Clear watery Discharge: Is It Normal? Causes Before, After, Instead Of Period
Last updated on April 30th, 2019 at 02:17 pm
Clear watery discharge or clear discharge is common among women. It is a discharge that is clear, watery, sticky and sometimes stretchy. If you are concerned about your discharge, this guide will help understand what clear discharge means.
In this article, we will explain what causes clear discharge before, after or instead of period.
What is the normal discharge experienced by women?
Most women in their reproductive years will notice a cyclical change in their vaginal discharge. This is not usually a problem as it is normal. You may see your vaginal discharge is thick white or sometimes yellowish discharge or dark brown discharge.
Understanding the various colors will prevent any scare. Your discharge can be thick white and normal. This happens just before your period, and it is due to hormone changes in your body. It does not have any odor or vaginal itch.
Also, your discharge can be yellow due to the removal of old endometrial tissues that failed to come out during your last period. This is normal and usually stops in a few days. However, yellow discharge is mostly due to an infection.
Clear discharge is normal in women. It is commonly caused by pregnancy or ovulation. However, it could be due to cancer or a sign of ectopic pregnancy.
It is normal for every woman to have vaginal discharge as it helps to keep the vaginal canal clean and free from infection. The normal vaginal pH is between 3.5 and 4.5. This acidic pH is needed to keep the vaginal area safe from infection.
What causes clear watery discharge in women?
Most women that notice clear discharge is usually normal. If you are not sure about your discharge, you can dip your fingers in your vaginal area and examine it.
Watery discharge that occurs in the middle of your menstrual cycle is likely because you are ovulating. It is without odor or smell.
Here are the main reasons you have clear discharge:
1. Pregnancy (watch video)
Most women that get pregnant will experience a clear discharge that is excessive. This is due to increased progesterone and estrogen levels during pregnancy. It is normal and should not worry you.
Unprotected sexual intercourse weeks ago, heavy clear discharge and a missed period likely suggest pregnancy.
Most women get dry vaginas or thick-like white discharge before the start of the next period.
Lots of watery discharge from the vaginal area, before you’re expecting your period, is a pregnancy sign.
Other pregnancy symptoms include fatigue, breast tenderness, and abdominal cramps. Some women will have slight bleeding or brown discharge. This may be due to implantation bleeding.
2. Ovulation
Ovulation is the process of expelling a mature egg from the ovaries. For you to get pregnant, the sperm from the male partner must fertilize the egg.
Just before your ovulation, there is an increase in the level of estrogen. Estrogen stimulates the cervix to increase the production of mucus.
This is necessary to make the vaginal area watery to assist the sperm in moving up to the fallopian tube. Therefore, clear watery discharge in the middle of your menstrual cycle is a sign that ovulation is about to occur or has occurred. This is normal and without smell or odor.
However, if you notice any vaginal itching, pain during intercourse and fishy smelly discharge, it is likely due to an infection. You should inform your doctor.
READ MORE: How to know when I’m Ovulating: 5 MAIN Signs
3. During sexual intercourse
During the act of making love, there is an increased secretion of watery discharge from your Bartholin gland. This will boost your sexual excitement, reduce friction and also assist the sperm to move easily.
If you experience clear discharge after intercourse, then it is normal.
What causes abnormal clear discharge in women?
Clear vaginal discharge that has no smell or odor is not due to an infection.
However, if you have been noticing a change in your discharge color with pain and smell, it’s likely because there is a problem down there. Some of the abnormal causes are
4. Yeast infection
Yeast discharge is thick white and cheese-like. It is due to infection by Candida Albicans. Women complain of vaginal itching, soreness and vulva scratching. Not all women with a yeast infection will have symptoms of infection.
Vaginal discharge due to yeast infection is common in women with a weak immune system, HIV infection. Also, your birth control pill (COC pill) can cause yeast discharge, especially high dose estrogen pills.
Therefore, if you notice a thick white discharge with itching, then it is essential to let your doctor know.
READ MORE:
What does yeast infection look like or smell like?
5 Top Signs Of YeastInfection Discharge
5. Bacterial vaginosis (BV)
Do you experience fishy smelly discharge with odor? It may be due to bacterial vaginosis. BV occurs in women due to normal vaginal flora disruption.
Vaginal douching is one of the causes of bacterial vaginosis among young women. Symptoms and signs of BV include abnormal smelly discharge without pain or vaginal itching.
The good news is that BV can be treated and cured with the use of metronidazole.
6. Pelvic inflammatory disease
This is mostly due to vaginal infection caused by gonorrhea and chlamydia. Women will complain of abnormal green vaginal discharge with itching. If not treated early can cause infertility and threatened abortion.
When should I see a doctor if my discharge is abnormal?
It’s normal to get worried about any change in your vaginal color. Most women with clear discharge usually have no symptoms or infection.
However, any change in color with smell, odor, pain while urinating or during intercourse is abnormal. Find time to let your doctor know.
Frequently asked questions about clear discharge?
These are some common questions asked.
Is clear discharge a sign of pregnancy?
Yes. Lots of watery discharge instead of period when due is a sign you are likely pregnant. However, you should take a pregnancy test to determine if you are pregnant.
Is thick clear jelly like discharge normal?
Yes. This is normal in women and it is common during ovulation. The texture of your discharge will change during your cycle. It is thicker at the early and last parts of your menstrual cycle.
What causes clear stretchy discharge before period?
Clear stretchy discharge 2 weeks before your next period is usually due to ovulation. However, if your discharge is heavy, clear and watery just before your period, it may be a sign that you’re pregnant. If you are unsure of your pregnancy symptoms, you should inform your doctor.
Is white discharge in early pregnancy normal?
Yes. This is often referred to as leukorrhea. It is an early discharge experience in women due to high estrogen levels. It could have a mild odor and could be excessive. Yellow discharge while pregnant is likely a sign of infection. Clear stretchy discharge in early pregnancy is normal and does not require any treatment.
What causes clear watery discharge after period?
There are 2 major causes of clear discharge from the vaginal area.
If you have passed date for your next period with clear discharge, then you’re likely pregnant. After a missed period, abdominal cramps and clear discharge could be due to an ectopic pregnancy.
However, if you had your period, clear discharge after period without odor, smell and vaginal itching are normal. It occurs during ovulation or after sexual intercourse.
What causes clear watery discharge with odor?
Thick white discharge with odor is likely due to a yeast infection. If your discharge is clear and smelly, it may be due to an infection.
A normal discharge does not have an odor and vaginal burning. Bacterial vaginosis causes white discharge with a fishy smelling discharge.
Now it’s your turn to let us know your symptoms or questions.
Althea Dacosta
Hi.
I would like to ask you if it’s possible I am pregnant. I had what I think was spotting around the time I was supposed to have my period which was 17/7/17, it was relish brown and a little bit compared to my usual period. I’m now having watery/white discharge quite a bit too I am extremely tired all the time my areolas have got darker I have nausea and other symptoms.
Dr. Dunn A.
Yeah, it’s very likely you are. take a pregnancy test.
Faith
I have taken 3 pregnancy tests: two at home and one at the doctors. I was supposed to start my period the weekend of April 1, 2018, but I did not. I had severe cramps in the center of my stomach and it would spread out a little to each side. The pain would vary from a 1-10. I do have PCOS and I am a little overweight. Any idea on what it could be?
Christy
Hi,
I woke up this morning and wet myself with a lot of watery discharge looks a bit creamy.This is happening days before my period. Please I wanted to know if it was a sign of pregnancy. Thanks
Dr. Dunn A.
Oh yes, it’s possible you are pregnant, Christy. Take a test when possible. (After 7 days, if period is missed)
Joan
Hi Doc. I’m supposed to have my period today, I’ve been having cramps since like two days and my period isn’t here yet but I’m having a watery discharge. Can i be pregnant?
Charu
Hi
I have cramps in my lower abdomen since 3 days and my periods are due tomorrow. They are not heavy cramps but kind of feels like stretching and pulling! Don’t have any cm mostly dry but today noticed a bit of watery cm. The thing is I constantly feel wet but when I wipe there is nothing much. Could I be pregnant?
Dr. Dunn A.
Its possible you are pregnant, though, it could be signs your period is aproaching. Wait a few days and if you miss your period, it’s likely pregnancy.
summer
I have similar signs. I’ve missed my period for three days now and feel a mild cramping, damp feeling down there but not much wetness when wiped. Our difference probably is that I have irregular period, but Ovia (this app I’m using) says for this cycle I should have had my period three days ago. No breast tenderness, no other signs. But this wetness before my period arrives is something new; I’m usually dry a week before expected period begins.
I’m actually hopeful, and quite disappointed when I took my BBT this morning and my temp has dropped. I hope it’s just implantation dip.
Bethy
I missed my period last month July but I just finished this month period around 18th of August 2017, I had s*x on the 23 ( 5 days after) after I finished my menstruation. Two days after I saw some blood and now I am seeing pure excessive clear watery discharge please help me doctor.
Tine
Hi, It’s my 9th day delayed in period and this is my 3rd day having a watery discharge, no color, no odor. I’m trying to conceive for 3 years but since I have endometriosis, it’s very hard for us to have a baby. Would I be possibly pregnant? I believe 2-3 days delay is normal, how about my situation? And just incase, when is the best date for me to try home test? Thanks in advance for the answer.
Ann
Hi, i am running 11 days late for my period which was supposed to start from 14th of November. So I ran for home pregnancy test twice but both the result were clear negative I have not experienced any of prego sign either,yet. I had clear watery discharge 10 days ago for 2 days and again today on 24th November. Also, last month I was on antibiotic for around 15 days for ear infection. Can I still be pregnant? Or antibiotic is playing a trick on me?? I’m too stressed out because I’m not planting for one now. Your help is highly solicited. Thank you.
Xx
Hello ANN!
Saw your post and it describes me all the way to the antibiotics.. did you get your Period? Mine is currently 1 day late.
SIPHE
HI EVERYONE
MY CONCERN IS, MY PERIOD WERE LATE Jul USUALLY MY CYCLE IS 20-23 DAYS BUT IT’S BEEN THIS LONG UP TO 33DAYS, I SAW CLEAR WATER THICK DISCHARGE FOR COUPLE OF TWO TIMES AFTER A VERY SHORT PERIOD ON THE 19-20 WHILE ON JULY I WAS SUPPOSED TO GET IT ON THE 7-9 BUT I DIDN’T GET IT UNTIL AUG.
SO EVEN NOW MY PERIOD ARE LATE AGAIN I WAS SUPPOSE TO START ON THE 9th SEP STILL SO IM AFRAID TO TAKE TEST COZ MAY ITS JUST A CHANGE IN MY BODY OR SHOULD I VISIT DR. PLEASE HELP ME.
SIPHE
I FORGOT TO MENTION THAT LATELY IM VERY WET DOWN THERE AND IT’S EMBARRASSING ME YOOO
lil1016
Okay never experienced this in my life…last month my period was weird but last about maybe 3 days…This month I have spotted about 3 times and it is light pink and only there when I go the bathroom and only last maybe 30 min..well I had a little mild cramping yesterday…went to the bathroom and there was the light pink spotting which was 4 days before my period…now today is still mild cramping..but This time I had this thin wetish milky white discharge…and its now 3 days before my period…I have been very regular the last 6 years..never experienced anything like this…
Yong
Hi doc
Im 5 days late of my period and my cycle usually 30 – 35 days. I have watery discharge and feeling that im going to have my period. Is it because im irregular?
Nathiya
Hi Doctor….
I’m 2month late of my period… Am 26 years old and also married…my last period date is august 25th…I have little bit of watery discharge daily….and also very much of knee pain…tiredness…abdominal pain…i buy a pregnency testing kit and tested it…result is negative…why i have this symptoms please help me?
Kayley
My third month of ttc. I’ve been doing ovulation tests and they have all been negative yet I should of just ovulated due to the calculations. The last 2days I’ve been get lots of watery cm, feel like I’ve wet myself.
I don’t want to get excited incase I’m setting myself up for a fail again.
Could this be a sign? Not due on for another 2weeks today.
Ana
Hi I’ve been having alot of watery discharge a day before my period. I did had unproteced sex. I felt like my period was about to come because I felt slighty cramps gas and nauseated and sored breast like I usually do before my period but I only felt it for a couple of days maybe like 4 days. Right now I have no symptoms at all. My period is due tomorrow but I have excessive watery discharge. No smell and no itchiness. Can this be happening because I’ve been having too much stress? Or because I have a cold?
Ana
Or can I be pregant? If you have too much stress can you still get pregnant though????
Dr. Dunn A.
Possibly pregnancy, but taking a test is the only way to be sure. So take one!!!
Debbie Potter
Hi, I have been ttc for sometime now and learnt about BBT and ways to improve fertility etc. But yesterday was weird and im unsure if its just estrogen surge. But my period started late Saturday evening and needed a sanitary towel. By sundaymorning I used 1 tampon which by lunch time Sunday needed to be changed… And after that I’ve had nothing. Then Monday night I had what looked just Ewcm and now tuesday morning i woke up and felt like i had come back on my period,only to find it was watery fluid. My breast have been sore since last ovulation . And my temp dropped way down below my coverline for 3 days and then shot back up. I’m now around 36.60 Celsius during period I dropped to my lowest point of around 36.12.
martha shepard
hi i am 46 years old i have enormous watery discharge at sometimes my friends ask me if i piss on myself thats so embarrassing. i know i dont have an infection cause the discharge isnt thick,itchy or have an odor. i know im not pregnant cause my tubes are tied. could you tell me if its something i need to worry about?
Mari
Hi, I’ve had 2 missed periods and for the past month I’ve had a lot of watery clear discharge. No odor. I’ve done 3 pregnancy tests and they were negative. Could I still be pregnant? Or could it be caused by something else? I will be doing blood work and ultrasound but I wanted to get your opinion until I get results.
le-anne
Hi. I had my periods on the 30/12/2017 to 01/01/2018. had unprotected sex on the 02,03.and 04 January 2017 . but now I am experiencing cramping/period pain from the 06 January 2017 and there is clear watery discharge coming out from the 05th January.
Am I having my periods again? or is it implantation or something else
le-anne
sorry January 2018 not 2017
Katerina
Hi, I’m 3 days late for my period and I noticed ive got watery clear discharge. I took a PT, (first response, know 6 days before your period) this morning and it says negative, could i still be pregnant? If so how long should i wait to retest before it’ll absolutely tell me if I am or not.
Tiffany
Hello,
So, I had s*x on June 19th, 2017. I received my period June 25th, 2017. My periods are always normal but in August I had 2 periods, and October I never got a period. I got a period November & December, but not one for January 2018. I do experience a little pain in my ovaries time from time, I was diagnosed with cyst in 2011, but that’s about it.
Without_words
I have a question regarding this. I have been sexually active but there has been no release of sperm inside for almost 3 years. I had Gastric bypass in 2016 and my periods started coming back normally. Then in May 2017, I had to undergo emergency gallbladder removal. Only once have I had vaginal spotting which lasted a day. Now it is February 2018 and have not had a regular period since end of February 2017. I have normal menstrual cramps, but instead of blood release, I am getting a very almost colorless light pink discharge-like water. This has happened twice in the last two months. I have had to wear pads to soak up all the water. Could this be menopause? I am 44 years old. I have had four pregnancies in the past 17 years all of which were successful. One doctor told me that my uterine wall is very thin-the reason for the loss in monthly periods. I kind of want my period back. Is this just a hormonal imbalance?
Leslie Gonzalez
I am irregular , so my last period was “dec.15″had sexual intercourse w/o protection since Dec. 18-25th . 3 weeks later had a lot of cramping , and fatigue, headaches , breakouts, and sore breats ,On jan. 25th and days before that my discharge was white and stretchy, oderless through jan 27th, – feb. 04th my doscharge has been yolk white, clear super stretchy and oderless, and I’m irregular, took 11 ovulation test they have all been postive , now pregnancy test, they come out negative but on. Jan 25th, 31st, 1st, have been postive, so question is could I be pregnant? Or this is still an early pregnancy?
Kristina
I’m a week late and now theirs watery discharge that comes randomly I had cramps on the day I was supposed to start my period but no period could I be pregnant?
Ash
HI , I am currently experiencing abdominal pain and this morning I had watery discharge running down my legs! (Tmi sorry) I already had my period last month which was my normal period and about a week long. Once it ended about two days later I had bright red spotting then pink spotting for 3 days. Now I am dealing with This about a week after the spotting ended. Pregnant or ovulation? My period is due in about 2 weeks. Thank u!
liza
Hi Doc,
I am 23, my husband and I are not trying to concieve. My period changed from a solid 28 days to 48-50 days. I am a little overweight. I am haveing a sticky, clear discharge on the 28th day of my cycle and it lasts about 5-10 days.I have abdominal cramps at this time aswell and breat tenderness.I also have diarrhea where i usually was constipated.I have taken many pregnancy tests and all where negative. I went to my GP and he said it is nothing to be concerned about. He did not do any tests. I am concerned as I dont know what is happening to my body.
Leslie Gonzalez
Lisa I’m having the same situation, I pretty sure I’m pregnant took some test some were positive but I recommend to take a test, let me know if any updates
Jessica
Hello all was wondering if I could be pregnant? Took two test said negative and in about 5 days late and leaking clear fluids no smile just feels like I have wet myself or sweated a lot down their.
Tegan
I had unprotected s*x a month and a half ago, missed my period, I started having watery discharge today and I have a huge headache. Could I be pregnant?
Palesa
The last time i had unprotected s*x was last month and i took a morning after pill. It is past my periods now and i am experiencing excessive watery discharge with a smell..could i be pregnant please help Doc
Mary
Hello, I have. I’m worried as my last period was January 7, normal cycle is 28 days and regular. The week my period was due I had mild string like & brown discharge 2ce only when wiping. No period in February & several negative test with last one done 2/20/18. On 2/20-21 I experienced ovulation symptoms I include left ovary discomfort as usual during ovulation for me but now have a lot of clear almost watery discharge present specially when I wipe. Could I be pregnant even after 3 negative hpt?
B
Hi Dr!
I am on day 30 of my cycle. I have extreme cramping only on my right side which isn’t normal for me. I have excessive watery clear/creamy discharge, nausea, fatigue, small red spots on my breasts (no pain or tenderness). I have taken 3 pregnancy tests one was negative, one a line came up but only hours after (evap line I’m sure) and then this morning I took another test that was so faint I discarded it but this afternoon it was a strong blue line. Took another this afternoon that was negative and the digital was also negative. I can’t get in with my doctor for another week. What could this be?!?
Vpu
My period is two days due and my body pains ä lot with head ache I am experiencing clear discharge…i m expecting for my ?
Tina
I have had my tubes tied. I have been struggling with very heavy bleeding and clots. Last month I was 5 days late starting but had the cramps those days. Had my period which only lasted 5 days. Usually I am 10 days. This month I am 6 days late. I have had the terrible cramps but no bleeding, instead I have only had water discharge. They are just gushes and are a few times a day. Can you help me. I don’t know what’s going on. I am almost 45 yrs old.
Nomsa
Hi Dr
I’m experiencing clear stretchy discharge no odor or smell and no itching the problem is I have bit pain in my lower abdomen , I finished my period a week b 4 and had s*x 2 days after my period after 5-6 days I’m experiencing this clear stretchy jelly like discharge can it be a sign of pregnancy or menopause coz my period change dates now it was 28-30 now is 14-16 I am 39 turning 40 in coming 3 months
Solaw
Hi have always had irregular periods sometimes it’s regular sometimes it’s not. Since March I have not had my period and I did pregnancy test and its Negative and have been having watery discharge almost every day.i am 26 could I be pregnant.
Nathan Geier
This is not a “oh here are my symptoms, please tell me I’m pregnant” comment like most others on here.? My tubes are tied so im good. Anyway,Yesterday was my last day of my period and today have felt water come out of my vajay vajay. No odor and some very light pink color to some creamy parts of it (always normal for me day after) but the main fluid I feel come out is colorless. Is that normal? It started maybe 5 months ago and no pain but I have had intestinal stomach problems (I thought just needed to stay away from milk and bread)
Ashley
My last period was on mothersday may 13. I had intercourse with husband every day of ovulation, since then i hace been dizzy sometine stabbing pain in vagina area lower abdominal and lower back pain off and on every otger day. Mainly at night, cant sleep tired all tge time. And now i have a clear discharge when i was supose to start my period today (june 10th) taken test but got negatives. Since i am 1 day late with clear discharge that i never had before am i pregnant, and when should i test again to see if i get a positive??
ally
I had s*x last april 7. And I got my period a week after it. I also got my period last month. This month, my due date for my period is on June 23. But I am having a watery vaginal discharge. Is it normal?
Jess
Hi! I am 40 years old. I been having problems the last year of my life with heavy periods and gaining weight. My periods last a month or two months sometimes. And when period stop, I am OFF only for two weeks and ON again. Dr send me home with birth control pills. But is not stopping my period.
Now affter a year of suffering with those symptoms a started to experience a new symptom which is excessive watery clear discharge with no odor. This occurs when I have no period. I have been test for endometriosis or cyst and Dr said have no endometriosis or cyst.
What’s your advice for me? Is this normal? Thank you!!
Brit Brat
I was recently on the depo shot and it’s been 4 months since my last shot. Well recently I had some light spotting for about a week but no heavy period. Took pt but they all where negative. Now I’m having a clear discharge with all pregnancy symptoms but pt is still negative. What could possibly be going on
sara barker
Thats what is happening to me but I’ve been off it 9 months
Cheine
I had a watery discharge yesterday morning then I had my period in the afternoon. It did not fill up my pad. The period stopped around midnight and was just stain. Checked cervix it seems low, hard, and closed. I am a week early for my period. Is this normal?