The woman’s reproductive system constantly produces a small amount of secretion to lubricate the mucous membranes. Abundant, transparent, odorless discharge may appear in some periods of life, being one of the normal options. We are talking about secretions that do not cause a woman discomfort and are not accompanied by irregularities in the menstrual cycle. But any change in volume, color, smell can indicate the development of a serious disease in the female body. Although in some cases even a sudden change in the nature of the discharge is not a pathology. In order to understand when it is really worth it to sound the alarm, and when you can treat the changes calmly, you need to know the signs of the disease and the normal options.
Normal discharge
Vaginal secretion plays a significant role in the female body. It is he who lubricates the vagina, protecting his membrane from injuries during intimacy. In addition, leucorrhoea supports the normal microflora in the reproductive system and the level of acidity, which is necessary to prevent the entry of pathogenic bacteria into the uterus.
The discharge consists of mucus produced by the uterine glands and the vestibule of the vagina, and fluid entering the reproductive organs from the lymphatic and blood vessels. The normal secret in its texture resembles a snot. Its transparency and density depend on the content of mucins and proteins in it.
Under normal conditions of excretion:
- transparent, with a slightly pronounced white or cream shade;
- they do not have an unpleasant odor, a weakly expressed sour smell can be explained by the activity of lactobacilli that live in the vagina;
- do not foam, do not contain lumps, impurities and streaks of blood.
In addition, leucorrhoea should not be abundant, provoking irritation of the perineum and mucous membrane, burning and itching in the vagina.
When not to worry
In women of childbearing age, plentiful, transparent, odorless and itchy discharge is usually a variant of the norm. In this case, the density of mucus can vary significantly with the course of the menstrual cycle. This feature is explained by constant fluctuations in the levels of female sex hormones - progesterone and estrogen.
Immediately after menstruation, the density of the discharge should be maximum. Indeed, at this time, a mucous plug forms in the cervix, which prevents sperm from entering the uterus. This allows the reproductive system to fully recover from blood loss during menstruation. At this time, abundant, transparent, odorless and itchy discharge is absolutely normal.
Then, in the first phase of the cycle, the secretions gradually become more liquid, by the time of ovulation, viscosity appears. It is during this period that the greatest likelihood of a meeting of a mature egg with spermatozoa for conception arises. Then the secret becomes thick again.
Sometimes abundant, transparent, odorless discharge may appear, regardless of the phase of the cycle, for example, due to an allergic reaction to any medications or products. In addition, sensitive reproductive organs can respond by the appearance of such leucorrhoea to a sharp change in climate or environment.
Features of the discharge
It is noteworthy that sometimes in normal secretions there are small impurities of the blood, which pretty quickly disappear. They can occur at the time of ovulation and the introduction of a fertilized egg into the walls of the uterus. Doctors call this phenomenon implantation bleeding.
In addition, bloody discharge may be a normal option in the first months after starting to use oral contraceptives or installing a contraceptive spiral.
Pregnant, odorless, clear discharge during pregnancy
In the early stages, the activity of the reproductive system and the process of bearing the fetus controls progesterone. At this time, copious, odorless, clear discharge is characteristic of the moment of conception, and they are the first sign of pregnancy. In some cases, the secretion becomes slightly yellowish, greenish, or white. This is acceptable if a woman does not have itching, burning, unpleasant odor and pain in the lower abdomen.
In the second trimester, estrogen is included in the work of the genitals, which gives the whites a watery texture and increases their number. During this period, abundant, transparent, odorless discharge is also absolutely normal.
Signs of pathology during pregnancy
If leucorrhoea has acquired an unusual, unpleasant odor, impurities of pus or blood, dizziness, abdominal pain and weakness are felt, then a doctor should be urgently called. After all, these signs may indicate an ectopic pregnancy or spontaneous abortion.
In the first days after the IVF procedure, abundant, transparent, odorless secretions are noted, sometimes even with a sacrum. So the uterus reacts to replanting a foreign body.
Hormones
The periodic occurrence of abundant, transparent, odorless and mucous discharge of mucus is characteristic of girls for several years after the onset of their first menstruation. About a year before menstruation, transparent or white discharge appears, which is associated with hormonal changes in the body and puberty. All this time, the hormonal background of the girl is changing, and this, of course, is reflected in the nature of the vaginal secretion.
Features of the female cycle
Well, the main reason for fluctuations in volume and type of discharge is the menstrual cycle. After menstruation, abundant, transparent, odorless discharge indicates the approach of ovulation. The larger the volume of leucorrhoea, the closer the exit of the egg from the follicle.
Discharges become more abundant due to spikes in lutein and estrogen levels. It is these hormones that accompany the rupture of the follicle, from which the mature egg comes out. In other words, abundant, transparent, odorless discharge after menstruation is an absolute norm, and you should not consult a doctor for a diagnosis in this case.
Sex
After and at the moment of intimacy, the woman’s discharge increases due to increased blood circulation and stimulation of the glands. After sexual contact, the production of yellow or white mucus is noted. Thus, a female secret with penetrated male sperm is derived from the reproductive organs. This is a normal process if it is not accompanied by burning, pain, itching, unpleasant odor and other alarming symptoms.
Childbirth
After the birth of a baby, the secret gradually turns from bloody mucus, reminiscent of menstruation, into a viscous, very plentiful, odorless, transparent discharge.
If a woman is breastfeeding, then she may have transparent whitewash with a subtle yellowish tint. After normalizing the menstrual cycle, the discharge acquires the previous character.
Climax
During menopause, hormonal changes occur in a woman’s body. This is due to a halt in the normal functioning of the ovaries. The discharge becomes scarce, there is excessive vaginal dryness, abnormal thinning of the mucous membrane, which often becomes the cause of the development of infectious and inflammatory processes in the reproductive system.
During this period, a woman may experience pathological discharge with an unusual odor and texture. The symptom disappears after the treatment.
Dangerous at this time are copious odorless discharge with streaks of blood. Indeed, at such an age, such leucorrhoea often turns out to be a symptom of oncological pathologies.
Other causes of discharge
All of the described odorless white whites are normal. All of them, one way or another, are associated with natural physiological processes in the female body. But there are many other reasons for the appearance of plentiful, transparent, odorless discharge. A sign of what could be such a secret?
- Allergy to hygiene products. If the genitals are too sensitive, they can respond to aggressive effects by the appearance of copious, odorless discharge. Such a symptom may appear due to wearing synthetic underwear, the use of low-quality contraceptives, lubricants, or intimate hygiene products.
- Lack of necessary hygiene. This is a very important factor. Some girls neglect intimate hygiene, which is especially significant during menstruation. After all, blood is a favorable environment for the appearance of all kinds of diseases.
- Stress. Long-term emotional overstrain can lead to changes in the microflora of the vagina, which, in turn, causes the appearance of an abundant viscous, odorless secretion.
- The presence of a foreign object in the vagina. We are talking about particles of a tampon, napkin or even napkins.
- Oncological pathologies of reproductive organs.
- Inflammatory processes in the ovaries, fallopian tubes and the uterus itself.
What signs indicate a disease
Very abundant transparent discharge can also be a symptom of a pathology developing in the female body. Depending on the disease itself, the secret additionally acquires certain properties and is accompanied by other abnormal manifestations.
The causes of gynecological diseases can be various factors: the multiplication of opportunistic microorganisms, inflammatory processes, complications of diseases, infections, promiscuous sex life, poor heredity.
- White-transparent, plentiful, odorless discharge with curdled impurities. The appearance of a subtle or, on the contrary, pronounced sour smell is not excluded. Usually, such symptoms indicate thrush. Often, the disease is accompanied by burning, itching and discomfort. But thrush may well be limited only by pathological discharge, without any additional signs.
- Abundant transparent discharge with the smell of rotten fish. Such symptoms may indicate vaginitis or bacterial infections of the vagina. In this case, the discharge itself becomes extremely viscous and viscous.
- Abundant clear leucorrhoea with streaks of blood. This symptom is characteristic of cervical erosion, as well as inflammatory processes in the reproductive system, for example, oophoritis, adnexitis, salpingitis. If there is quite a lot of blood in the secretions, even cancer pathology can be suspected.
- Abundant clear leucorrhoea may be the result of inflammation of the kidneys or bladder. This also includes the development of cystitis, ureaplasmosis and nephritis. In addition to copious discharge, a woman may be bothered by burning of the genitals, fever, pain at the time of the emptying of the bladder.
- Abundant watery leucorrhoea can indicate disorders in the microflora of the vagina or penetration into the reproductive organs of pathogenic bacteria. Burning, itching, and discomfort may accompany this condition. But the presence of additional symptoms is not a prerequisite for making such a diagnosis.
- Excessive discharge with brown impurities indicates minor bleeding in the woman's reproductive system.
If you notice any abnormality, you should visit a gynecologist. If you are worried about unpleasant abundant mucous secretions, then the pathology has already developed and can greatly harm the body. So it’s definitely not worth delaying a visit to the doctor.
Diagnostics
Modern medicine allows you to easily determine the presence of any disease. Abundant transparent discharge can be taken for analysis, which will help identify the cause of their appearance. There are several gynecological studies that can accurately determine the diagnosis.
- A smear on the flora. Allows you to detect the types of microorganisms that live in the microflora of the vagina. The study makes it possible to identify a pathology, a sign of which is too plentiful, transparent, odorless discharge.
- Smear for cytology. Allows you to determine the presence of pathological cells in the vagina and on the cervix. A timely study makes it possible to identify oncological neoplasms in the early stages.
- PCR smear. High-precision informative study, which allows to determine the presence of a specific disease, which provoked the appearance of abundant transparent discharge.
- Blood test for the presence of various infections. This study helps confirm or disprove the presence of sexually transmitted pathologies. Almost all diseases can be determined using a blood test.
Additionally, an ultrasound and uterine endoscopy can be prescribed for a woman.