text size Large text size Regular text size. What Is Vaginal Discharge? What Is Normal Vaginal Discharge? Normal vaginal discharge can be: somewhat thin, sticky, and elastic thick and gooey For some girls, it's normal to have a lot of vaginal discharge. Vaginal fluids should be clear, white, or off-white in color.

You may also experience abnormal vaginal bleeding as a result of stress or hormonal changes. Rarely, however, abnormal vaginal bleeding can be a sign of a more serious condition, such as cervical cancer.

If you experience abnormal vaginal bleeding, talk to your doctor to rule out a major medical concern. Thick, dark brown or even black discharge typically results from a blockage in the vagina. Maintaining good vaginal health, including hygiene, can prevent vaginal infections and unusual discharge.

Here are some tips to follow for a healthy, happy vagina. Perfumed soaps and sprays can upset the pH balance of the vagina, as can douching. To clean your vagina, you should only use warm water and a gentle, unscented soap on the outside, or vulva. You should never put soaps, sprays, or douching products inside the vagina itself since this can lead to infections.

Cotton is breathable and absorbent. Since moisture promotes the growth of yeast, wearing underwear made from synthetic materials like polyester, which does not wick moisture as well as cotton, can cause yeast infections.

Again, moist environments promote the growth of yeast. For this reason, you should always change out of damp underwear or swimsuits as soon as possible. Sitting around in a wet swimsuit or wearing sweaty underwear after working out, for example, might cause a yeast infection. Taking a supplement with these probiotics in it can help replenish the healthy bacteria that maintain the normal pH of the vagina. You can also get probiotics from foods like yogurt, kimchi, sauerkraut, and kombucha.

Women who are sexually active should get a gynecological exam at least once per year. After the age of 21, women also need to get a Pap smear at least once every three years, if the test comes back normal. If it comes back abnormal, you may need a Pap smear more often than that. You should also visit your doctor anytime you notice unusual discharge or other symptoms of vaginal infections. If you are given medications for infections, make sure to take them as directed, even once you are feeling better, to completely treat the infection.

She is board certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology. Dr Jeelani has authored numerous articles and abstracts in peer-reviewed journals, and presented her research at national and international scientific meetings. Lauren has worked alongside Dr. Jeelani for the last 3 years, authoring a number of abstracts and articles in peer-reviewed journals, and presented her research at national and international scientific conferences.

Track your whole cycle and what is happening with your hormones. Get a larger fertile window 6 days and clear insights. Let Mira take the guesswork out of tracking all fertile days and infertile days. Check our help guide for more info. Milky white Milky white discharge , known as leukorrhea, is the normal discharge secreted from the vagina over the course of the menstrual cycle.

Clear Clear vaginal discharge is normal to notice during certain parts of your cycle. Vaginal discharge vs. Cervical fluid is a gel-like liquid that contains proteins, carbohydrates , and amino acids. For example, after menstruation, cervical fluid has a thick, mucus-like texture. It can be cloudy, white, or yellow. Estrogen levels increase closer to ovulation. This causes the cervical fluid to become clear and slippery, similar to that of raw egg whites.

Cervical fluid discharge increases during the days leading up to ovulation and decreases after ovulation. Females may have no discharge for a few days after their period. Hormonal imbalances related to stress , diet, or underlying medical conditions can cause heavier vaginal discharge.

Polycystic ovary syndrome PCOS , for example, refers to a set of symptoms that occur as a result of hormonal imbalances. Those with PCOS have higher levels of male hormones called androgens.

Increased androgen levels can:. Not everyone with PCOS will have increased vaginal discharge. Paying attention to other PCOS symptoms may help someone identify and seek treatment for the condition faster. Hormonal birth control , such as birth control pills and intrauterine devices, can also cause increased vaginal discharge, especially during the first few months of use.

Excess vaginal discharge and other symptoms, such as spotting and cramping, usually resolve once the body adjusts to the hormonal birth control. Vaginitis refers to inflammation of the vagina, which can occur from an infection or irritation due to factors such as douches, lubricants, and ill-fitting clothing.

Bacterial vaginosis is a condition that results from an overgrowth of bacteria in the vagina. This vaginal infection is the most common among females aged 15—44 years. The exact cause of bacterial vaginosis remains unclear. Females can develop bacterial vaginosis after sexual intercourse. However, this condition is not a sexually transmitted infection STI.

Some also report a strong, fishy vaginal odor, especially after sexual intercourse. Vaginal yeast infections result from an overgrowth of the Candida fungus. The most common symptom of a vaginal yeast infection is an intense itching in the vagina and vulva. Vaginal yeast infections can also cause an odorless vaginal discharge that looks similar to cottage cheese. Vaginal yeast infections are treatable at home using over-the-counter antifungal ointments.

Editorial team. Vaginal itching and discharge - adult and adolescent. The discharge may be: Thick, pasty, or thin Clear, cloudy, bloody, white, yellow, or green Odorless or have a bad odor Itching of the skin of the vagina and the surrounding area vulva may be present along with vaginal discharge.

These secretions may turn white or yellow when exposed to the air. The amount of mucus produced varies during the menstrual cycle. This happens due to the change in hormone levels in the body. The following factors can increase the amount of normal vaginal discharge: Ovulation the release of an egg from your ovary in the middle of menstrual cycle Pregnancy Sexual excitement Different types of infections may cause itching or an abnormal discharge in the vagina.

These include: Infections spread during sexual contact. These include chlamydia, gonorrhea GC , and trichomoniasis. Vaginal yeast infection, caused by a fungus.

Normal bacteria that live in the vagina overgrow and cause a gray discharge and fishy odor. This is called bacterial vaginosis BV. BV is not spread through sexual contact. Other causes of vaginal discharge and itching may be: Menopause and low estrogen levels.

This may lead to vaginal dryness and other symptoms atrophic vaginitis. Forgotten tampon or foreign body. This may cause a foul odor. Chemicals found in detergents, fabric softeners, feminine sprays, ointments, creams, douches, and contraceptive foams or jellies or creams. This may irritate the vagina or the skin around the vagina.