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All women will experience some amount of vaginal discharge starting a year or
two before puberty and ending after menopause. The amount of discharge is
influenced by hormonal changes in a woman’s body related to her menstrual cycle
and will effect the vaginal environment. Beside the menstrual cycle, changes in
vaginal discharge will be affected by
pregnancy, use of medications, sexual
arousal, and stress levels. The ph (acidic) level of the vagina changes during
the menstrual cycle and is the least acidic just before and during menstruation
which makes the vagina more susceptible to infections.
To prevent
vaginal infections it is recommended to not use scented tampons or
pads during menstruation. A forgotten tampon in the vagina can cause an
infection. A condition called Atrophic vaginitis (inflammation of the vagina)
can occur due to hormonal changes associated with pregnancy or menopause.
Atrophic vaginitis responds well to hormone replacement therapy.
The color, thickness of the vaginal discharge will vary according to the
menstrual cycle and fluctuates according to estrogen levels in the body. The
normal clear or white vaginal discharge may become thicker and more elastic
during ovulation which occurs about two weeks after your menstrual period.
Before ovulation, there is an increase in the amount of vaginal discharge, up to
30 times more than after ovulation. Mid-cycle there is an increase in vaginal
discharge and the discharge is clear in color.
To help control problematic vaginal discharge that might occur during the
menstrual cycle,
it is recommended to keep the genital area clean and dry,
avoid douching, and eat yogurt with live cultures
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