Having clear, white vaginal discharge is normal. But sometimes you may notice an increase in vaginal discharge. Know if it is normal or something to be concerned about.
Vaginal discharge, which is the fluid that comes out from the vagina, is usually watery or a little thick. It may also have a slight odour. While some experience it daily, others may not have it frequently. Sometimes, the fluid is an indication of vaginal health and cleanliness. So it’s natural for women to worry in case of heavy discharge and wonder about the causes of vaginal discharge and if it is normal. Is it a sign of pregnancy, a regular feature of your menstrual cycle or an infection that you need to get treated for? Read on to get all your doubts cleared.
What is vaginal discharge?
It is a fluid produced by the glands in the cervix and vagina to help clean as well as protect the vaginal environment. “It is made up of mucus, bacteria, vaginal secretions, and old cells that the body naturally sheds,” says obstetrician and gynaecologist Dr Sadhna Singhal Vishnoi.
The discharge from your vagina plays a crucial role in maintaining vaginal health by:
- Keeping your vagina clean: It flushes out bacteria and dead cells, which can prevent infections.
- Maintaining vaginal potential of hydrogen (pH) balance: The vagina has a slightly acidic pH, which is around 3.8 and 4.5. “Maintaining it can help prevent harmful bacteria from growing,” says the expert.
- Lubrication: It keeps the vaginal walls moist, which helps prevent dryness and discomfort.
- Supporting fertility: During ovulation, discharge becomes slippery and stretchy, helping sperm reach the egg.
Vaginal discharge, which is usually white in colour or clear, varies with the changes in hormone levels, as per research published in Singapore Medical Journal in 2020. “The amount varies, but up to one teaspoon of vaginal discharge in a day is considered normal,” says the expert.
What are the causes of an increased vaginal discharge?
An increase in vaginal discharge may be due to the following reasons:
1. Ovulation
Around the middle of your menstrual cycle (days between 10 and 14) estrogen levels peak, and leads to an increase in vaginal discharge. “This makes the cervix produce more cervical mucus, which becomes clear, slippery, and stretchy,” says the expert. This helps the sperm move easily and increase the chances of pregnancy.
2. Pregnancy
While expecting, estrogen and progesterone levels increase, leading to an increase in vaginal discharge. “This thin, milky white fluid with no odour helps prevent infections and maintains a healthy environment for the baby,” says the expert.
3. Sexual arousal
When you are sexually aroused, the Bartholin’s glands, located near the vaginal opening, produce a clear, watery fluid. This lubricant helps reduce friction while having sex. “The cervix also releases mucus, increasing vaginal discharge,” says Dr Vishnoi.
4. Birth control
Oral contraceptives, hormonal intrauterine device, or hormone replacement therapy can cause an increase in vaginal discharge. During a 2022 study, published in Contraception, participants experienced increased amounts of discharge in the first few months after starting birth control. “This happens due to fluctuating estrogen and progesterone levels,” says the expert.
5. Vaginal yeast infection
A vaginal yeast infection occurs when Candida albicans, which is a type of fungus, overgrows in the vagina. “It often happens after using antibiotics, eating a lot of sugar, stress, pregnancy, or diabetes. These are some of the factors that can disrupt the natural vaginal pH, and lead to thick, white heavy discharge,” says the expert
6. Bacterial vaginosis
It is caused by an imbalance in vaginal bacteria, where the harmful ones outgrow the good bacteria or lactobacilli. “You can experience thin, grey or white discharge with a strong fishy smell,” says Dr Vishnoi. Bacterial vaginosis is the most common cause of abnormal vaginal discharge, including heavy discharge, as per research published in the International Journal of Reproduction, Contraception, Obstetrics and Gynecology in 2021.
7. Sexually transmitted infections
Sexually transmitted infections like gonorrhea, chlamydia, or trichomoniasis can cause an increase in vaginal discharge due to inflammation and infection. “These infections spread through unprotected sex, and can lead to a discharge in yellow or green colour with a strong odour,” says the expert.
8. Menopause
During menopause, estrogen levels often fluctuate. “Vaginal dryness is common among women in their mid-40s and 50s. Some women can also experience an increase in vaginal discharge, which is thin and watery, due to hormonal shifts,” says the expert.
How to treat an increase in vaginal discharge?
Treatment depends on the cause of heavy vaginal discharge:
1. Yeast infection
If your discharge is thick, white, cottage cheese-like fluid, and you feel itchy down there, it can be due to a yeast infection. “Antifungal medications and probiotics can help to restore vaginal flora, and get rid of the infection,” says the expert.
2. Bacterial vaginosis
Greyish-white heavy discharge with a strong fishy odour and a little bit of itching are signs of bacterial vaginosis. “Antibiotics like metronidazole or clindamycin, in oral or vaginal gel form, may help,” says the expert. Also, avoid vaginal douching, as it disturbs vaginal flora.
3. Sexually transmitted infections
Apart from an increase in vaginal discharge, it leads to greenish-yellow frothy fluid with foul odour and intense itching. “Antibiotics like metronidazole and tinidazole may be prescribed by your doctor to treat trichomoniasis,” says Dr Vishnoi. In case of chlamydia, you may experience white or yellowish discharge with an unpleasant smell. As for gonorrhea, the fluid is usually thin and green or yellow in colour. “Antibiotics like azithromycin or doxycycline may be given for chlamydia, and ceftriaxone for gonorrhea,” says the expert.
4. Hormonal imbalances
If you experience an increase in vaginal discharge during pregnancy, ovulation or menopause, it may be due to the fluctuations in estrogen and progesterone levels. “In case of too much estrogen, diet changes like eating more fibre-rich foods, and managing stress may help balance hormone levels naturally,” says the expert.
An increase in vaginal discharge may be due to different reasons, including pregnancy. If it’s an infection, you may be given medicine. Sometimes, even making small changes in your diet can help.
Related FAQs
Is it normal to have more discharge as you get older?
Vaginal discharge naturally fluctuates throughout a woman’s life due to factors like hormonal changes, and menopause. Women in the menopause stage can experience an occasional increase in discharge during hormonal fluctuations. Slightly thinner or more watery discharge is normal.
Does increased discharge mean pregnancy?
Not always, but it can be an early sign of pregnancy. An increase in vaginal discharge can happen for many reasons, including hormonal changes, ovulation, infections, or pregnancy. However, if you suspect pregnancy, it’s important to look for other symptoms like nausea or vomiting and take a pregnancy test to confirm.
