Sticky Vaginal Discharge – All You Need to Know

Many people experience bloating before period and vaginal discharge. Pain in the lower tummy and around the belly button is called cramping. It is common to have some discharge from the Vagina or Cervix. Normal vaginal discharge varies in consistency from sticky and milky white to clear and watery, but abnormal discharge has an unusual appearance, texture, or odor, and is commonly accompanied by itching or discomfort. It is quite normal to question the color or consistency of your discharge and have it checked out. Vaginal discharge has a different color depending on your cycle or underlying health condition. However, some of which merely implies a healthy body.

The color, consistency and the amount of the discharge varies based on the day of your period cycle:

• The first week – On the first day of your period, you will not be able to notice discharge since it will be red and cannot be distinguished from your period.
• The second week – After your period there will be no discharge for a few days until the estrogen levels get higher.
• The third week – Cervical mucus increases along with increased levels of estrogen. It may start out thick, sticky, or tacky before becoming wetter and creamier, similar to a lotion.
• Fourth to fifth week – Cervical fluid production increases significantly as ovulation approaches. Your vaginal fluid will become slicker as its water content rises, making it seem much wetter. When ovulation is finished, vaginal discharge changes again. Cervical fluid will have gotten more fibrous even before you see a visible change.
  
  

Different Colors of Discharge and What They Imply

• White - White discharge can be cream or a pale yellow. If there are no other symptoms, white discharge is most likely an indication of healthy lubrication. However, a white discharge accompanied by a strong smell along with the consistency of cheese can mean an infection. A person should seek medical advice. Itching or irritation can also be caused by a thick white discharge with a strong smell which is also known as a yeast infection.
• Clear – Most often, vaginal discharge is clear or pale. It can also either be transparent or have an egg-white consistency. Right before you ovulate or during sexual arousal or throughout pregnancy, you might experience a transparent and clear discharge.
• Gray - Gray vaginal discharge is unhealthy, and it can be a sign of bacterial vaginosis, a frequent bacterial infection (BV). Other vaginal symptoms associated with BV include itching, irritation, a strong smell, color difference around the vaginal opening. Anyone experiencing grey discharge should seek medical attention as soon as possible. Antibiotics are normally prescribed by the doctor when the BV has been diagnosed.
• Yellow-green – A minor yellow color in the discharge may not signal a problem. This is especially true if the change in color is solely due to a change in diet or the use of dietary supplements. If you have a bacterial infection or a sexually transmitted disease, your discharge can be a darker shade of yellow, yellowish-green, or green. Look out for thick, clumpy or odorous vaginal discharge and promptly see a doctor.
• Pink – A vaginal discharge can look bright pink or even darker pink. This is because it is common to have a small amount of blood in the discharge. However, if you are pregnant, it can indicate implantation bleeding. Spotting can happen after ovulation which in turn causes pink discharge. After sexual intercourse, if there is a small tear or irritation in the vagina, then also the discharge can be pink.
• Red – Red vaginal discharge is mostly due to the ongoing period. On average, menstrual cycle starts every 28 days with the bleeding lasting for 3 to 5 days long. If you are experiencing bleeding before your menstrual cycle, it is important to meet a doctor and seek professional advice. Bleeding before your period or between cycles can be caused by a lot of reasons that might not be grave. However, in some cases, they can be serious. If you have reached menopause and have had at least a year without periods, and then experience vaginal bleeding, you should immediately seek medical attention as this could be a sign of endometrial cancer.
  
  

When to See a Doctor?

If your vaginal discharge looks strange or smells strange, it is important to see a doctor. You should see a doctor if you have any of the following symptoms.

• Itching
• Soreness or discomfort
• Frothy or cottage cheese-like discharge
• Spotting after sex on a frequent basis
• Grey, green, or yellow discharge
• Strong smell
• A burning sensation during and after passing urine.
• Bleeding when you are not on your cycle or after you have had menopause.

A doctor would normally conduct a pelvic examination in order to understand the cause. They might also need to collect a sample of the discharge for testing purposes.

A sticky discharge keeps the vaginal area moist while also removing dead cells and bacteria. People's normal discharge looks and smells differently. It varies throughout the menstrual cycle as well. Normal discharge does not itch or irritate the skin. It has no odor and might be clear or white in color, with a yellow tinge on occasion. For these days, you can use the Carmesi Intimate Cleanser which will prevent infection, itching, discomfort and soreness.