The vaginal discharge They are the secretions that a woman’s vagina produces naturally and its main functions are both to clean the inside of it and to keep it lubricated. Because this flow originates during different stages and situations (ovulation, menstruation, pregnancy, sexual arousal, etc.) its appearance can be seen altered.
For example, when this fluid turns white or even pale yellow but there are no warning signs that we should be concerned about, it simply means that after its expulsion it has been exposed to the air, which has altered its color.
However, what happens when a woman has a white vaginal fluid and, in turn, a delayed menstrual cycle? In this case, the change in color of the secretions could be a symptom of some alteration in the body. Therefore, in the following oneHOWTO article we explain the possible causes of a menstrual delay and white discharge at the same time. Keep reading!
Menstrual delay and white discharge: Am I pregnant?
One of the possible causes of having both a menstrual delay and white discharge is pregnancy, especially if the amount of these secretions has also increased. In fact, both one symptom and another are within the first signs which usually has a pregnant woman.
When a woman’s egg is fertilized by sperm, her body usually increases the production of female hormones such as estrogens, which can cause our body to release a greater amount of vaginal discharge. This increase in fluids has a logical explanation: our body secretes more fluid to protect both our uterus and the fetus from possible bacteria that could cause an infection. Generally, this symptom is more common during the first 3 months of pregnancy, progressively decreasing throughout pregnancy.
In addition to white discharge and menstrual delay, the following symptoms are also common in the first weeks of pregnancy:
- Tender breasts
- Nausea and vomiting
- Increased urge to urinate
- Humor changes
- Tiredness
- Changes in smell
- Mild bleeding of a brownish hue
- Lower belly pain
- Basal temperature rise
If you want to know more about vaginal discharge during this stage, we recommend this article about How is vaginal discharge during pregnancy.
Menstrual delay and white discharge due to hormonal changes
Another cause of menstrual delay and white discharge can be a hormonal change. Not all women have a regular menstrual cycle, that is, one that lasts approximately 28 days. In fact, it may happen that at a certain moment, the cycle may become irregular and present symptoms such as white discharge accompanied by a delay in the period. without it having to be due to pregnancy.
There are certain situations that can increase the production of estrogens and, therefore, change the volume and color of our fluids. Next, we explain what situations cause hormonal changes in women so that these types of symptoms occur:
- Stress: some situations such as a change at work, exam times or a romantic break (among other stressful moments) can cause an alteration in both our hormonal production and in the rule.
- Drastic weight change: losing or gaining pounds very suddenly can also cause our hormones to be altered.
- Contraceptive pill: it is totally normal that when we start taking some hormonal treatment, at first some imbalances occur both in the rule and in the color of vaginal fluids.
Why do I have white discharge and my period does not drop ?: possible infections
In addition to the above cases, another possible cause that is causing you to have menstrual delay accompanied by white fluids is a vaginal infection. Among the infections that cause these two symptoms together we find:
- Bacterial vaginosis: it is an infection that occurs when the bacteria that live in the vagina grow excessively. This condition is quite common in women between 15 and 44 years old and, among its symptoms, we found that the white discharge could also change to other tones such as gray or yellow. Other signs that you have this infection are vaginal odor, pain, and burning.
- Yeast infection: also known as candidiasis, it is a vaginal condition that occurs when its flora changes due to causes such as stress or the consumption of antibiotics. Due to this alteration in the pH of the vagina, the white fluid is also characterized by being much more abundant and thick. It also produces other symptoms such as burning, itching and vaginal pain. If you suspect that they may have this type of infection, we recommend this article about How to know if I have yeast infection.
- Gonorrhea: is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) that is caused by the entry of a pathogen into the genital mucosa. This condition can cause the white discharge, but it could also be a more yellowish hue. It can also cause vaginal odor, bleeding, and burning.
This article is merely informative, at oneHOWTO we do not have the power to prescribe any medical treatment or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.
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