What should be the normal discharge? Vaginal discharge: from normal to pathological. Why does discharge with a specific odor occur?

There is no woman in the world who would not be concerned about the nature of the discharge from her genital tract. Among them there are those that are part of female physiology, and some may indicate the presence of sexually transmitted diseases in the body or an inflammatory process. To protect yourself, it is better to consult a gynecologist and get tested for vaginal microflora and bacteriological culture. Therefore, many are interested in which discharge is considered normal and which is a reason to visit a doctor

Normal discharge and menstrual cycle

Discharge in healthy women appears from the moment of puberty and is present until the onset of menopause. Another name for vaginal discharge is leucorrhoea. They vary depending on the phase of the menstrual cycle. The amount and color of leucorrhoea depends on the concentration of the hormone estrogen in the blood. Let's look at what normal discharge looks like during different periods of the female cycle.

So, in the first phase of the female cycle (about 1-14 days), the discharge is usually the most scanty - about 1-2 mg per day. This amount of leucorrhoea leaves a spot with a diameter of 2-3 cm on the panty liner. During this period, vaginal discharge is normal if it has a transparent or whitish tint. They are usually odorless or have a slightly sour odor.

At the end of the first period, ovulation occurs, which lasts 1-2 days. As for vaginal discharge, the norm is an increase in its abundance compared to the first phase. Their amount is about 4 mg per day, and the diameter of the spot on the pad can reach 5-6 cm. Leucorrhoea is similar to chicken protein - it is also transparent and has a viscous and slimy character. Such secretions provide a favorable environment for the movement of sperm towards the egg.

The second half of the menstrual cycle is characterized by a comparative decrease in the amount of leucorrhoea. These secretions become thicker and have a jelly-like or creamy character. As menstruation approaches, the amount of leucorrhoea increases and its color becomes whitish. Thus, in the run-up to your period, white discharge is normal. Naturally, provided that they do not cause discomfort, itching or burning.

Normal female discharge and various factors

It is also necessary to know what normal discharge should be depending on the influence of various life situations:

The nature of vaginal discharge directly depends on the condition of the reproductive organs. If inflammatory or infectious processes begin to develop in them, this immediately leads to a change in their consistency, color and smell. And it is very important to pay attention to such changes in time to prevent the development of serious complications. And in order to understand what signs may indicate the occurrence of pathologies, you first need to know exactly what there arenormal discharge in women, because their character can also change under the influence of certain physiological conditions.

Natural secretions

Talking about what kind of discharge should there be?in women, it should be noted that normal vaginal secretion consists of:

• Dead epithelial cells.
• Leukocytes.
• Mucus produced by the gonads.

It is for this reason that vaginal secretions have a mucous consistency. However, it is produced in very small quantities and is practically invisible to a woman. As for the color of the discharge, it can be white, transparent or milky. Depending on external factors, the level of leukocytes in them constantly increases and decreases, as a result of which the vaginal secretion periodically changes its color.

Important! Speaking about what kind of vaginal discharge a healthy woman should have, it should be said that their appearance should not be accompanied by a specific smell or burning sensation in the vagina, since these signs always indicate the development of pathological conditions.

However, the nature of the discharge depends not only on the level of leukocytes in it, but also on the hormonal background, the change of which occurs several times during one menstrual cycle. The first time a hormonal surge is observed immediately after menstruation and is characterized by increased production of progesterone. It is under its influence that the follicle matures. And when it reaches full maturity, ovulation occurs, during which an egg is released from the follicle.

In addition, progesterone helps to thin the cervical mucus, which is why in the middle of the cycle a woman may notice an increase in vaginal discharge (it can even become like water in consistency). Moreover, they may also contain ichor, which occurs as a result of rupture of the follicle and damage to its small capillaries. However, it is observed, as a rule, not for long - only a couple of hours.

If during the period of ovulation a woman did not engage in unprotected sexual intercourse and fertilization of the egg did not occur, then the production of progesterone decreases and instead of it, estrogen begins to be actively produced, which prepares the ovaries and uterus for the upcoming menstruation. It becomes especially active a few days before the start of menstruation. At the same time, women experience not only abundant mucous discharge, but also bloody streaks, the volume of which gradually increases, after which menstruation begins.

And talking aboutWhat is the normal vaginal discharge in women?, it should be noted that regardless of the physiological processes occurring in the body, they do not smell of anything, do not cause irritation and do not require the use of sanitary pads.

If pregnancy occurs, how does the nature of the discharge change?

If fertilization of the egg occurs during ovulation, the level of progesterone in the body increases even more. This is due to the fact that it is this hormone that ensures the maintenance of pregnancy and the normal formation of the embryo. Therefore, in the early stages of gestation, women often experience thin, transparent or whitish discharge.

At the same time, after 6-7 days from the moment of conception, the fertilized egg reaches the uterus and attaches to its walls. As a result of this, small vessels and capillaries are also damaged, which causes spotting. However, they should not be considered a sign of deviation by a woman. They do not last long and stop on the same day. And to eliminate the feeling of wetness in the perineum, simply use a panty liner.

It should also be noted thatnormal vaginal discharge that occurs during pregnancy, should not provoke irritation in the intimate area, even despite its abundance. They can be released in large quantities throughout the first trimester, and in the second trimester their volume decreases and they become almost invisible.

But already in the third trimester, at 32-34 weeks of pregnancy, the body’s production of progesterone increases again, due to which vaginal secretions begin to be released in large quantities again. It is thanks to the increased concentration of progesterone in the body that the tone of the uterus weakens and prepares it for the upcoming birth.

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In the last stages of pregnancy, a woman should pay special attention to vaginal discharge, since it is by its nature that she can predict the imminent opening of labor. As a rule, before childbirth, the so-called plug, which forms in the cervical canal in the early stages of pregnancy, comes out. It has a slimy consistency, a whitish tint, and may contain streaks of blood. As soon as the plug comes out of the cervix, the amniotic fluid begins to recede and contractions begin.

Important! If a woman notices a mucus plug coming out, she should immediately call an ambulance without waiting for the amniotic fluid to break. Since for some women, even the first birth proceeds quickly, against the background of which some complications can occur, which affects not only women’s health, but also the health of the newborn.

Since pregnancy is often accompanied by various complications, a woman must know how they can manifest themselves. The following conditions should be alarming:

1. The opening of bleeding and the appearance of severe cramping pain in the abdomen. If a bloody clot is also noted, this already indicates a miscarriage and requires immediate medical examination.
2. The appearance of a brown spot, accompanied by weakness and nagging pain in the abdomen. This condition is a signal of placental abruption and the threat of miscarriage. If in this case, medical assistance was received in a timely manner, there is every chance of maintaining the pregnancy.

Ectopic pregnancy

When an ectopic pregnancy occurs, the nature of vaginal discharge also changes. It not only begins to stand out profusely, but also acquires a brown or pink color. Brown spotting is observed not only for the first day, as is the case with implantation bleeding, but until the pregnancy is terminated. In this case, pain appears in the left or right side of a pulling nature, and an increase in temperature is also observed.

Important! An ectopic pregnancy is a dangerous condition characterized by the attachment of a fertilized egg to the fallopian tube. And since it grows very quickly, this can lead to pipe rupture and internal bleeding.

Does vaginal discharge change after childbirth?

After childbirth, the female body begins to gradually recover and return to its previous “mode” of work. However, this does not happen quickly. During the postpartum period, all women experience cleansing of the uterus, which is manifested by heavy uterine bleeding. It is observed for about 2-3 weeks, after which the amount of bloody discharge decreases and is first replaced by pink and then scanty brown discharge.

And speaking of how long it takes for postpartum cleansing to occur, it should be said that on average this process takes from 7 to 9 weeks. Then the bleeding stops and leucorrhoea appears instead.

If a woman is breastfeeding, the discharge may also be copious and thin, white, clear, or creamy. This is due to increased production of prolactin in the body, which ensures the production of breast milk. As soon as lactation stops, the woman's menstrual cycle is restored and vaginal discharge becomes the same as it was before pregnancy.

How does vaginal discharge change after 40 years?

After 40 years, every woman begins to actively develop aging processes in her body, which lead to the decline of reproductive functions (menopause occurs). Naturally, this also affects the nature of vaginal discharge. As hormone production decreases, the amount of cervical mucus also decreases. Therefore, during this period, women may feel that they have completely stopped producing vaginal secretions. But that's not true. It is released, but in very small quantities.

At the same time, a woman experiences other symptoms of menopause:

• Menstruation becomes irregular (frequent delays are noted).
• The nature of menstruation changes (it becomes either heavy or scanty).
• Sweating increases.
• There are hot flashes.
• Frequent surges in blood pressure occur.
• Psychological disorders are observed (insomnia, tearfulness, irritability, etc.).

As soon as reproductive function completely subsides, postmenopause occurs, which is characterized by the absence of menstruation and normalization of the general condition.

What discharges can be signs of pathologies?

Every girl and woman should know how pathologies of the reproductive system manifest themselves in order to promptly seek medical help. As they develop, the nature of vaginal discharge almost always changes.

Conventionally, all gynecological diseases are divided into 3 types:

• inflammatory;
• oncological;
• infectious.

Inflammatory diseases include erosion, endometritis, cervicitis, oophoritis and others. Their development has a similar clinical picture:

• nagging pain in the abdomen;
• brown or bloody spotting.

To get rid of these diseases, you will need to undergo a special course of treatment, which involves the use of anti-inflammatory drugs. If the general clinical picture is supplemented by an increase in temperature, then this already indicates the late stages of the development of the disease and the addition of a bacterial infection to them, requiring an antibacterial course of treatment.

Oncological diseases include:

• cancer;
• uterine fibroids;
• polyps.

A distinctive feature of these diseases is that their development is asymptomatic. The only thing is that with these pathologies, some women begin to smear brown from the vagina after mechanical impact on the cervical canal and uterus (for example, after sex).

However, the development of cancer has slightly different symptoms. When it occurs, women experience severe abdominal pain, dark brown (almost black) discharge, which may contain clots, indicating the beginning of rejection of the affected epithelium.

Important! Cancer is a disease that develops rapidly and can be fatal within a few months. Therefore, you cannot delay your visit to the doctor and treatment.

As for infectious diseases, their provocateurs are:

• gonococci;
• chlamydia;
• staphylococci;
• streptococci;
• fungi, etc.

If a woman develops an STD, she experiences the following symptoms:

• Vaginal discharge takes on a greenish or yellowish tint.
• The intimate area may smell like rotten fish or a missing egg.

Discharge from the genital organs in girls and women is a completely common and natural phenomenon. Thanks to such secretions, which are called leucorrhoea, the mucous membranes of the vagina are cleansed of dead cells, various bacteria, mucus and menstrual blood. Leucorrhoea can be transparent, white, dark, viscous, slippery, with an unpleasant odor, and also foamy.

The amount of discharge directly depends on the hormonal changes occurring in the body and the woman’s health status. At some points in time, their number may change either down or up. Normally, there should be virtually no discharge. And any change in their quantity, color, smell and consistency should be a reason for a mandatory visit to the doctor.

Norm and pathology

Characteristics of normal vaginal discharge:

• light;
• transparent;
• scant or moderate;
• no foreign odor;
• without admixtures of pus;
• without streaks of blood;
• are not accompanied by the appearance of unpleasant sensations.

In healthy women, discharge increases during ovulation (in the middle of the cycle, the secretion becomes viscous, thick, similar to egg white). In the second phase of the cycle, the volume of discharge decreases slightly, only to increase again before menstruation. There is an increase in vaginal secretion during pregnancy.

Alarming symptoms:

• increased vaginal discharge for no apparent reason;
• change in color of discharge to yellow, green, dirty gray, brown;
• the appearance of blood or pus (red, pink, cloudy, bloody discharge);
• change in consistency: discharge becomes thick or too thin, watery;
• the appearance of foam or white curdled flakes;
• the occurrence of itching, burning, nagging pain in the lower abdomen;
• pain during sexual intercourse or when urinating.

If any of these symptoms appear, you should consult a doctor. Similar signs occur in various gynecological diseases.

Causes of leucorrhoea

A huge number of factors can provoke the appearance of leucorrhoea in women. Such provocateurs are:

• nervous tension;
• hypothermia of the body;
• eating excess amounts of sweet or protein foods (meat);
• various gynecological diseases;
• intestinal dysbiosis;
• ARVI;
• general intoxication of the body.

In very young children, this problem can occur due to improper care. In particular, this is caused by improper washing. In healthy women, leucorrhoea is practically absent.

The following factors can lead to pathological discharge in adult women:

• sedentary and sedentary lifestyle;
• douching with antiseptic solutions;
• vaginal prolapse;
• gynecological diseases - cervicitis (inflammation of the cervical canal), colpitis, ;
• improper healing of genital lacerations;
• general infectious diseases;
• tumors;
• intestinal diseases;
• uncontrolled use of hormonal drugs;
• neglect of the rules of intimate hygiene.

Knowing why pathological vaginal discharge occurs, you can prevent its occurrence and avoid the development of complications.

Varieties of leucorrhoea

Depending on the location in the body, leucorrhoea is divided into the following types:

1. Vaginal. The appearance of such secretions is caused by the release of blood cells from the capillaries into the vagina, which is caused by various mechanical, chemical or thermal factors. This condition can be caused by washing with hot solutions or preparations with a high content of chemicals (douching), exposure to bacteria that cause irritation of the vaginal walls, as well as damage to epithelial cells due to external interference. They can be caused by thrush, gardnerellosis, and other pathogenic and opportunistic flora.
2. Cervical. Leucorrhoea appears due to a malfunction of the glands located in the cervix. Some gynecological diseases lead to increased secretion production. Such discharge often contains blood or pus, which directly depends on the type of infection. Such discharge may also indicate serious diseases - a benign tumor or. Can be caused by mycoplasmosis, ureaplasmosis, chlamydia,.
3. Uterine. They arise due to the appearance of formations in the uterus - fibroids, cancer. Cancerous tumors are characterized by discharge that looks like meat slop. In other cases, leucorrhoea in women is watery with a green tint (with endometritis).
4. Pipe. Discharge is a signal of inflammatory processes in the fallopian tubes. The pus that accumulates in them gradually moves into the uterus and then into the vagina. Leucorrhoea is liquid, bright yellow or green, sometimes mixed with blood. Such discharge may signal the development of fallopian tube cancer.

The appearance of physiological leucorrhoea in women is considered a normal variant. The discharge can be: transparent, with a yellow tint, white, spotting, creamy and mucous. The presence of a small amount of blood in the discharge is also allowed, and the color of the leucorrhoea will be brownish (only during ovulation).

Normal vaginal discharge is no more than a teaspoon per day and is odorless. Their volume may increase as menstruation approaches. Such discharge does not irritate the mucous membrane and skin of the genital organs and does not cause discomfort in the lower abdomen.

Discharge in teenage girls may be stronger than in women of reproductive or middle age, as well as during menopause. This is due to the fact that the hormonal levels in adolescents have not yet stabilized. An upward change in the amount of discharge can also occur as a result of sexual arousal, during and after sexual intercourse, and on the eve of menstruation.

Bloody discharge that appears after the installation of an IUD is not a pathological deviation if it does not have an unpleasant odor, is released in small quantities and lasts no more than 5 days.

Foaming, watery or very thick, viscous discharge with a strong unpleasant or nauseating odor is considered pathological. They may have an unusual color (from greenish to brown) and consistency; as a rule, they are more liquid. The number of such discharges is much greater than usual. Sticky leucorrhoea leads to irritation of the skin and mucous membranes of the genital organs, causing burning and itching. Salty leucorrhoea appears when an alkaline environment forms in the vagina, which may indicate the presence of a bacterial infection and inflammation.

What factors can contribute to the formation of discharge in the intimate area? The appearance of pathological leucorrhoea can be triggered by a decrease in immunity, both local and general, failure to comply with personal hygiene rules, long-term use of antibiotics and hormonal imbalance. These factors lead to increased proliferation of opportunistic organisms, which under normal conditions, being in the vagina, do not cause harm, which ultimately leads to an inflammatory process.

If any suspicious discharge appears, especially if it is combined with itching, dryness, pain during sexual intercourse, redness of the genitals, pain in the lower abdomen, pain and burning during urination and increased body temperature, this is a reason to immediately consult a doctor. Unusual discharge due to delayed menstruation also deserves special attention.

How diseases affect the color of discharge

There are more than 100 reasons that affect the color and nature of the discharge. To establish an accurate diagnosis, the gynecologist will not be sufficient only by the appearance of the discharge; confirmation of the diagnosis by laboratory diagnostics will be required. With a high degree of probability, vaginal candidiasis can be determined by a smear. The disease is characterized by copious, curd-like white discharge. But in a large number of cases, thrush is accompanied by other infections. Therefore, the true cause will be determined by smear tests, bacterial culture and STI testing. But still, the color of the discharge can indicate to the specialist in which direction to look for the root cause of the ailment.

• Transparent foaming leucorrhoea may indicate.
• White - can be either a variant of the norm or a symptom of thrush. You should visit a doctor if the discharge has become stronger, curdled, and accompanied by a burning sensation and itching.
• Yellow - in most cases, they signal trichomoniasis.
• Pink leucorrhoea is normal during ovulation. If they are accompanied by unpleasant sensations or pain in the lower abdomen, this may be a sign.
• Brown discharge indicates normality if it appears after the end of menstruation or during the onset of sexual activity (the first sexual intercourse in virgins is accompanied by rupture of the hymen and bleeding). They are considered pathological when the cycle fails, as well as during pregnancy.
• A gray tint with a fishy odor is a sign of gardnerellosis (bacterial vaginosis).
• Green discharge - signals an inflammatory process in the cervical canal or uterine cavity.

What to do and how to get rid of unpleasant discharge? First of all, you should find the cause and identify the causative agent of the infection. After this, it will be possible to select the optimal treatment regimen and prevent relapse of the disease.

Diagnostics

A woman should not worry if the total volume of discharge does not exceed one teaspoon per day and is not accompanied by other symptoms. What factors may cause concern? If the discharge changes color, quantity, becomes thick, cheesy, foamy, acquires an unpleasant odor and is accompanied by fever, itching and burning, pain, then you should visit a gynecologist.

Leucorrhoea with an unpleasant odor on the eve of menstruation or immediately after it may indicate diseases of genital herpes, mycoplasma, ureaplasma, and chlamydial infection. If discharge appears against the background of a delay in menstruation, this may be a symptom of uterine or.

The specialist will conduct an examination in a chair. Using a gynecological speculum, the condition of the walls of the vagina and cervix is ​​assessed and the presence of inflammation is determined. To clarify the diagnosis, colposcopy is performed. Using this procedure, the presence of cervical dysplasia or erosion is diagnosed or excluded. In addition to a smear for flora and culture, the doctor can additionally send a smear for testing for STIs using PCR or ELISA. If, in addition to discharge, a woman is bothered by pain, menstrual irregularities, or there is a suspicion of inflammation of the appendages or uterus, a transvaginal ultrasound is prescribed, which will help clarify the clinical picture.

Treatment of pathological leucorrhoea

Treatment of leucorrhoea in women depends on the cause of its occurrence. Both medical and surgical methods are used.

Drug treatment consists of taking tablets, capsules, powders and injections. Local - in vaginal douching using a special rubber bulb with a hole at the end, in the use of vaginal suppositories or baths. Douching solutions must be selected with special care so as not to aggravate the situation.

Instead of suppositories, you can use tampons soaked in a medicinal preparation. Once in the vagina, the drug begins to act actively.

The surgical method is used in cases where women have been diagnosed with a tumor (atypical cells in a smear, etc.), there is a foreign body in the vagina, or there are other indications.

If the cause of leucorrhoea is thrush (candida infection caused by yeast-like fungi), then antifungal drugs (for example, clotrimazole, fluconazole) are used both in the form of tablets and suppositories.

The sexual partner should also undergo treatment from a urologist (if the cause of the abnormal discharge is an STI). The doctor selects the medicine for the man, taking into account the diagnosis.

Folk remedies for treating leucorrhoea

The patient’s condition can be significantly alleviated by using traditional medicine:

• Viburnum juice: drink 30 ml of fresh juice for 2-4 weeks.
• Decoction of immortelle flowers. Take one tablespoon diluted in a glass of water three times a day. The duration of treatment is 4 weeks.
• An excellent prevention and treatment for discharge is to rinse the external genitalia with cool water.
• Warm sitz baths with a decoction of pine or pine extract. To prepare the decoction 100 gr. dry pine is poured with three liters of water and simmered over low heat for thirty minutes. The strained broth is added to the bath. The optimal water temperature is 39 degrees.

In conclusion, we can conclude that if there are any changes in the nature of the discharge, you should immediately consult a doctor, since such changes in women are a signal that there are problems in the body.

To prevent the occurrence of pathological leucorrhoea, it is important:

1. Observe the rules of personal hygiene and wear underwear made of natural fabrics (cotton, bamboo underwear) - such measures will prevent disruption of the microflora, which should normally be acidic. It is this environment that will not allow bacteria to multiply.
2. Instead of regular soap, you should use special products that can be bought at the pharmacy. They are available in the form of mousses, gels and liquid soap.
3. Avoid casual sex. Stay faithful to one partner.
4. Treat all genital diseases in a timely manner.
5. Use only high-quality breathable pads for underwear or avoid using them altogether.
6. When planning to conceive a child, undergo a full examination by a specialist. This will allow you to detect the infection in time and exclude the appearance of pathological discharge during pregnancy and after childbirth.

With the onset of puberty, biological processes occur in a woman’s body related to preparation for the possible conception and bearing of a child. At the same time, the uterus and its appendages are reliably protected from infection by special mucus produced in the cervix. Naturally, some of the mucus is released. Physiological discharge does not cause discomfort to a woman. All that is required is compliance with hygiene rules to avoid the proliferation of pathogenic bacteria and the occurrence of inflammatory processes.

Content:

Composition and causes of physiological secretions

At the age of 9-12 years (beginning of puberty) and up to 50-52 years (end of menopause), women normally experience clear or white mucous discharge between periods. Their presence is as natural as other physiological fluids in the body: tears, saliva, mucus in the nose.

Vaginal discharge includes:

1. Mucus produced by special glands in the cervix. It forms a plug that prevents infection from entering the internal genital organs. In addition, changing the consistency and environment of this mucus allows the body to regulate the process of sperm penetration into the fallopian tubes, where fertilization of the egg occurs. Within a few days after ovulation (the release of a mature egg from the protective shell), conception is possible. At this time, the protective plug liquefies, its environment becomes slightly alkaline, favorable for the viability of sperm. In other phases of the menstrual cycle, mucus has an acidic reaction, which is detrimental to them.
2. Beneficial lactobacilli, the waste product of which is lactic acid. In addition to them, there are so-called opportunistic microorganisms (candida fungi, gardnerella, streptococci). They are not dangerous until a favorable moment occurs for their development (for example, hypothermia, an unusual stressful situation, diseases of other organs or injuries, or the woman taking certain medications).
3. Dead cells of the epithelial membrane lining the genitals. They are constantly replaced by new cells.
4. Physiological fluids penetrating through the walls of organs (plasma, lymph).

The difference between normal discharge and pathological discharge

Normal discharge is directly related to the menstrual cycle or changes in physiological state. Their volume and consistency change. They are usually transparent or white. May have a pale tint (cream, yellowish). They have no odor, sometimes due to the presence of lactic acid it can be slightly sour. Such discharge is not associated with sensations of pain, burning or itching, and does not cause skin irritation.

Pathology is the appearance of green, bright yellow, black, brown colored discharge. Moreover, their type does not depend on the phase of the cycle. They often have a heterogeneous structure, and an unpleasant odor appears (fishy, ​​sour milk, sweetish). Pathological discharge occurs in diseases of the genital organs (inflammatory or tumor processes).

Physiological mucous discharge appears in girls approximately 1 year before the onset of menstruation. At an earlier age, girls should not have any discharge from the genital tract. If they appear, this is a sign of a disease (for example, congenital damage by fungi, Trichomonas). You can also become infected through bedding. During the passage of a child through the birth canal, herpes infection is possible.

Sometimes inflammation occurs due to injury to the external genitalia or foreign objects entering them (for example, sand in a sandbox). The cause of the disease may be poor hygienic care of the child.

Pathology is also any type of discharge from the genital tract in postmenopause, when the reproductive system completely ceases to function. During this period, discharge (usually mixed with blood) occurs either due to damage to the vaginal mucosa as a result of thinning and dryness, or as a symptom of oncology.

Warning: If discharge appears in a little girl, it is imperative to consult a pediatric gynecologist, since in the future, an untreated disease will result in infertility and other complications. For older women, visiting a doctor in a timely manner and making a diagnosis can sometimes save lives.

Video: Discharge in women. Norm and pathology

Types of natural secretions

The nature of physiological discharge depends not only on the stage of the menstrual cycle, but also on the woman’s age, hormonal changes, and the presence or absence of sexual activity.

Discharge associated with the menstrual cycle

Immediately after menstruation, the so-called dry period begins, when the volume of discharge is minimal. By the time of ovulation (in the middle of the cycle), the amount of mucus, which resembles raw egg white in appearance, increases and can reach up to 4 ml per day. By this sign, a woman learns about the onset of ovulation. After 2-3 days, the volume of discharge decreases.

Immediately before menstruation, the discharge becomes similar to rice water, the intensity increases slightly.

Video: Normal discharge during the menstrual cycle

Occurring after the onset of sexual activity or change of sexual partner

In the genital tract of a woman, the microbiological composition changes due to the ingress of bacteria that are part of the natural microflora of the genitals of the sexual partner. During the period of adaptation to these changes, the amount of discharge increases, its color and consistency change. In this case, the woman does not experience any discomfort.

After sexual intercourse, if a condom is not used, the discharge may be jelly-like with clots. They are colorless or slightly white with a yellow tint. After a few more hours, the intensity of the discharge increases, it becomes more liquid and white. If sexual intercourse was protected, then scanty white discharge appears after it.

During pregnancy

Due to changes in hormonal levels, the blood supply to the genital organs increases, while more plasma enters the mucus through the walls of the vagina, so it thins out, and the intensity of discharge increases. A harbinger of an early birth is an even greater increase in its volume due to the increased work of the glands that produce mucus to lubricate the birth canal.

Warning: In the second half of pregnancy, the appearance of very thin and copious discharge, especially mixed with blood, may indicate the onset of premature labor. Immediate consultation with a doctor is required. In a normal pregnancy, an increase in the volume of discharge in the last weeks may be associated with the discharge of amniotic fluid. Such changes cannot be ignored.

After an abortion

The nature of the discharge depends on the method of artificial termination of pregnancy, on its duration, as well as the characteristics of the body.

After a surgical abortion (curettage), bloody discharge with clots is observed for several days. They are normal and are associated with damage to small blood vessels. Then they darken and stop. Regular discharge takes its place.

Medical abortion is performed using hormonal drugs. In this case, bleeding occurs in the uterus, and the fertilized egg is detached. After 2 days, the woman’s condition returns to normal.

Vacuum abortion is the least traumatic, the discharge after it is insignificant, and its normal character is quickly restored.

Video: Restoring the menstrual cycle after an abortion

After childbirth

At this time, lochia appears - physiological secretions consisting of blood clots, exfoliated uterine epithelium and cervical mucus. They can exist for about 6-8 weeks, then their intensity gradually weakens and they become lighter. In the first days, lochia looks like menstruation, then the blood impurities disappear, the color becomes yellowish-white. The consistency of the mucus is similar to egg white.

Subsequently, if a woman is breastfeeding, then in the absence of her menstruation, minor discharge is observed until the feeding period ends. Then they become ordinary, regularly changing in character.

During premenopause, during use and after discontinuation of hormonal contraception

Due to a decrease in the level of estrogen in the body, the production of mucus in the cervical canal decreases, and the epithelial layer becomes thinner. Vaginal dryness increases. Reducing the volume of secretions increases the risk of inflammatory diseases.

Hormonal contraception suppresses ovulation. In this case, the discharge becomes insignificant. If a woman stops taking birth control pills, the discharge pattern is restored.

Normal discharge from the genital tract is a sign by which a woman’s reproductive health is assessed. An attempt to get rid of them by douching or using inappropriate hygiene products can lead to changes in the composition of the microflora and cause inflammatory diseases or allergies. A change in the nature of the discharge, even in the absence of accompanying negative symptoms, should alert a woman, as it may be a manifestation of hidden diseases.