Most females experience vaginal discharge at times. This fluid or mucus is completely normal if it helps maintain vaginal health. The vagina must stay clean and moist.
Ladies often become concerned if they notice any change in this discharge. They may find that they’re experiencing more or less discharge, the consistency is altered, or the color changes. Hormonal changes can lead to changes in the discharge and provide information about where the woman is in her menstrual cycle. However, these changes can be indicative of other things, including pregnancy. Females find it helpful to have a discharge before period vs early pregnancy how to tell the difference resource they can refer to when they have questions.
Understanding Vaginal Discharge and Hormonal Influences
The vaginal discharge that females experience is a combination of bacteria, liquid, and cells that the vagina sheds each day. This discharge is normal and is necessary to lubricate the vagina and protect it against infections. It actually cleanses the vagina to maintain vaginal health.
Hormonal changes play a role in this discharge. The glands present in and around the cervix contain fluid, and this fluid mixes with the cells that line the vagina and cervix. Estrogen plays a role in the functioning of the glands and the lining; therefore, it also affects this discharge.
A woman’s estrogen levels drop at the start of her menstrual cycle, leading to the mucus looking dry or pasty. As estrogen levels in the body rise, the mucus becomes creamier. When ovulation occurs, estrogen levels peak, and this mucus becomes wet and slippery. Many people say it looks like raw egg whites, and this consistency is ideal for sperm to swim into the uterus to fertilize any eggs.
Pregnancy Discharge
Women will also experience this discharge when they are pregnant, as estrogen levels shift during pregnancy. Once an egg is fertilized, the estrogen level rises to support the developing baby. Vaginal discharge increases at this time to keep the baby safe from external infections. Women will notice the amount of discharge increases right up until they deliver.
How to Tell the Difference Between the Two
Women want to know how to tell the difference between menstrual discharge and pregnancy discharge. Menstrual discharge is typically creamy or white and thick. It won’t be as stretchy. Progesterone levels in the body naturally rise before a woman has her period. Furthermore, estrogen levels decrease so that the woman may experience less discharge right before her period. She might also experience symptoms related to premenstrual syndrome or PMS. These symptoms may include breast tenderness and mood swings.
Pregnancy discharge, in contrast, is typically thin, odorless, and has a milky white color. The volume increases due to rising estrogen levels needed for fetal development. Women usually notice discharge shortly after they ovulate, at a time when they would expect the mucus to be reduced. Furthermore, it is typically cloudier and stickier due to changing hormone levels.
White Discharge
Women who are eagerly hoping to get pregnant often look for early signs that they are expecting. A white discharge before their period is something that may indicate they are pregnant. However, women need to look for other signs that confirm the pregnancy.
Early signs of pregnancy include a missed period, nausea, and vomiting. Many women notice that their breasts become more tender and swell, or they may need to urinate. Implantation bleeding, headaches, and fatigue are also early signs of pregnancy. Women may want to take a pregnancy test if they have any of these symptoms.
Watery Discharge
A watery discharge might also be a sign of pregnancy. Women who notice an increase in the volume of the discharge and a thin, runny consistency may wish to take a pregnancy test. This type of discharge indicates high estrogen levels in the body, which are needed to support the pregnancy by thickening the uterine lining.
At times, the vaginal discharge can suggest there is an underlying health condition. When should a woman see a doctor?
If a woman notices that her discharge is yellow-green or has a foul odor, she needs to see a doctor as she may have an infection. When the discharge is white and has an appearance similar to cottage cheese, she may have thrush and require treatment.
When this discharge is pink after sexual intercourse at any time outside of the woman’s regular period, there is cause for concern. A woman should always see her doctor if she experiences itching, burning, or pain along with this discharge. Women should also see their doctor if they suspect they are pregnant based on changes in their discharge.
Every woman experiences changes in her vaginal discharge. These changes are often the result of her body moving through the various stages of the menstrual cycle. However, these changes may also indicate a pregnancy, an infection, or another condition that needs to be diagnosed by a medical professional. Women often struggle to identify the cause of their discharge based on its appearance, consistency, or odor.
While waiting for this medical appointment, a woman may be able to ease her mind by considering various things that could help her determine whether it is pregnancy discharge or period discharge. She needs to consider the timing of the discharge. If she tracks her cycle, this process becomes much easier. Pregnancy discharge would only occur after ovulation and last beyond the expected period.
Furthermore, women who are getting ready to have their period often have symptoms of PMS, while women who are pregnant frequently experience vomiting, nausea, and breast tenderness. It is helpful to consider other symptoms she is having when trying to determine which type of discharge she is experiencing.
Women may use this resource to ease their minds. However, any change in discharge should lead to a visit to a medical professional for an official diagnosis. Once this diagnosis has been received, the female will have peace of mind knowing that she has done everything possible to protect her health and possibly give her baby the best start in life.
