Clear watery Discharge: Is It Normal? Causes Before, After, Instead Of Period

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 look pale yellow (especially when it dries on underwear) and still be normal. However, bright yellow discharge (or green discharge) is mostly due to an infection.

Clear discharge is normal in women. It is commonly caused by pregnancy or ovulation. However, rarely, a persistent change (especially if it is blood-stained, foul-smelling, or happens with pelvic pain/bleeding) could be a sign of a serious problem (including cervical problems).

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 3.8 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 

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 can 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, can be a pregnancy sign (but it is not proof).

Other pregnancy symptoms include fatigue, breast tenderness, and abdominal cramps. Some women will have slight bleeding or brown discharge. This can happen around the time your period is due and is not always “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 vaginal walls and Bartholin glands. 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 often 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, uncontrolled diabetes, or HIV infection. Also, your birth control pill (COC pill) may increase the risk of yeast discharge in some women, 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 and it may have little or no itching.

The good news is that BV can be treated with the use of metronidazole but it can come back.

6. Pelvic inflammatory disease

This is mostly due to vaginal infection caused by gonorrhea and chlamydia. Women may complain of pelvic/lower tummy pain, pain during intercourse, pain when peeing, bleeding between periods/after sex, and unusual (often yellow/green or smelly) vaginal discharge. If not treated early can cause infertility and increase your risk of an ectopic pregnancy.

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 can happen in early pregnancy, but 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 can 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, one-sided abdominal pain and vaginal bleeding (or brown watery 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?

Thin discharge with a fishy smell is likely due to bacterial vaginosis. Thick white discharge (often like cottage cheese) with little or no smell is more 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 a strong odor or vaginal burning. Bacterial vaginosis causes white/grey discharge with a fishy smelling discharge.

Now it’s your turn to let us know your symptoms or questions.