Watery discharge: What does it mean, and why does it happen?

Key takeaways 

• In most cases, watery discharge is totally normal and healthy.
• The look and feel of your vaginal discharge may change thanks to hormonal fluctuations during your cycle, pregnancy, menopause, or taking hormonal contraception.
• If watery discharge is accompanied by other symptoms like itchiness or a foul smell, it may be a sign of an infection.

Main causes of watery discharge 

Have you ever gone to the bathroom and noticed a watery discharge on your underwear? Or maybe you were going about your day and suddenly felt wetness in your vagina? Don’t worry, this is totally normal and something most of us will experience. When it’s not accompanied by a foul smell or itchiness, watery discharge is nothing to be concerned about. In fact, it’s a reassuring sign that your vagina is self-cleaning and healthy. 

You might be curious about how you can tell anything about your vaginal health from discharge. Well it turns out that the vagina is a pretty amazing organ. Glands inside your vagina and cervix create fluid to flush out dead cells and bacteria. Healthy, normal discharge provides lubrication and protects your vagina and urinary tract from infections. 

Watery vaginal discharge can happen for many reasons, including hormonal fluctuations that happen during ovulation and pregnancy or because you’re sexually aroused. So here’s the lowdown on watery discharge. 

Ovulation 

You might notice watery discharge in the lead-up to ovulation. So don’t worry if you feel wetter than usual around that time. Ovulation typically happens at the midpoint in your cycle. You can figure out when you might ovulate using an ovulation calculator. 

You might have heard of ovulation but not be quite sure what it is. It’s when one of your ovaries releases an egg. This egg is viable for 12 to 24 hours, and if a sperm fertilizes it in that period, then it may move down the uterine tubes and implant into the wall of your uterus. This marks the beginning of pregnancy. 

You might have noticed that the texture of your discharge is slightly different just before ovulation. It may appear wet, clear, and slippery — a consistency that helps the sperm on its journey to meeting the egg. 

Sexual arousal

Clear watery discharge can be a physical response to being turned on — what people commonly refer to as “being wet.” When you’re sexually aroused (or turned on), blood rushes to the vagina and pushes fluid through the walls of your vagina. This is your body’s way of self-lubricating in preparation for sex. That being said, keep in mind that not everyone gets wet when they’re aroused, and using lube can help make sex more comfortable and pleasurable.  

Exercise

While exercise doesn’t directly cause an increase in vaginal discharge, it can feel that way thanks to high-impact movements such as running or jumping that may help discharge come out. Additionally, sweating during exercise can also contribute to feeling wetter. 

Pregnancy

During pregnancy, your body experiences a lot of hormonal changes that can affect your discharge in many ways. You may notice a change in your discharge as early as two weeks after conception, including experiencing more discharge. Normal discharge, or leukorrhea, is thin, clear, and might have a mild smell.

Menopause

After menopause, some people may notice that their vaginal area feels a bit dry. It’s still possible to have some discharge during this time, but it might be thinner and more watery than usual. Menopause can also increase the chances of getting vaginal infections, which can cause discharge that’s different from what you’re used to. If you’re at all worried, book a checkup with your health care provider.

What could cause a change in vaginal discharge?

Clear, watery vaginal discharge is typically a sign that your vagina is healthy, but any sudden changes in color or smell could mean that something’s up. Here are the most common causes of discharge changes. If you have any of the symptoms, then speak to your health care provider for advice and, if necessary, treatment. 

Infection

If you have excessive watery discharge that is accompanied by itching, pain, and an unpleasant smell, you may have an infection. Some common infections that cause watery discharge include the following. 

Bacterial vaginosis

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a condition caused by an imbalance in bacteria normally found in your vagina. The main symptom of BV is grayish, excessive watery discharge that has a foul or fishy odor. The most common way to treat BV is with antibiotics. 

Yeast infection

In most cases, yeast infections are caused by an overgrowth of the fungus Candida albicans. Candida is a normal part of the vaginal flora, but when it overgrows or penetrates the deeper layers of your vaginal cells, it causes an infection. The main symptoms of a yeast infection are: 

• Itchiness and irritation of the vagina and vulva
• Pain or a burning sensation when you pee or have sex
• A thick, white, and odor-free discharge that looks like cottage cheese 
• Less commonly, white, watery discharge  

STIs

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) like gonorrhea, chlamydia, and trichomoniasis (sometimes called “trich”) can all cause changes to your discharge, including discharge that is clear, white, gray, or green and that has a foul smell. Other symptoms of STIs can include: 

• Itchiness and irritation of the vagina and vulva
• A rash, blisters, or sores around your vulva or anus
• Pain or a burning sensation when you pee or have sex
• Bleeding after sex or between periods

Hormonal imbalance

Since hormones play a big part in the consistency and amount of your vaginal discharge, any hormonal imbalance caused by a health condition or lifestyle factors like stress could potentially cause your discharge to look more watery. Tracking your discharge with an app like Flo can be a helpful way to spot when something might be wrong. 

Hormonal birth control

If you’re using hormonal contraception such as the combined pill or hormonal intrauterine device, you might notice an increase in vaginal discharge during the first few months. Don’t worry, this is completely normal and will likely only be a temporary side effect. 

Why the timing of watery vaginal discharge matters

It’s common for vaginal discharge to change in appearance and texture throughout your menstrual cycle. Keeping track of these changes can help you figure out which phase you’re currently in. Here’s what it can signal:

Watery discharge before your period

If you notice some watery discharge before your period, it could mean that you’re ovulating (preparing to release an egg from an ovary). This discharge typically looks clear and stretchy, quite similar to an egg white. As your period gets closer, the discharge may become cloudy and white. It’s entirely normal and nothing to worry about.

Watery discharge after your period

After your period, you may notice a slightly brownish color in your vaginal discharge. This is just your body expelling any remaining old blood from your vagina. It might look disconcerting, but it’s not a cause for concern. After a few days, this should stop.

Tips on how to manage watery discharge

Experiencing some watery vaginal discharge is actually a good sign. So, there’s no need to worry or try to stop it. However, if you’re dealing with a lot of discharge, it might help to use panty liners, pads, or period underwear to keep you comfortable throughout the day. That way, you won’t have to worry about any dampness or discomfort.

Although you don’t have to worry about watery discharge, here are a few useful tips to keep your vagina — and your discharge — as healthy as possible:

• Wear breathable clothing and underwear.
• Wipe your vagina from front to back.
• Practice safer sex to reduce your risk of infections and get regular STI check ups.
• Avoid using douches or washes, which can disrupt your natural pH.

When to speak to your doctor 

You should speak to your health care provider if your discharge is accompanied by any unpleasant symptoms, including:  

• Itching, burning, or pain
• Redness, soreness, or swelling of the vagina or vulva
• Pelvic pain
• A gray or green color 
• A foul or fishy odor
• Bleeding after sex or between periods