Sexual Health Reproductive Health Issues Vaginal Health Watery Vaginal Discharge: Is It Normal and What Causes It? What Watery Discharge Can Mean By Elizabeth Pratt Elizabeth Pratt Elizabeth Pratt is a medical journalist based in Australia. She has a Master's degree in Health Communication and a Bachelor's degree in journalism. Learn about our editorial process Updated on August 28, 2022 Medically reviewed by Anita Sadaty, MD Medically reviewed by Anita Sadaty, MD Facebook LinkedIn Twitter Anita Sadaty, MD, is a board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist at North Shore University Hospital and founder of Redefining Health Medical. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Causes Frequency Management When to See a Healthcare Provider Frequently Asked Questions Watery vaginal discharge is normal and can be a sign of a healthy vagina. The vagina produces discharge to clean itself and also produces more discharge around the time of ovulation. However, if the color or viscosity (thickness) of discharge changes, or clear, watery discharge is accompanied by other symptoms like itching or soreness in the vagina, it may be an indication of a problem. Learn more about the causes of watery discharge, and when you should see a healthcare provider. The word “woman” is used in this article to refer to people who identify as women and have typical reproductive organs of a cisgender female. We recognize that some people who identify as women do not have the same anatomy as that depicted in this article. YakobchukOlena/iStock/ Getty Images Plus Causes of Watery Vaginal Discharge Watery vaginal discharge is typically normal and can be due to natural hormonal fluctuations that occur during reproductive processes in a woman's body, like ovulation and pregnancy, or during sexual arousal or menopause. Clear Discharge From the Vagina: What Does It Mean? Watery Discharge and Ovulation Ovulation typically occurs halfway through the menstrual cycle, roughly 14 days before the first day of the next period. In the lead up to ovulation, discharge may look similar to egg whites and be: ClearSlipperyStretchy During the lead-up to ovulation, the body makes up to 30 times more mucus than it will following ovulation. This discharge is more elastic and watery than at other times during the menstrual cycle. Some women may choose to wear panty liners during this time. Watery Discharge and Pregnancy When a woman is pregnant, the cervix and vaginal walls soften. To protect the womb, the body increases its production of vaginal discharge to help stop infections from traveling through the vagina to the uterus. Because of this, some women may find they have more clear to white discharge during pregnancy, and this is normal. In the final week of pregnancy, the discharge may change from clear to white to discharge that contains thick streaks of mucus or some blood. This is normal and happens because the mucus that has been in the cervix during pregnancy leaves the body as it prepares for birth. Watery Discharge and Sexual Arousal During periods of sexual arousal, glands in the vagina produce a clear, watery fluid to lubricate the vagina and prepare it for potential sexual intercourse. This discharge is normal and usually goes away within an hour. The discharge is typically: ClearWetMoistSlippery Watery Discharge and Menopause As estrogen levels decline during menopause, the vagina produces less discharge, and discharge is more likely to be watery. Discharge may also be: ClearWhiteThinOdorless When Does Vaginal Discharge Happen? Vaginal discharge is normal and can happen at any time during the menstrual cycle. Discharge Before a Period Discharge can change throughout the menstrual cycle. It may look clear, white or slightly yellow. It may appear darker when it dries on underwear. The amount of discharge may change depending on the time of the cycle. Discharge may get thicker or thinner throughout the cycle. In the lead-up to your period, the discharge may change from clear to brown or pink. This is known as spotting and is normal. Discharge After a Period Some women may find they have slight spotting following their period. It may be brown or red in color and is typically lighter than a regular period. This is normal and is part of the period finishing. Unexpected Bleeding Some women experience unexpected bleeding or spotting throughout their cycle. In a small 2012 analysis of 201 women's bleeding and spotting patterns during their menstrual cycle, researchers found that about 5% of women experienced spotting midway through the cycle. But many experts believe spotting may be even more common. Unexpected bleeding throughout the cycle may be pink, red, or brown and is often lighter than a period. It may not require the use of sanitary protection. Managing Watery Discharge Watery vaginal discharge is normal and a sign of a healthy vagina. There is no need to do anything to try to stop the discharge, but some women may find the use of sanitary protection helpful. Tips for Coping with Excessive Discharge If you are experiencing a large amount of discharge, like around the time of ovulation, or you are experiencing spotting, you may want to wear a panty liner for added protection. There is no need to worry about discharge that is white or clear, but there are steps you can take to prevent abnormal discharge and protect your overall vaginal health, including: Wiping front to back when using the toiletAvoiding tight pants, pantyhose or bike shorts for extended periodsWearing cotton underwear in the day to allow the genital area to breatheNot wearing underwear at nightAvoiding sitting in hot tubsBathing daily and patting the genital area dryNot using feminine hygiene spraysAvoiding toilet paper that is perfumed or colored Should You Douche? Douching is not needed to clean the vagina and may actually be harmful. Douches contain chemicals that can disrupt vaginal pH balance and encourage the growth of unhealthy bacteria. They can spread infection to the uterus and increase the risk of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). If you notice genital odors, wash the outside of the vagina (called the vulva) with gentle soap and water. When to See a Healthcare Provider Clear, watery vaginal discharge is rarely a cause for concern. But if you are experiencing excess discharge, or it changes color or viscosity (thickness), especially if it's accompanied by fever and/or pain in the abdomen or pelvis, you should make an appointment with your healthcare provider. You should also contact your healthcare provider if you have unusual discharge and think you may have been exposed to a sexually transmitted infection (STI). There are some symptoms that may indicate an infection, and it is important to be aware of these. If you experience symptoms, or if they get worse or don't resolve within a week, contact your healthcare provider. These symptoms may include: Burning with urination, or other urinary symptomsItching, redness, and/or swelling in the genital areaBlisters or sores on the vagina or vulvaSudden changes to the color of dischargeSudden change in odor of dischargeSudden change in consistency of discharge Bloody Discharge: Causes and How to Treat It Summary Watery discharge is usually not a cause for concern and is a sign of a healthy vagina. It can be an indication the vagina is cleaning itself, and can also be an indication of ovulation. If accompanied by other symptoms like itchiness or a sore vagina, it may be caused by an infection or other condition. If you develop additional symptoms that concern you, make an appointment to see your healthcare provider. A Word From Verywell Watery, vaginal discharge is normal and natural, but if you find having damp spots in underwear embarrassing, that's normal, too. Panty liners can be helpful in absorbing excess moisture. Frequently Asked Questions Does watery discharge indicate pregnancy? Watery discharge doesn't necessarily indicate pregnancy—it could be due to ovulation or sexual arousal. But during pregnancy, there is an increase in the level of a hormone called progesterone that may cause more discharge to be created. Learn More: What You Need to Know About Discharge During Pregnancy What infection causes watery discharge? Watery discharge is usually a sign of a healthy vagina. But if you have watery or thin discharge with itching or soreness in the vagina, you may have thrush, a vaginal yeast infection. This is a common infection that isn't sexually transmitted and can be treated with anti-fungal medication. Learn More: What Is Vaginal Thrush? What does watery discharge mean before a period? Watery discharge can happen at any time during the menstrual cycle. It is a sign of a healthy vagina and that the body is functioning as it should. During ovulation, there may be an increase in watery discharge, and some women may prefer to use a panty liner during this time. Learn More: Vaginal Discharge Color Guide Can you have watery discharge after an abortion? Yes, but discharge after an abortion is more likely to be mucus-like. It may also be brown or black but not bloody, although bleeding is common for several weeks after an abortion. If the discharge is itchy, painful, or has a bad odor, call your healthcare provider. 13 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Sutter Health. Vaginal discharge. Pregnancy Birth and Baby. Ovulation signs. Pregnancy, birth and baby. Vaginal discharge during pregnancy. UNC School of Medicine. Cervical mucus monitoring. Health direct. Vaginal discharge. Planned Parenthood. Is it normal to have a lot of discharge before my period? Jean Hailes. Vulval and vaginal irritation. Dasharathy SS, Mumford SL, Pollack AZ, et al. Menstrual bleeding patterns among regularly menstruating women. Am J Epidemiol. 2012;175(6):536-545. World Health Organization. Family planning. Family Doctor. Vaginal discharge. MedlinePlus. Vaginal itching and discharge - adult and adolescent. ni direct. Vaginal discharge. Planned Parenthood of Michigan. Caring for Yourself After an Abortion. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Medical Expert Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit