Have you been noticing thick white vaginal discharge in your underwear or when you wipe? Spoiler alert: That’s totally normal. Here, we look at what causes white discharge, the different types of discharge, and when your discharge might indicate a problem.
Key takeaways
- Thick white discharge is usually normal and healthy. It’s a sign that your vagina is keeping itself clean.
- Discharge can change during your menstrual cycle in response to hormonal fluctuations. It can be thick and sticky or clear and stretchy (a sign that you’re ovulating).
- Thick white discharge is only worrying if it is clumpy like cottage cheese or accompanied by symptoms such as a strong or foul smell, itching, burning, or pain during sex. These symptoms could be a sign of an infection and should be checked out by your doctor.
Is thick white vaginal discharge normal?
First things first: what exactly is vaginal discharge? Well, vaginal discharge is a mix of fluid and cells that leave your vagina throughout the day. This might sound a little gross, but that discharge plays an important role in keeping your vagina clean by protecting it against infections or irritations.
And is it normal for this discharge to be thick and white? The answer is yes. Healthy vaginal discharge will be white or clear in color, and its texture will change throughout your menstrual cycle. It’s also important to note that healthy discharge shouldn’t have a noticeable odor, so if you notice a foul smell, it’s best to get checked out by your doctor.
Types of normal white vaginal discharge
Creamy white discharge
Odorless, creamy white discharge is totally normal and healthy. You’ll usually notice this type of discharge in the first half of your cycle, around seven to nine days after your period ends.
Raw egg white discharge
Clear, stretchy, and slippery white-ish discharge that looks like raw egg whites is also normal. This change in discharge occurs due to your hormones, and it’s all for a clever reason. You’ll notice this type of discharge just before you ovulate, which is when one of your ovaries releases an egg. The change in discharge will help sperm to travel up the uterus, find your newly released egg, and potentially fertilize it, resulting in a pregnancy. So if you’re trying to conceive, spotting this kind of discharge can be a good sign that now is the time to have sex.
Milky white discharge
Milky white discharge is another healthy type of discharge to experience. However, it’s worth noting that some infections can cause white discharge accompanied by a strong or foul smell and itching or discomfort, which could be a sign of an infection — especially if you’ve recently had unprotected sex.
Sticky white discharge
White discharge that is sticky or tacky like paste is also normal and healthy. You might notice this type of discharge in the days after your period as estrogen begins to build up in preparation for ovulation.