White Discharge During Pregnancy| Is it a Cause of Concern?

A woman’s body undergoes many transformations throughout the pregnancy period. Some of the physical changes are visible onto the body and some are well known in science. One of the known changes is white discharge or leukorrhea during pregnancy.

Leukorrhea is another medical term for vaginal discharge that is thick, white or yellowish, that women experience instead of their period during pregnancy.

White discharge during pregnancy is common, but if you are someone who is dealing with this issue quite often, then seek medical help. If you want the best maternity hospital in Gurgaon with excellent service then reach out to the CK Birla Hospital in Gurgaon. The hospital is one of the best maternity hospitals in Gurgaon with the best gynaecology department in the town.

What is Vaginal Discharge During Pregnancy?

Every woman deals with vaginal discharge at some point in their life. The most common cause of vaginal discharge is the changes in hormonal levels during the menstrual cycle – the consistency differs from phase to phase.

For example, when a woman is ovulating, the consistency of the discharge is thin and stretchy. When the woman is not ovulating, the discharge consistency is thick and sticky. In most cases, vaginal discharge is nothing to be alarmed about and is considered normal as long as it does not come with irritation, discomfort, itching, and smell.

Is White Vaginal Discharge During Pregnancy Normal?

Thin, white or yellowish vaginal discharge is healthy and normal throughout pregnancy. However, if vaginal discharge looks thick or lumpy, it can be a sign of infection, especially when followed by other symptoms (like foul odour or itching).

Sometimes the pregnant woman may also notice that the vaginal discharge is brown or pink. In early pregnancy, this can be a sign of implantation bleeding. Implantation bleeding is normal and defined as a small amount of light spotting or bleeding that happens around 10 to 14 days after conception. It is due to the attachment of the fertilized egg with the lining of the uterus.

If you are concerned, do not hesitate to consult your doctor.

What are the Reasons for White Discharge During Pregnancy?

Following are some of the common reasons for white discharge during pregnancy;

1. Hormonal Changes

A woman's body goes through many hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle. During the first half of the cycle, estrogen levels rise and peak during ovulation. This causes an increase in the thick white discharge during pregnancy from the cervix. In most cases, white discharge is harmless.

2. Yeast Infection

A yeast infection can be harmful, but it is easy to identify. It is a fungal infection that commonly occurs in the vaginal region, indicating the increase of yeast cells in the vagina that disrupts the pH balance and causes discomfort.

4. Side-Effects of Medicines

Medicines such as birth control pills can also disturb the vaginal area. In addition, the use of ointments and creams, used as contraceptives, can irritate the lining and lead to a white discharge.

5. Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Several STDs like trichomoniasis, gonorrhoea and chlamydia can cause excessive vaginal discharge.

6. Allergic Reaction

It could happen due to products like creams, soap or any fabric allergy.

7. Trichomoniasis

Trichomoniasis is a very common sexually transmitted disease caused by Trichomonas vaginalis parasite, causing foul-smelling vaginal discharge, genital itching, and painful urination.

When to Seek Help for Abnormal Clear Discharge During Pregnancy?

As we discussed above, clear discharge during pregnancy is a healthy bodily function. However, it is important to address any atypical signs of vaginal discharge.
Some common atypical signs which you need to consider are:

1. Yellow, green or grey coloured discharge
2. Strong and foul smell
3. Itching and redness on the vulva
4. Pain in the abdomen
5. Sudden weight loss
6. Fever
7. Fatigue
8. Bleeding
9. Increased urination

How to Get Rid of White Discharge During Pregnancy?

Abnormal white vaginal discharge during pregnancy should be recognized and treated as soon as possible because some vaginal infections are associated with a higher risk of miscarriage or premature delivery.

Treating the discharge depends on what’s causing the problem. For example, yeast infections treated with antifungal medications inserted into the vagina in cream or gel form. Whereas bacterial vaginosis (or vaginal bacteriosis) treated with creams or antibiotic pills. Trichomoniasis is treated with the drugs tinidazole (Tindamax) or metronidazole (Flagyl).

Following are some tips to maintain vaginal health during pregnancy to avoid vaginal infections that can lead to abnormal discharge:

1. Avoid using tampons
2. Use unscented personal care products like unscented toilet paper, creams, and soaps.
3. Use panty liners to absorb the excess white discharge.
4. Wipe the genital region after passing urine or stool.
5. Dry the genitals with the help of soft fabric thoroughly after showering.
6. Use underwear made from a breathable fabric.
7. Avoid wearing tight clothes like jeans and nylon pantyhose, which may increase the risk of vaginal infection.
8. Follow a healthy diet and avoid excessive use of sugar, which can lead to yeast infections.
9. Use supplements and probiotic foods that are safe to consume during pregnancy specially meant to prevent bacterial imbalances in the vaginal area.

Final words

Well, it is perfectly normal to have white discharge during pregnancy or leukorrhea during pregnancy. But if the white discharge causes you discomfort or foul-smelling, seek medical treatment. The CK Birla Hospital, one of the best maternity hospitals in Gurgaon, provides excellent quality treatment to its patients.