Increased vaginal discharge is not something to initially worry about. There are many reasons why you may suffer from this and there are times that it is a good thing. However, there are types of discharge that you will need to look out for and can mean that there is an infection or problem.
Increased vaginal discharge during pregnancy
One of the early signs of pregnancy is an increase in the amount of vaginal discharge. This is not a very common sign but is something that some women may notice, especially if they are expecting pregnancy. The increased vaginal discharge is often milky white and usually odorless. It can often be mistaken for the sign that your period is about to start.
The discharge may be something that is in your underwear or you may not notice it until you wipe. There are also times that you will see some spotting in the discharge. This is not necessarily a bad thing. The spotting could be due to implantation but is something that you should keep an eye on.
If it is pink or brown and only lasts a couple of days then you will generally be fine. If it is bright red, heavy and with clotting then you need to see your doctor immediately as it can be an impending miscarriage.
A sign of infection
An increase in the amount of vaginal discharge may mean that you have an infection. This is something that you will need to look out for and will be clear by the color and smell of the discharge. While a mild odor is not uncommon, a fishy smell or strong odor is commonly a sign that there is an infection. You should also see your doctor if the increased vaginal discharge has a yellow, green or grey color to it.
You will also need to look at the thickness of the discharge. If there are clumps or it is much thicker than normal, it could be a sign that there is an infection. You may also find that the discharge is accompanied by itching or a burning sensation. This is also something that you need to see your doctor about.
There are a variety of infections that you may have, including an STI, urinary tract infection or a bacterial infection. The good news is that the majority of them can be cured with the use of anti-biotics and creams.
What can change vaginal discharge
There are a number of things that can change the amount of vaginal discharge that you have, and it is not just about an infection or pregnancy. Your natural menstrual cycle will create a different amount of discharge at different times. You will usually find that your discharge is thicker around the time that your period is due, because of the amount of hormones that are in your body.
Stress and emotions can also have an effect on the amount of vaginal discharge that you have. Increased vaginal discharge is often seen in women who are stressed about something or those who are running on high emotions. Sexual excitement will also have a play in the amount.
