Watery Vaginal Discharge: What Does It Mean?

What Is Vaginal Discharge?

Most women in their reproductive age experience vaginal discharge every day. Though it can vary from person to person, a quantity of 2-5 ml of discharge is considered absolutely normal if it is clear or white, odourless and is not associated with symptoms like itching and burning sensations.- Dr. Vindhya Chandran, Senior Ayurveda Consultant at Nirva.

Vaginal discharge is a mix of fluids and cells from the vagina, cervix and uterus. Normal discharge looks colourless or milky-white and has a slight odour that isn’t unpleasant. Its consistency varies from watery to thick and stretchy, based on the normal hormonal changes in your body during the menstrual cycle. 

Healthy vaginal discharge is normal and is a sign of good health. It is the body’s way of keeping the vagina clean and balanced and protecting it from infections. 

Differences Between Normal and Abnormal Vaginal Discharge

How do you know if your discharge is normal or abnormal? Let us find out.

Normal Vaginal Discharge:

• Clear or milky-white in colour.
• Odourless or with a mild odour.
• Varying consistency at different times of the menstrual cycle.
• It can be thin and watery, creamy, thick or stretchy.
• It is not associated with symptoms like itching, pain, burning sensation, or swelling.

Abnormal Vaginal Discharge: 

• Yellow, green, brown, red, pink or greyish in colour.
• Strong, unpleasantly foul-smelling or fishy odour.
• Consistency varies based on the microorganism responsible for the infection.
• Consistency can be thick or clumpy, watery, frothy or sticky.
• Associated with vaginal itching, burning sensation and swelling of the vulva, or pain during sex.

Understanding these differences can help you identify abnormal discharge early and take steps to manage it.  

Understanding Watery Vaginal Discharge

Have you ever experienced vaginal discharge that is like water – clear, thin and abundant? Did you have to use panty liners because they were soaking your undergarments and making you feel uncomfortable? 

What causes this watery discharge? And more importantly, is it normal? Let us look at it closely.

Watery vaginal discharge refers to vaginal discharge that is thin, clear, secreted in larger quantities and looks quite similar to water. Watery vaginal discharge can be due to many reasons. It might be a result of something as normal as your hormonal fluctuations, ovulation or sexual arousal or something more serious like a health concern, especially when it occurs along with other symptoms like itching or soreness in the vagina. 

Let us look into the causes of watery vaginal discharge, one by one.

Watery Discharge and Ovulation

Ovulation is a natural and important phase of your menstrual cycle and also the time when your body undergoes hormonal changes. 

These hormone changes, especially the increase of oestrogen, cause the cervix to produce more mucus, which is thin, clear and watery, to help the sperm travel easily through the cervix into the uterus. This is the reason you notice more watery and thin vaginal discharge mid-cycle.

Watery Discharge in Pregnancy

Just as in the case of ovulation, normal hormonal shifts during pregnancy also result in watery vaginal discharge during pregnancy, especially in the first few months. However, it is necessary to know when watery discharge can be a cause for concern. 

• During pregnancy, there is an increase in blood flow to your pelvic area, which stimulates the cervix to produce more mucus that is thin and watery.
• In the early stages of pregnancy, especially during the first trimester, high levels of oestrogen causes the cervix and vagina to produce more mucus to keep the vagina moist and free from infections.
• Your immunity can be slightly reduced during the time of pregnancy. Due to the increased chances of contracting an infection, your body produces more vaginal discharge to flush out harmful bacteria from the vagina.
• Pregnancy lowers your vaginal pH, making it more acidic, as a natural protective mechanism against pathogens. This change in pH can also make the cervix and vagina produce watery discharge. 

When to Be Concerned?

Even though watery vaginal discharge is common during pregnancy, certain signs can indicate underlying problems. Reach out to your healthcare provider if you experience:

• A sudden increase in watery discharge from what you usually experience.
• Changes in colour, odour or consistency of the discharge.
• If the discharge is associated with pain or discomfort.
• If the discharge is blood-tinged or accompanied by spotting.
• Watery discharge associated with back pain and contractions.

A sudden increase in the volume of discharge may be due to amniotic fluid leak, and contractions and back pain along with the discharge can be a sign of preterm labour.  

Infections and Conditions Associated With Watery Discharge

Various infections and other health issues can also cause watery vaginal discharge. Here are some of these common infections:

1. Bacterial Vaginosis (BV)

• Bacterial vaginosis is the most common cause of vaginal discharge among women of childbearing age. Here the harmful bacteria proliferate in your vagina and outnumber the beneficial vaginal flora, leading to pH imbalance and inflammation. In response to this, your body produces watery discharge and tries to wash out the harmful bacteria. The discharge may be greyish, have a fishy smell, and be associated with an itching or burning sensation.

2. Yeast Infections

• Watery discharge is unlikely in yeast or fungal infections as they typically produce thick and clumpy vaginal discharge, which has a cottage cheese-like consistency. However, in the early stages of vaginal fungal infection, the discharge may appear more clear and watery. 

Read more about yeast infections and how it affects your gut.

3. Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)

Watery vaginal discharge alongside other symptoms like pelvic pain, discomfort during sex and burning sensation while urinating are commonly seen in these STIs:

• Trichomoniasis: This parasitic STI causes watery vaginal discharge, which is frothy, yellow-green in colour and has an unpleasant odour.
• Chlamydia: This bacterial STI also results in a yellowish-green discharge that is thin and watery.
• Gonorrhoea: This bacterial STI causes watery vaginal discharge, which is more abundant and, in advanced cases, associated with bleeding in between your periods. 

Watery Discharge and Cervical Issues

Apart from infections, some cervical issues can also result in watery vaginal discharge. These are:

1. Cervical Erosion

• Cervical erosion is caused by high oestrogen levels. Here, the cells lining the inside of your cervix start to grow on the outside. These cells are more sensitive and produce excessive, watery discharge. It is more common in women using hormonal contraception and during pregnancy.

2. Cervical Inflammation

• Infections of the cervix or exposure to irritants (soaps, douching and so on) can result in an inflamed cervix and the production of watery discharge.

3. Cervical Cancer

• Even though it occurs rarely, watery vaginal discharge can be an early indicator of cervical cancer. In some cases, the discharge may be blood-tinged and associated with symptoms like pelvic pain and bleeding in between your periods.

4. Cervical Cysts or Polyps

• Cysts are pouches filled with fluid, pus, or other material. Polyps are small growths which are usually non-cancerous. Cysts or polyps in the cervix, like Nabothian cysts, irritate the cervical tissue, causing excessive watery discharge from the vagina.

Watery Discharge After Intercourse

Some women experience watery discharge a little while after intercourse, which may last a day or two. If this has been happening regularly to you, it is important you understand what is causing it or whether you need medical attention. 

Post-sex discharge occurs immediately after you’ve had intercourse or within a few hours. It is thin, clear or white, watery and odourless. Here are some common causes of post-sex discharge:

• Fluids Produced During Arousal

Your body naturally produces lubrication during sex. After sex, this fluid, along with other vaginal secretions, causes considerable vaginal discharge. It subsides a few hours after sex.

• Semen

If ejaculation of sperm occurs inside the vagina, it can mix with cervical mucus and vaginal fluids, resulting in a thin, watery discharge. This semen-mixed discharge can last anywhere from a few hours to a day post-sex.

• Infections or Irritations

If you notice excessive post-sex discharge, which has an unusual colour (yellow, green, grey, red or brown) and foul odour and is accompanied by itching, burning sensation or pain, consult your healthcare provider to rule out possible infections. 

When to Seek Medical Help

As we have seen in this blog, a watery vaginal discharge can either be a normal part of your body’s natural process or could be a potential sign of infection. Watch out for these symptoms as they might need immediate medical attention:

• Unusual colour or odour of the vaginal discharge.
• Itching or burning sensation in the vagina or vulva.
• Discomfort or pain in the abdomen or pelvis.
• Painful sex.
• Bleeding or spotting in between your periods.
• Fever or chills.

If you notice any of these symptoms, visit your doctor to rule out possible sexually transmitted infections, bacterial vaginosis, yeast infections or more serious underlying conditions like cervical cancer.

How to Manage Watery Discharge

Is the watery discharge getting in the way of your normal routine? Do not worry. Take the right steps to tackle watery discharge. Here are a few useful tips:

1. Maintain Good Hygiene 

• Always keep your genital area clean and dry.
• Wear a not-too-tight cotton underwear.
• Change your underwear immediately if it gets damp due to discharge.
• Use panty liners if needed.
• Use a mild soap and water to clean your vagina.
• Avoid douching and using harsh soaps.
• After using the toilet, always wipe from front to back to prevent bacteria from spreading to your vaginal area.

2. Track Your Discharge 

Tracking the colour, odour and consistency of your vaginal discharge can help you identify any changes early on and seek medical care if necessary.

3. Practise a Healthy Lifestyle 

• Include a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables. 
• Drink enough water to stay hydrated. 
• Exercise regularly. 
• Get good sleep. 
• Practise techniques like yoga and meditation to improve your overall health.

Conclusion 

Vaginal discharge is your body’s natural defence mechanism to keep your vagina healthy and safe from infections. Every woman experiences vaginal discharge during their menstrual cycle. However, any odd colour, consistency or odour can be a result of infections or health concerns that may need medical attention. 

In this blog, we have seen what watery vaginal discharge is, how to differentiate between normal and abnormal discharge, its causes and tips to manage it. Remember that a healthy and balanced body depends on your reproductive health!

Good health is just a click away! Book a consultation with expert Ayurvedic practitioners at Nirva today!