White Discharge Week Before Period: Thick or Watery? 5 MAIN Causes

Question: What causes thick or watery white discharge week before period?

Just a few days to your period, it’s normal that you are observing minor changes in your body. Women usually get different symptoms when expecting their menstrual period, and in some women, it could affect the way they look, their breasts, and also their vaginal discharge.

In fact, in some women, a watery or thick vaginal discharge one week from the next period can happen in early pregnancy – but discharge alone cannot confirm pregnancy.

The truth is, white discharge from your vagina is healthy in most cases and occurs naturally as your body helps in removing mucus and dead cells from your vagina. Normal discharge is usually clear or white, does not smell strongly, and may change in amount during your cycle. Cleveland Clinic

Here’s an email I received from Ace (one of my readers):

Hi Dr. Dunn
I had surgery for endometriosis two months ago because I did experience very severe cramps in my lower abdomen and back. After surgery, I felt okay as I don’t feel so much pain anymore.

I am worried about a fluid-like discharge from my vagina that is white and watery. I’m about 1 week before my period starts. Is this a sign of endometriosis or am I pregnant?

Endometriosis itself usually causes pelvic pain and heavy or painful periods rather than watery white discharge. The kind of discharge Ace describes is more often related to normal hormones, early pregnancy, or, sometimes, infection.

Your vaginal discharge volume and texture can sometimes change in early pregnancy, but they are not an easy or reliable way to detect if you are pregnant. If you’ve had unprotected sexual intercourse and then notice a watery vaginal discharge a week before your period starts, it could be one of the early changes in pregnancy, but only a pregnancy test can confirm this. Cleveland Clinic+1

Generally, a thick non-smelly discharge is common after ovulation and occurs because of physiologic elevation of progesterone hormone. Cleveland Clinic

As you approach your menstrual period, there is usually a fall in progesterone that may result in vaginal dryness or very little vaginal discharge in some women.

Other reasons for white discharge before period are delayed ovulation, sexual intercourse, yeast infection, bacterial vaginosis infection, and sexual stimulation.

This article explains the reasons you have milky or creamy white discharge week before period, signs that show you may be pregnant, and when to worry about your discharge. 

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What causes women to have vaginal discharge?

Your vagina, like other parts of your body, has a natural protective mechanism that helps keep it clean, while also fighting against infections.

Cervical glands help in the production of whitish fluid that moves down your vagina and removes dead cells. A normal vaginal pH is acidic (about 3.5 – 4.5), which supports healthy bacteria that protect the vagina and makes it harder for harmful bacteria to overgrow. Mayo Clinic+1

Provided your vaginal discharge is whitish or clear, non-smelly, and without any irritation in your vulva and lower abdomen, you usually do not need to worry about an infection. However, if the color, smell, amount, or consistency suddenly changes from what is normal for you, it can be a sign of infection and you should talk to your doctor. ACOG+1

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What causes white discharge week before period?

Whether vaginal discharge is watery, thick, creamy or egg white, if you notice an excessive whitish discharge before your period, here are possible reasons:

1. Your period is approaching

One easy way to learn when you are close to your next period is your vaginal discharge. If you’ve been observant, you will have noticed changes to the way your vaginal discharge looks and feels.

Sometimes, your discharge becomes thick and cream-like, other times, you will notice your discharge is more watery.

When you are expecting menstruation in a few days’ time, a thick white discharge before period starts is not uncommon.

Other ways to know it’s your period coming are facial acne, breast pain after ovulation, body weakness, mild or severe cramps a week before period, headache, lower back pain, sleepless nights and abdominal bloating.

A thick discharge a week before period is not abnormal and occurs because of higher progesterone hormone levels after ovulation.

2. You are pregnant

If you are expecting a baby or worried about being pregnant, your vaginal discharge can be one of the early changes you notice.

Before the start of menstruation, if you experience a clear watery discharge before period, it’s possible you are pregnant. During pregnancy, progesterone and estrogen levels become elevated, and because of this, it’s normal that you have more discharge than usual. This normal pregnancy discharge (called leukorrhea) is usually white or clear, thin, and not associated with itching, burning, or a bad smell. Cleveland Clinic+1

Apart from excessive white discharge, if you are pregnant, you may also experience breast pain, body weakness, mild vaginal brown spotting, abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, and mood change.

What to do?

It’s important you understand what’s normal for you. A minor change in your body hormones may cause changes in your vaginal discharge.

Having said that, if you are experiencing pregnancy symptoms before your period, you can take a home pregnancy test, and if positive, talk to your doctor or midwife for antenatal care.

It’s also possible that you will have a negative pregnancy test. This can happen if pregnancy hormones are still low to be detected and if the test was carried out very early.

If you still suspect pregnancy, wait till a week after missed period and check again. If tests remain negative and your symptoms continue, see your doctor to look for other causes.

3. You are experiencing a delayed ovulation

During your menstrual cycle, estrogen and progesterone will cause changes to your body, ovaries, and uterine endometrium.

Ovulation, which occurs when a mature follicle breaks open and pushes an egg to your fallopian tube, can cause you to experience a white stretchy egg-like discharge before the start of your period. This occurs because of the estrogen hormone surge that occurs around ovulation.

Most times, especially in women that have a 28-day menstrual cycle, ovulation happens around day 14 – 16 of your menstrual cycle.

However, an acute illness, weight loss, strenuous exercise, stress or other hormone imbalance may delay ovulation from occurring when due.

Signs of late ovulation are white watery egg-like discharge before period, mild abdominal cramps, lower back pain, fatigue, and breast pain.

4. During and after sexual intercourse

If you are sexually active, you will notice a wet feeling during and after intercourse. This occurs due to increased fluid into your vagina that helps ease friction, tearing, and pain.

A white discharge from your vagina after sexual intercourse is nothing abnormal and occurs because of increased Bartholin gland secretions, cervical mucus, and sometimes semen mixing with your natural discharge.

Talk to your doctor if vaginal discharge is smelly, offensive, yellowish, greenish, or if you experience severe pain while having intercourse, as this can be a sign of infection or another problem. ACOG+1

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When to worry about your vaginal discharge

If you experience any of these types of whitish vaginal discharge, talk to your doctor immediately.

1. White clumpy vaginal discharge with itching

Itching and thick clumpy discharge often occur because of a yeast infection (vaginal candidiasis). Yeast infection, commonly caused by Candida albicans, can happen even with no clear trigger, but is more likely with immunosuppression, high-dose steroid use, pregnancy, diabetes, recent antibiotic use, vaginal douching, and sometimes in women taking birth control pills. Mayo Clinic

Symptoms of yeast infection are vulva redness, itching, pain while urinating, painful sexual intercourse, and vaginal soreness. The discharge is often described as thick, white and “cottage cheese-like.” ACOG+1

2. White smelly discharge

If your vaginal discharge has an offensive odor and smells like fish, it’s likely you have a bacterial vaginosis infection. BV usually causes a thin, grey-white discharge and a strong “fishy” smell, especially after sex, and happens when there is an imbalance of the normal vaginal bacteria. CDC

Some sexually transmitted infections (like chlamydia or gonorrhea) can also cause abnormal discharge, sometimes with pelvic pain, bleeding after sex, or burning when you pass urine. If you are at risk of STIs, you should see a doctor or sexual health clinic for testing. Mayo Clinic News Network+1