Mucus discharge what does it mean

The amount of vaginal discharge can vary significantly from person to person. The color, consistency, and amount can also change from day to day, depending on where a person is in their menstrual cycle:. The shade of red can vary from bright to a dark rust color. Red discharge is most commonly the result of bleeding during a period.

Menstrual bleeding happens, on average, around every 28 days, though the normal range between 21 and 35 days. A period typically lasts for 3—5 days. Anyone who experiences bleeding between menstrual periods should see a doctor. Though there are many benign causes of intermenstrual bleeding, it can sometimes signal a serious condition. Anyone who has gone through menopause and not had a period for at least 1 year should see a doctor if they experience vaginal bleeding.

It can sometimes be a sign of endometrial cancer. The shade of white can extend to include cream or light yellow. If a person has no other symptoms, white discharge is most likely a sign of healthy lubrication. However, if the white discharge has a consistency like cottage cheese or is accompanied by a strong odor, it can indicate an infection.

An individual should see a doctor. White, thick, strong-smelling discharge is usually associated with a yeast infection, which can also cause itching or irritation. If the discharge has a very slight yellow hue, it may not indicate a problem. This is especially likely if the hue only coincides with a change in diet or dietary supplements.

Discharge that is a darker shade of yellow, yellowish-green, or green usually signals a bacterial or sexually transmitted infection. See a doctor promptly if vaginal discharge is thick or clumpy, or it has a foul odor.

Pink discharge most commonly occurs with spotting before a period. However, it can also be a sign of implantation bleeding in early pregnancy.

Some people experience a little bit of spotting after ovulation, which can also cause pink discharge. Old blood looks brown. Spotting blood — This may occur mid-cycle or when ovulating. Sometimes early in pregnancy you may have spotting or a brownish discharge at the time your period would normally come. Is This Normal? A doctor can give you a better answer than a simple web search by gathering additional information, such as: How old are you?

Are you taking any medications? Do you take herbs or vitamins? Do you have pain or itching? Are you pregnant? Do you have any other health problems, such as diabetes? If you have any of the following symptoms, see your healthcare provider: Discharge is yellow or green, clumpy or has a bad odor.

Rash or sores alone or with a vaginal discharge. Last reviewed: October Related Articles. More Resources. Medical Library Look up helpful health information. Diseases and Conditions See our full library of diseases and conditions. Patient Information Practical info for Sutter patients. Another way is to look for fluid on your toilet paper. Cervical fluid should be visible on the paper and look different than your other vaginal moisture.

If you want to get into it, you can also try dipping fluid-covered fingers into a glass of water. Cervical fluid will either stay stuck to your fingers or will sink to the bottom of the glass in a little clump.

Vaginal moisture, on the other hand, will dissolve in the water. It will take some trial and error to find a method that works best for you. Beginning of your cycle: menstruation. On day one of the cycle, the first day of your period, levels of both estrogen and progesterone are low.

Since estrogen levels determine cervical fluid production, the cervix is not producing much fluid at all at this time 4. Just after your period: absent, dry. In the days just after your period, estrogen is rising estrogen is produced by the follicle growing in your ovary as it prepares to release an egg at ovulation. Leading up to ovulation: sticky, white, creamy, lotion-y. As estrogen levels rise, the cervix produces more fluid.

At first, it might be thick and sticky or tacky, and become more wet and creamy, like a lotion. In a day menstrual cycle, you may first notice this fluid around day 9 or 10 1,4. Around ovulation: eggy, wet, slippery, clear, stretchy. As ovulation approaches, much more cervical fluid is produced. Your vagina will likely start to feel much wetter, and fluid becomes more slippery as its water content rises. Over a couple of days, fluid becomes stretchier and clearer.

As estrogen peaks, 1—2 days before ovulation, cervical fluid often resembles a raw eggwhite that you can stretch for inches between your thumb and finger 4,5. The amount of vaginal discharge at this time is different for everyone, but it can be up to 10—20 times more than other points in the cycle 6.

According to Google, people tend to call this type of cervical fluid "ovulation discharge". Ovulation tests and basal body temperature tracking is more reliable for confirming ovulation. Luteal phase: sticky, dry.

As soon as ovulation is over, vaginal discharge changes once again. Even before you notice a visual change, cervical fluid will already have become more fibrous and difficult for sperm to pass through 1. In the day or two after ovulation the beginning of the luteal phase , the amount of fluid decreases quickly.

Fluid again may become sticky or tacky, or just dry and absent 1,4.