Vaginal discharge is normal and healthy, but changes to vaginal discharge are a common cause of concern. Show Discharge is generally your body’s way of getting rid of dead cells in the vagina and preventing harmful bacteria from traveling up the uterus. But it is important to pay attention to any changes to your discharge, including its color and smell, as these can be indicators that something is wrong. In this article, I’ll discuss the common reasons for watery discharge, as well as more serious causes of vaginal discharge and their symptoms. I’ll explain possible treatments and home remedies. Finally, I’ll tell you when you should see a doctor. The volume of normal vaginal discharge differs among people with vaginas. Usually, a thin, clear, or milky discharge is seen as healthy, as long as it does not have an unpleasant smell. Vaginal discharge comes in different colors, odors, and textures. The difference in vaginal discharge depends on the time in your menstrual cycle or the presence of an infection. For example, discharge tends to be thicker around the menstrual period. Have questions about discharge? Chat with a medical professional today. Get Started Causes of watery dischargeVaginal discharge can start one year before a person with a vagina starts their period. It will then continue throughout their reproductive years. During these reproductive years, people with a vagina produce about 1-4 mL of discharge daily. Watery discharge can have different causes.
Serious Causes and SymptomsWatery vaginal discharge is usually harmless, but if you notice a change in the amount or consistency of discharge, it may be caused by an infection or combination of infections. The telltale signs are the color of the discharge and the associated symptoms. Some of the serious causes of watery vaginal discharge include:
If you are experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned above, reach out to your healthcare provider to figure out the next best steps in terms of testing and treatment. Possible Treatments and Home RemediesWatery vaginal discharge might not indicate an infection, but it can be uncomfortable wearing wet underwear all day. Depending on the cause of the watery vaginal discharge, there are steps you can take to avoid worsening the situation and help with the discomfort:
These recommendations will help manage healthy watery discharge and prevent some illnesses that can cause new watery discharge. Have questions about discharge? Chat with a medical professional today. Get Started When to See a Medical ProviderWatery vaginal discharge is rarely harmful, but sometimes it can be a symptom of a serious infection. You cannot correctly self-diagnose, and may need to visit a doctor for an examination. Before the physical examination, your doctor might ask you some questions like:
After the questions, the doctor might take a sample of the discharge to test for infection, and recommend treatment if necessary. How K Health Can HelpDid you know you can access online urgent care with K Health? Check your symptoms, explore conditions and treatments, and if needed, text with a healthcare provider in minutes. K Health’s AI-powered app is HIPAA compliant and is based on 20 years of clinical data. K Health articles are all written and reviewed by MDs, PhDs, NPs, or PharmDs and are for informational purposes only. This information does not constitute and should not be relied on for professional medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment. |