What is the difference between ovulation discharge and pregnancy discharge

It is usually thin, milky-white or colorless, and with a mild odor or no odor. This discharge is referred to as leukorrhea. The term frequently refers to vaginal discharge during pregnancy, but leukorrhea is also present in non-pregnant women. During pregnancy, leukorrhea production increases due to increased estrogen and blood flow to the vaginal area.

However, this increase doesn't typically become noticeable until the eighth week—after other, more definitive signs of early pregnancy, such as a missed period.

In your first trimester of pregnancy, vaginal discharge increases in an effort to remove dead cells and bacteria from the uterus and vagina to help prevent infections. The amount of vaginal discharge you experience will increase gradually as your pregnancy progresses.

As long as it remains generally colorless and odorless, it is normal and not cause for concern. Over time, this discharge also helps form the mucus plug.

This plug blocks the opening of your cervix to prevent an infection from entering the uterus and harming the baby. Brown or pinkish vaginal discharge may occur during pregnancy.

This could appear as light streaks or spots of color on your underwear or the toilet paper when you wipe. If it seems like very light bleeding, it could be spotting. Usually, this brown- or pink-tinged discharged does not indicate a problem. Common causes may include:. Some changes in vaginal discharge during pregnancy can be signs of infection. Check in with your healthcare provider if you notice redness, itching, or swelling in the vulva, or changes in discharge including:.

If the discharge is very watery and seems excessive, it could be amniotic fluid or even urine. Since leaking amniotic fluid could be a sign of preterm labor , it's important to call your doctor and have this checked out.

Bleeding as opposed to light spotting or pink-tinged discharge in pregnancy is not normal. Always call your doctor right away if you have any vaginal bleeding. While it can be uncomfortable or annoying, increased vaginal discharge is normal during pregnancy. If you have any questions or concerns, or experience bleeding or a change in the amount, consistency, color, or odor of discharge, it's important to call your healthcare provider.

Get diet and wellness tips to help your kids stay healthy and happy. Ulcova-Gallova Z. Immunological and physicochemical properties of cervical ovulatory mucus. J Reprod Immunol. Cone RA. Barrier properties of mucus. Adv Drug Deliv Rev. Ovulation refers to the point in the middle of your cycle when your body releases an egg for potential fertilization. As you approach this point in your cycle, cervical mucus production increases. This increased discharge helps to usher sperm up your cervix so they can fertilize the released egg.

Learn more about tracking your cervical mucus and what to look for at different stages of you menstrual cycle. Many people report experiencing changes in cervical mucus early in their pregnancy. Usually, your discharge becomes drier and thinner after ovulation, when estrogen decreases. But if sperm successfully fertilize an egg, you might notice that your discharge remains thick, clear, and stretchy.

It might also take on a whitish color. This thicker discharge can last for up to about eight weeks. At that point, the mucus starts to form a mucus plug, which protects the embryo and cervix. Many things besides ovulation and pregnancy can cause changes in your vaginal discharge. For example, vaginitis , a bacterial infection of the vagina, can cause changes in pH that cause the cervix to produce extra mucus. Sometimes, the mucus remains clear. In other cases, it might turn yellow, gray, or green.

Credit: Shutterstock. So, here we go. Here are the most common observable symptoms that can indicate ovulation:. Vaginal infection or sexually transmitted disease Sexual excitement Use of lubricants during intercourse. Douching Breastfeeding Perimenopause Surgery performed on the cervix. Comments 1. Sort by: Newest. Newest Oldest.

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