Discharges of the most varied types are a common presence in women’s lives. In general, changes in vaginal secretions say a lot about your body. They can indicate the presence of bacteria, infections and diseases, signal that you are in your fertile period, and can even give you a clue that you are pregnant, did you know?
When accompanied by intense itching in the vagina or a strong odor, thick white discharge can be a sign of vaginal infections such as candidiasis (candida albicans)1, bacterial vaginosis, vaginitis, or another disease or fungal infection caused by different bacteria or fungi.
If it is white, transparent or has a milky, egg white-like appearance, with no other symptoms and no bad smell, it is considered normal, a simple secretion produced by the body.
Difference Between Discharge and Mucus
Even so, questions and reports are frequent: and the appearance of white discharge is one of those doubts that won’t go away! But first, it’s important to clarify: discharge and mucus are different things. Discharge is usually caused by some inflammation, bacteria, temporary illness, or fungus such as candida, for example.
It’s necessary to investigate, through a gynecological exam, what is causing the discharge. Once the gynecologist checks the symptoms and will probably request some tests (such as checking the vaginal pH, for example), they will recommend the appropriate treatment, which most of the time involves using antifungal medication or something to fight bacteria.
IMPORTANT: White mucus is healthy for vaginal flora. Most of the time, this white secretion indicates that female hormones are high, since they are responsible for its formation. When the discharge has burning, itching or odor, then it should be evaluated, as that is not normal.
So What Is White Mucus?
To understand this normal white secretion, we have to understand how the female body works. When there is a significant drop in estrogen and progesterone, menstruation comes, with a red-type menstrual flow. This is the easiest flow to identify, and can also be brownish, light, light red or have clots.
After the menstrual phase, estrogen production increases, making vaginal secretions more watery and transparent, a sign that ovulation is about to happen2. After ovulation, progesterone levels also rise and this is responsible for making the mucus, produced by glands present in the cervix region, thicker and whiter.
Why Does Mucus Increase?
After the ovulation phase, progesterone production is stimulated. The corpus luteum (the scar where the ruptured follicle was present) begins to produce high doses of this hormone and, as a result, there may be increased secretion3. All this is part of the menstrual cycle and should not be alarming.
If a woman has sexual relations during this phase and becomes pregnant, she will continue to generate secretions, as the body needs to keep producing this material even after menstrual delay. Some women may have some bleeding during this period. This can be a symptom of one of these things:
- Menstruation is coming early
- It’s implantation bleeding
- It’s breakthrough bleeding
To clarify, after fertilization, the embryo can take 7 to 15 days to reach the place where it will implant and grow. When this implantation happens, there may be light bleeding or brownish discharge.
Remember that any kind of bleeding should be taken as a possible upcoming period. Only consider implantation after a missed period and if you suspect pregnancy.
And if you notice this thick, white, ointment-like discharge after your period, it may just be a sign that ovulation has occurred. Remember that one of the causes of this mucus is a hormone, and it is present in your body all the time.
Types of Mucus
A common question from readers is about the texture. Many believe that this is one of the signs of a problem in the vaginal or cervical region, such as bacteria, fungi, or infections, but that’s not always the case.
Thick White Discharge
Thick white discharge, if not accompanied by bad odor, vaginal itching, or other symptoms such as burning or pain when urinating, usually doesn’t indicate any problem. As mentioned before, thick white discharge may just indicate a greater concentration of progesterone being produced by the body.
Milky White Discharge
As with thick discharge, milky white discharge without bad odor, itching, burning, or any other sign of abnormality is considered healthy. The more liquid or fluid the discharge, the higher the amount of estrogen.
Thick Transparent Discharge
This type of discharge, similar to mucus, appears during a woman’s fertile period and is caused by the large amount of estrogen produced by the ovaries. Some women produce this type of secretion throughout their whole fertile period.
Readers’ Questions
What other factors can cause white mucus?
Mucus can also change color and texture from the use of certain medications and supplements, depending on the woman’s age, and as a result of some diseases, such as diabetes. However, these cases are rarer and are the exception.
Is there a healthy amount of white mucus?
On average, the normal amount of mucus a woman produces is about one tablespoon per day. A sudden increase in the amount of white discharge can mean several different things, ranging from an infection to pregnancy.
Therefore, it’s important to observe the characteristics of the mucus and what stage of the menstrual cycle it’s happening in, and to make an appointment with your gynecologist whenever necessary.
Is it normal to produce white mucus during pregnancy?
Yes. The hormonal changes that happen to women during pregnancy make estrogen levels accumulate in the uterus. It is then expelled through the vagina in the form of mucus. This process does not usually affect the pregnancy, as it only happens once the placenta is fully formed, usually within the first trimester.
