Key takeaways
- Creamy white discharge is one of the most common types of vaginal discharge and is usually nothing to worry about.
- The color and consistency of vaginal discharge changes throughout your menstrual cycle. You might notice sticky white discharge before and after ovulation and thick, pasty, white discharge before your period arrives.
- Thin, watery, white discharge can be a sign of bacterial vaginosis (BV) or a sexually transmitted infection (STI) when accompanied by a foul smell, burning, itching, and pain or discomfort.
- Clumpy white discharge that resembles cottage cheese is a symptom of a yeast infection.
What is creamy white vaginal discharge?
Vaginal discharge is your vagina’s way of keeping itself clean and expelling old cells and bacteria — it’s there to protect you! But what exactly is vaginal discharge? Well, the glands in your cervix and your vagina produce fluids throughout your cycle. This fluid can contain skin cells, bacteria, and mucus.
As your hormones fluctuate throughout your cycle, the consistency of your discharge can change. It might appear stickier or more watery, depending on the phase of your cycle. If your discharge looks a little bit like egg whites, it could be a sign that you’re about to ovulate (release an egg), whereas thick, white, pasty discharge usually shows up just before your period. You can use an app like Flo to learn more about ovulation and your cycle.
Is it normal?
Creamy white discharge is one of the most common types of vaginal discharge. It can be caused by lots of different things (more on that below) and be slightly different in consistency.
Creamy white discharge vs. egg white discharge
Typically, healthy discharge ranges from clear to white and can be thick or slippery. The color and texture of vaginal discharge can vary depending on hormonal changes throughout your menstrual cycle. As estrogen peaks just before ovulation (when you release an egg), your discharge might change from white and creamy to clear and stretchy, like raw egg whites.
What are the types of white discharge?
Your vaginal discharge can give you insight into your vaginal health. So, knowing what’s typical for your own body can help you recognize when something might be off.
White discharge can look different depending on where you are in your cycle and whether you have an infection.
- Milky white discharge: This is normal and healthy. It’s only worrisome if the discharge looks watery and has a strong, foul, or fishy smell; if it does, it could be a sign of an infection like bacterial vaginosis (BV), so speak to your health care provider.
- Clumpy white discharge: This is most commonly a symptom of a yeast infection, especially if it’s accompanied by itching and/or burning. It’s best to get this checked out by your OB-GYN.
- Sticky white discharge: You might notice creamy white vaginal discharge after your period in the days leading up to ovulation (when your ovary releases an egg). This is when estrogen levels rise, and your cervix starts producing more mucus to help sperm fertilize the egg.
- Thick, creamy, white discharge: This type of discharge is most common after ovulation and before your period arrives in the luteal phase of your cycle. Estrogen is lowest at this point, so your discharge might look dry, pasty, or thick.