The so-called “normal” vaginal discharge.

What's Normal

Vaginal discharge tends to follow a fairly predictable pattern depending on where you are in your menstrual cycle.. What's common: A small amount of spotting in the days after your period until just before ovulation (middle of the cycle), where it will be a little heavier for a few days. Then the amount slowly decreases until the day before your next period. You may notice some variation in color, thickness, and texture, but for the most part normal discharge is either clear or white.

If you are not ovulating - i.e. if you are pregnant or on hormonal birth control - you will not have the same cycle of losses as someone who is ovulating. People on hormonal birth control may experience no spotting, or only a small amount of clear or white fluid throughout their cycle. Pregnant women usually notice a constant flow of larger secretions due to increased estrogen levels.

Light brown or dark brown discharge

If your period ended recently — within the last three days — you might notice a day or two of light or dark brown spotting. This is completely normal: it is simply your uterus which evacuates the last substance from its wall. The reason for this darker color compared to your period? It's older, oxidized blood mixed with cervical mucus.

White and light discharge

After your period ends and until you ovulate, you may notice some light, whitish-colored discharge. You may also not notice any secretions. These two cases are quite common.

Very white and sticky discharge

Around the time of ovulation, usually in the middle of your cycle, you will notice increased discharge for a day or two, similar to an egg white and sticky to the touch. If you're trying to get pregnant, now's the time to have sex. If you don't want to get pregnant, now is the time to be extra careful when having sex. Keep in mind that you are most fertile not only during ovulation, but also in the days before and after. The egg spends a few days in transit, so you have some time on each end to conceive.

Clear and thick discharge

After ovulation and up to a few days before your period, you may have clear but thicker discharge. Generally, the discharge is lighter than when you ovulated.

white and thick discharge 

In the days leading up to your period, the flow may change, becoming thicker and whiter. This indicates that your next menstrual cycle is about to begin.

If you are pregnant, your discharge will likely be fairly consistent throughout the 40 weeks. This is called leucorrhoea and is caused by pregnancy hormones.

source: refinery29

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