Having a discharge from your vagina is normal since it is the body’s way of cleaning itself. However, a discharge will be termed normal or abnormal depending on its amount, smell and any other signs that accompany it.
The thick white discharge will be the primary focus of this article.
Is a thick white discharge normal?
A thick white discharge is mostly normal unless it has other symptoms accompanying it.
You should also be aware of the fact that the thick white discharge should only appear for a while then go back to the normal discharge which is from clear to slightly white in color and has no smell whatsoever.
The color and consistency of your discharge depends on various factors such as;
- Your age
- Health problems
- Whether you are pregnant or not
- Itching or pain
- Any medication you may be taking
These conditions can cause a change in the color of your discharge to white, brown, yellow, green, pink, clear and so on.
Causes
A white discharge can occur due to various health conditions, the stage of your menstrual cycle and other aspects. Among the main causes of this type of discharge include;
1. Pregnancy
During pregnancy, there is an immense increase in the level of discharge from the vagina. The normal discharge is referred to as leucorrhea and it has a mild smell with the color being milky white.
2. Bacterial vaginosis
Bacterial vaginosis is an infection caused by the overgrowth of bacteria in the vagina. It is common for pregnant women since there is a lot of vaginal discharge during a pregnancy.
Although easy to treat, bacterial vaginosis can lead to a lot of problems if left untreated for long. Some of the conditions that might lead to bacterial vaginosis include;
- Unprotected sex
- Using antibiotics for too long
- Douching
- Having many sexual partners
- Using vaginal medicine for too long.
With bacterial vaginosis, the discharge ranges from thin to thick and the color from dull gray to white. The smell of the discharge from bacterial vaginosis is a fishy odor.
3. Vulvovaginitis
Vulvovaginitis is the inflammation of the vulva which is the outer part of the vagina. It can be caused by many issues including;
- Factors in the environment
- Sexually transmitted diseases
- Parasites such as pinworms and lice
- Bacteria
- Irritants
- Allergens
- Yeast
- Viruses
Among the symptoms of Vulvovaginitis are;
- Thick white discharge with a foul smell
- Pain when passing urine
- Inflamed lips of the vagina
- Irritation in the genitals
- Increased amount of discharge
- Itching in the genital area
Vulvovaginitis and vaginitis are caused by the same aspects although Vulvovaginitis is when the inflammation reaches the vulva.
4. Atrophic vaginitis
Due to the reduction in the estrogen hormone levels after menopause, the walls of the vagina will reduce significantly. This is called vaginal atrophy and a major predisposing factor for vaginal infections.
The reduction in the levels of estrogen can be caused by other aspects besides menopause including;
- Chemotherapy
- Treatment of breast cancer through hormonal therapy
- The removal of ovaries in what is called surgical menopause
- Pelvic radiation therapy
- Breastfeeding
Even without an infection, vaginal atrophy will cause the following symptoms;
- A thick white discharge
- Burning feeling in the vagina especially when passing urine and having sex
- Dryness in the vagina.
- Thinner vaginal walls
- Light spotting after sex
- Urinary incontinence
- Pain during sexual intercourse
- A shorter vaginal canal
- Increased cases of urinary tract infections
5. Sexually transmitted diseases
Most of the changes in the vagina discharge are due to infections by sexually transmitted diseases. Some of the most likely culprits are gonorrhea, Chlamydia, and trichomoniasis.
If it is from trichomoniasis, you will see yellow or green discharge but, owing to it being so thin, it will often appear white in color. Chlamydia and gonorrhea have either clear, green or cloudy discharges.
Many other sexually transmitted diseases will increase and change the color of the vaginal discharge. The most common symptoms of STDs include;
- Painful urination and sexual intercourse.
- Random bleeding between periods.
- Abdominal pain.
- Painful bowel movements.
- Anal itching.
- Vaginal odor.
- Vaginal itching.
- A sore throat.
- Headaches
- Vaginal rash.
- Swollen lymph nodes.
- Some such as HIV/AIDS cause loss of weight.
6. Yeast infections
One of the most likely causes of a thick white discharge is a yeast infection. The specific and distinguishing name from other types of white discharges from the yeast infection is cottage cheese white discharge.
This means that the discharge from a yeast infection will have the consistency of cottage cheese.
Yeast infections are quite common given that every woman is likely to have an infection from yeast at least once in this lifetime. The aspects that will increase your chances of having a yeast infection include;
- Taking antibiotics for long
- Diabetes
- Being pregnant
- Sexual intercourse
- Stress
- Birth control pills
You will know it is a yeast infection when you see the following symptoms besides the cottage cheese white discharge;
- The discharge has no smell (odor).
- A watery vaginal discharge.
- A vaginal rash.
- Soreness and pain in the vagina.
- Swollen and red vagina.
- Burning sensation during urination and sexual intercourse.
- An itch on the external parts of the vagina.
7. A period’s end or beginning
At the end or start of a period, you are likely to see an increase in the thickness and amount of discharge. The color will be white and it will easily go away after a few days without any issues to the body.
8. Sex
After sex, you may see some discharge that ranges in color from clear to white. Some of the reasons for the white discharge after sex include;
- Semen; when you have unprotected sex, the semen will remain inside your vagina for a while then comes out as a white discharge. You can easily confuse semen to your own discharge given its white color.
- Female ejaculate; especially when you have an orgasm, you will release a white to clear discharge from the vagina. It can also occur when you have no orgasm.
- Lubrication; when aroused, you are bound to release vaginal lubrication which can be clear in color or white. This is what describes being wet.
This discharge can be released by the body for a while even when the sex is over. It can also dry up to form some white clamps in the vaginal opening.
What does it mean?
Each case of a thick white discharge has its own meaning. While some are normal cases that require no medical attention, others are signs of serious problems which should be dealt with as soon as possible. The meanings include;
1. Thick white clumpy discharge like wet toilet paper
Having a chunky white discharge with the consistency of wet toilet paper or cottage cheese is a sign of a yeast infection. Yeast infections are a common occurrence as they affect about 75 percent of women.
The presence of yeast in the vagina in healthy amounts makes it easy to have a yeast infection. The yeast has to remain in balance with the healthy lactobacillus bacteria.
When an upset in the conditions of the vagina favors the growth of the yeast, you will have the symptoms. You could have a yeast infection in the following conditions;
- Having stress
- Feeding on a poor diet
- Being pregnant
- Using antibiotics
- Having a weak immune system
- Cases of hormonal imbalances
- Having inadequate sleep
2. Thick white discharge with odor
A thick white discharge with a bad smell is a sign of an infection such as trichomoniasis, gonorrhea or Chlamydia. Most of these infections have their characteristic symptoms although the common aspect among them is a thick white discharge that has a strong odor.
The one thing you should always know is that each time you see either a weird color or bad odor from your vagina, you should seek medical attention.
3. Creamy white vaginal discharge
A creamy white vaginal discharge with the consistency of lotion is a sign of a yeast infection. As stated earlier on, yeast infections are quite common and can be due to many different factors.
4. Thick white mucus no odor
A thick white mucus that has no odor can be due to many different things including the following;
- Sex
- Yeast infections
- The end or beginning of a period
- Pregnancy
- Normal vaginal discharge
A point to note is that most people think a yeast infection discharge has an odor when it does not. Also, the discharge from a pregnancy (leucorrhea) has a slight smell to it.
5. Thick white itchy discharge
A thick white itchy discharge is definitely a sign of an infection. It can be any of the mentioned infections among them yeast, trichomoniasis, Chlamydia, and gonorrhea.
Any discharge that causes discomfort such as an itch requires to be checked immediately. The degree of urgency increases with a pregnancy.
Thick whitish discharge before and after period
Seeing a whitish discharge just before and after a period is normal. It is a result of hormonal changes occurring with the menstrual cycle. Just like during pregnancy, this discharge does not mean anything is wrong with you. A few days later, it will go back to the normal amount and type of discharge.
As the period comes close, the levels of the hormones in the body will go up leading to the production of a higher amount of vaginal discharge.
If you get pregnant, the level will keep rising up to a given point. If not, it will start going down after the period leading to the thick white discharge again.
Thick white vaginal discharge after ovulation
Ovulation is the process by which the follicles in your ovaries release a mature egg in preparation for fertilization. This is one of the main processes of the menstrual cycle.
Ovulation, being under the control of hormones will see to an increase in the amount of discharge from the vagina. The normal vaginal discharge during ovulation is clear and stretchy.
However, it may occasionally turn thick and white due to several reasons.
If it remains thick and white in color for long, it will be due to an underlying issue such as infections from yeast, bacteria and other microorganisms.
Thick white discharge during pregnancy
Prepare yourself to observe a lot of changes during your pregnancy especially as far as your vaginal discharge is concerned. There will be an obvious increase in the amount and thickness of the vaginal discharge during this period.
1. Early pregnancy
The early pregnancy period is the few days after fertilization of the egg. When you see a thick white discharge after implantation which is a week before your next period, chances are high that you may be pregnant.
This thick white discharge will be a result of the changes in the hormones of the body.
2. First trimester
The first trimester is the first three months of your pregnancy. The first trimester will see an increase in the amount of leucorrhea which is a white vaginal discharge with a mild smell or it can be odorless.
Leucorrhea is a normal discharge which is made up of dead cells and other bodily fluids.
3. Second trimester
The same leucorrhea will be prominent in the second trimester. Although it increases significantly in the first trimester, the second trimester will see it leveling off.
You should wear a disposable underwear, panty liners or maxi pad and keep off tampons and douching. Douching and tampons only increase your chances of getting an infection.
4. Third trimester
The amount of thick white discharge and mucus secretion, in general, is determined by the levels of estrogen hormone. During pregnancy, it is relatively higher than usual.
In the third trimester especially weeks 36 to 40 of your pregnancy, the thick white mucus you will see will likely be the mucus plug being washed away to pave way for the birth of your baby.
The mucus plug keeps the baby and the womb secure from infectious diseases from outside the body. When it is time for the baby to be born, it will be washed out.
What to do at home
Depending on the causes of the thick white discharge, the treatment will entail a mix of various remedies most of which can be found with ease.
For the normal cases of the discharge, you do not need to do anything about them other than having a pad soak it up. This is the case for leucorrhea and when the discharge occurs after a period.
For the infections such a yeast, trichomoniasis and bacterial vaginosis, use the following;
1. Yogurt
In the vagina, there is a mix of yeast and lactobacillus bacteria. To boost the good bacteria, you can use yogurt as it has Lactobacillus acidophilus bacteria. Make sure you use yogurt that is unsweetened and plain.
- Apply the yogurt to the vagina and let it stay for about half an hour then wash it off.
- You can also dip a tampon into the yogurt and insert it into the vagina for about 2 hours.
- Eat plain yogurt on a daily basis.
2. Boric acid
Although a good antiseptic and antifungal agent, boric acid is not recommended for you are pregnant as it has side effects.
- Mix a small amount of boric acid in a glass of water.
- Apply to the area then leave it for about 20 minutes before rinsing it off with clean water.
- Do this daily for two weeks in a row.
3. Garlic
Owing to its antibiotic, antifungal and antibacterial properties, garlic can be used to treat most illnesses that cause an excessive production of mucus such as yeast and bacterial vaginosis.
- Eat a few fresh garlic cloves daily or take garlic tablets as stated by your doctor.
- You can also crush a few cloves to make a paste that you can apply in the affected area.
4. Coconut oil
Coconut oil has antifungal properties which will play a major role in killing the bacteria and fungi which cause the specific symptoms you may be experiencing with the thick white discharge. To use coconut oil effectively, follow these steps;
- Apply the coconut oil on the vagina at least three times a day.
- If the infection has caused oral thrush, gaggle the coconut oil three times a day without swallowing it.
- Mixing coconut oil and cinnamon oil then applying the mixture to the affected area is also effective.
When to see a doctor
You should see a doctor in the following cases;
- When the discharge has a foul smell
- When you have an itch
- When you have a fever
- When the discharge is too much
- When the discharge has blood in it
References:
Home Remedies for Yeast Infection – Top10HomeRemedies
Vaginal Discharge During Pregnancy – American Pregnancy
Losing Your Mucus Plug During Pregnancy – Health line