Can periods cause clear discharge?
Periods are more likely to change the colour of your discharge making it less likely to be clear.
Vaginal discharge can change throughout your menstrual cycle. That’s because your hormones can affect how much fluid your cervix produces, and even what it looks and feels like.
On the first day of your period, the levels of two important hormones, oestrogen and progesterone are low. Oestrogen is responsible for vaginal discharge production, and at this point in your cycle, your cervix isn’t producing much. It’s unlikely you would notice this because you will have a period.
What does clear discharge mean after a period?
Clear discharge after a period usually means your hormone levels are returning to normal. However, you may not notice any cervical fluid because oestrogen levels are still on the rise.
As you move through your cycle and closer to ovulation, that is where an egg is released from your ovary and can become fertilised, leading to pregnancy, you may notice more vaginal fluid is being produced. At this point it may appear:
- sticky
- white
- creamy
- cloudy
During ovulation, your body produces more cervical fluid and it may become more slippery as the water content increases. You may even notice that it has an egg-white consistency around 1-2 days before ovulation.
How to stop clear discharge after a period?
White or clear odourless discharge is common and is usually a sign that the reproductive system is working as it should be.
Why is there a clear discharge before my period?
After ovulation, your cycle moves into the luteal phase and your vaginal discharge will change again. At this point, you may notice that the discharge becomes more stretchy or stringy. Some women may notice that their vaginal discharge becomes sticky, dry, or you may not have any discharge at all.