If you are here because you are worried about it, then let your worries be cleared because the watery discharge is normal for every woman and this begins when a female hits puberty.
Let’s dig about it more and see what the causes are and how to deal with it.
What is Vaginal Discharge?
Vaginal or watery discharge is a fluid that comes out of the vagina. It consists of bacteria and fluids. Normally, it appears clear or white in color. It should have a mild odor to it, which is not unpleasant at all. Most of the women have experienced it at some point during their life. Discharge is usually white or clear. Some women experience it on an everyday basis, while others experience it only occasionally.
Vagina discharges this fluid to keep itself clean and to maintain a perfect pH balance between good bacteria and bad bacteria. Most importantly, the dead cells are also cleared out in this process.
What are the causes behind it?
As we have discussed above, vaginal discharge helps in keeping your vagina clean and free from infection. It can start anywhere in the timeframe of about six months to one year before a girl gets her period. So, there are lots of factors behind its happening. Let’s discuss it one by one.
- Puberty
Whenever a woman hits puberty, in the age of 10 – 13, she also starts secreting a clear watery discharge. The timeframe of discharging fluids can occur anywhere between six months to one year before her first period.
- Ovulation period and its stages
Different women experience different amount and appearance of vaginal discharge. It all depends on her menstrual cycle. There are different phases during her Ovulation period, and it reacts differently to each stage.
What is Ovulation?
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- It is the name of the process that usually happens once in every menstrual cycle when hormone changes and compel an ovary to release an egg.
- At the End of the monthly period cycle, the discharge will appear brownish whereas, at the beginning of the monthly cycle, it seems to be completely dry or sticky.
- And at the time, just before you ovulate, your body releases up to 30 times more than the usual amount of vaginal discharge because your body is producing more estrogen. This discharge would be purely white and sticky.
- Excessive Working out
You might also experience a water discharge just after working out. It’s normal, unless you feel any itching or discomfort.
- Sexual Arousal
Women also experience white or watery discharge during the sexual arousal. The release, in this case, serves as a lubricant to facilitate penetration.
- Contraceptive Pills
It is normal to experience vaginal discharge when you are having contraceptive pills because all of this is linked to your hormones.
- Significant Dietary Changes
Food also affects your vagina’s pH balance, that’s why discharge is also linked to it. Like excessive intake of sugar can lead to this. Healthy and a balanced diet consisting of fruits, yoghurt, and vegetables can control this and helps in maintaining a good pH balance.
- Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding also affects your discharge because it decreases the estrogen level of hormones. Means you won’t be able to produce many vaginal discharges in those days. Vagina would feel drier and more prone to itching and infection.
How much is clear watery discharge considered normal?
The amount of vaginal fluids that you release is dependent on your hormonal cycle, but it is normal to secrete 1-4 mL or ½ teaspoon of vaginal fluids every day. And there’s nothing to worry about this.
How to deal with it and when to seek help?
There is no need to be worried about a clear, simple, and water discharge until and unless you face any severe condition like infections and STIs, abnormal discharges, noticeable changes in color (Yellow/Grey/Green), odor (very strong/fishy/sour), consistency (White discharge in chunks like cottage cheese), or amount of the vaginal discharge.
If any of the above things happen, then you should make an appointment with your gynecologist.
How to manage the excessive moisture caused due to discharge?
Moreover, vaginal discharge is normal and healthy. There’s nothing you can do to prevent it, but there are ways of dealing with it. Excessive moisture in your underwear can be both uncomfortable and unhealthy. So it’s important to keep the area dry.
- Try to use Panty liners and pads for managing the excessive moisture.
- Changing them throughout the day should keep you dry and comfortable.
- Avoid products with deodorants, because they can irritate.
- Regular vaginal showers with soap and water are the best to keep the area healthy and clean.
Kinds of vaginal discharges when you should be worried
Last and most important topic to be discussed is you should also be aware of other forms of discharge that may be a sign of hormonal imbalance or any other severe infection. And that’s the case where you should be worried and would need immediate help from the doctor.
- Watery Discharge Instead of Monthly Periods
Women get a watery discharge for many reasons throughout their ovulation stages, but getting a vaginal discharge instead of a period is alarming. It could have several causes like pregnancy, PCOs, Hormonal imbalance, Endometriosis, SID, stress, and birth control. So, there is no definite way of knowing what the cause may be, until you go to a good doctor.
- Vaginitis
Vaginitis is a term used for inflammation in vagina or vulva that causes discomfort, irritation, itching, burning, or pain. Only a good doctor can suggest suitable antibiotics for it.
- Yeast Infection
A yeast infection happens due to excessive growth of bacteria and yeast cells in your vagina which multiplies after and after. Only a good doctor can suggest suitable antibiotics for it.
Watery discharge can be extremely uncomfortable, but it’s completely normal. Just identify your symptoms and talk to a doctor instead of getting worried and tensed.