Creamy white discharge is a common happening among women from the stage of puberty till menopause. Once your reproductive system becomes “viable” and ready to function, you will likely experience vaginal discharge to some degree, which may change depending on the time in your menstrual cycle. While most women report a lot of thick white creamy discharge with no odor, others report a frequent white, smelly secretion that is oftentimes cites with a light to heavy odor, as well as a pretty dense consistency.
So what does it mean when you have white creamy discharge? Is it normal? Is it a sign of pregnancy? See what our readers have asked us about this pesky issue.
1. I have recently taken antibiotics, and I have noticed lots of thick creamy white discharge lately. The discharge is pasty, and has a consistent that’s very similar to cottage cheese. The smell is fishy, and if I don’t change my underwear at least two times a day, then it gets really bad and easily noticeable through my jeans. My genital area itches, and I can barely refrain from not scratching or trying to banish the itching. I have not had any sex during the last few months, so I completely exclude the possibility of a sexually transmitted disease. What could be causing the discharge? Should I be concerned?
AllDischarge.Com Expert Answers:
You say that you had taken antibiotics, which makes me think that you have probably gotten a yeast infection. Yeast infections are very common among both sexually active and inactive women, and may occur at any point in your life. An infection of this type is caused by an overgrowth of Candida bodies in the vaginal flora, which happens when good bacteria (such as lactobacillus) can no longer regulate their growth due to hormonal changes.
You already exhibit yeast infection symptoms: creamy white discharge, fishy smell, itching, and I am assuming that your vulva is quite swollen and red as well. Plus, antibiotics are known to frequently cause yeast infections due to altering your vagina’s pH and facilitating the growth of yeast.
You should see your doctor and have a sample of the discharge taken, which will be sent to a laboratory for analysis. If it’s a yeast infection, you will probably need to take either antibiotics or injections. Your doctor may also prescribe you a cream or ointment to soothe the itching. Do your best not to scratch, or else you may worsen the symptoms. Also, consider consuming more yoghurt and taking probiotics supplements while on antibiotics, so you can avoid yeast infections in the future.
2. Yesterday morning I noticed a large yellow stain on my underwear. I am normally very diligent about my personal hygiene, and I always wash down below every two days. I also change my underwear every day. I am currently in a monogamous relationship and had sex about two weeks ago, but I don’t think that the discharge is caused by an STD. However, we did not use condoms, and I have never been on birth control either. Could the discharge be a sign of pregnancy? Is white creamy discharge normal?
AllDischarge.Com Expert Answers:
Many women assume that creamy white discharge from vagina is a sign of pregnancy, and they are completely right – you may be pregnant. You made it pretty clear that you have never dealt with an increased amount of discharge before since you insisted that you keep yourself clean and change your underpants frequently. However, your excessive diligence may be causing your discharge to be more unusual than normally. Have you been using scented soaps or perfumes lately? Have you douched?
If yes, then you should definitely change your hygiene habits, as they are clearly doing more harm than good. Use only water with very mild soap for washing down below, and never use any feminine hygiene products, as they will alter the acidic pH of your vagina, creating a breeding ground for bacteria and other organisms. This can cause your vagina to produce more mucus than usually, which may be quite abnormal as compared to your normal discharge.
You must understand that, just like your mouth produces saliva to flush out bacteria, your vagina produces discharge to eliminate dead cells and bacteria too. As such, you may only need to occasionally use a bit of water to keep yourself fresh, along with mild, unscented soap if you want to get that “all-clean” feeling.
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3. I am a 13-year-old girl who has never had her period. Over the last week, I have noticed some sort of secretion coming out of my vagina. It’s clear, odorless, and very watery, and whenever I experience it, it feels like I have just passed urine. I have noticed the secretion to be yellow on my underpants. I have no cramps, no discomfort, no itching, no redness – nothing except this secretion. Is it normal? Does it indicate an infection? Is it a sign that my period may start soon? I am too ashamed to talk to anybody about this, so please help!
AllDischarge.Com Expert Answers:
I have read and re-read your question, and the only thing that popped into my mind was: she has just hit puberty. I am pretty sure that your breasts have started to get bigger, and you now have hair in new places than you used to. About 6 months to 1 year before a girl gets her period, she may start experiencing vaginal discharge, or vaginal mucus. Vaginal discharge is a fluid produced by the glands inside the vagina and cervix, which help flush out dead cells and bacteria. This fluid keeps your vagina clean and prevents infections, so even if it bothers you, it’s actually beneficial.
Vaginal discharge occurs at puberty due to the many hormonal changes in your body, and more specifically due to the increase in estrogen, a hormone that’s produced mostly by your ovaries. When you start experiencing discharge, it means that your reproductive system is “viable” and ready to function – in other words, you can get pregnant.
Normal discharge is usually clear or white, and its consistency varies from thin to thick and creamy. Your vagina will likely produce a lot more discharge before period and after ovulation, so you shouldn’t alarm if your panties have large yellow stains. Regardless of its color, discharge becomes yellow in contact with the air, so that’s why it may appear quite abnormal. As long as you do not experience any symptoms such as itching, discomfort, and your discharge has no odor, then you’re perfectly healthy.
4. For the first time in my life, my period is more than 10 days late. My periods are usually regular, as I have a 32-day menstrual cycle, but this time it seems to have “forgotten” to start. However, I have been experiencing creamy white vaginal discharge over the past two weeks, and there seems to be more of it after sex. The discharge is cloudy white, but has no smell. I tried rubbing it between my fingers, and it feels kind of creamy, just like a paste. My vulva feels extremely dry, which makes me uncomfortable. I have been having lots of sex lately, but only with my romantic partner (we’ve been together for a few years already). I’m afraid that I may be pregnant! Could this be possible?
AllDischarge.Com Expert Answers:
To cut a long story short, then yes, you may be pregnant. You say that you had had sex recently, but you don’t mention whether you used any form of protection (condoms or birth control pills). I assume you didn’t since you had sex with your partner whom you have been with for years now, and since you’re raising the possibility of pregnancy. You also mentioned that your discharge is white, creamy, but doesn’t have any smell, which indicates that you don’t have an infection. Most STDs (gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, Chlamydia) would have exhibited a strong, fishy smell, which you say you don’t have. The same goes for yeast infection and bacterial vaginosis.
But in addition to pregnancy, there are other possible reasons causing abnormal discharge. Have you made any changes to your lifestyle lately? Perhaps you’ve been eating more sugary foods than usually, or you have been taking medications for, say, dismenorrhea, which is usually painful and requires hormonal medications to alleviate the pain. Maybe you have been using scented soaps and other such products for cleaning your intimate area. Your vagina’s acidic pH helps prevent bacteria and other organisms from festering and causing infections, and these products may alter the pH, creating a breeding ground for these organisms – thus your discharge becomes white and pasty.
It’s normal to experience more of this discharge during sex, as your body is naturally lubricating the vagina in expectation of the penetration, so it isn’t a reason of concern. However, you should still see a doctor to rule out the possibility of an infection, and then take a pregnancy test to see whether you’re pregnant or not. Sometimes, even stress may cause abnormal discharge!
5. I have noticed a lot of discharge after I exercise. I mean, my underpants are always dripping wet, and there is a very musky smell. Sometimes, I experience the discharge right when I exercise, and it seems as if I had passed urine. Is there anything wrong with me? Do I have an infection? This doesn’t happen when I have sex – just when I exercise. The amount of discharge is normal in the rest of the time. Could you please advise me?
AllDischarge.Com Expert Answers:
I myself have been dealing with lots of clear, watery discharge after exercising, so it’s a perfectly normal happening. Many times, you may notice an increase in discharge after walking or engaging in moderate physical activity. You say that you didn’t notice a bad odor, and the discharge is runny, which means that there is no infection. You also mention that this happens only when you exercise, which kind of speaks for itself. However, bacterial vaginosis may oftentimes cause watery, thin discharge instead of thick white discharge, so it’s good to take some tests to make sure that there’s nothing to be concerned about.
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6. I have recently had sex with a guy I didn’t know before, and I’m now experiencing a lot of white creamy discharge from vagina. It’s thick, sometimes yellowish, and smells very bad. My vagina kind of itches, and it’s pretty painful when I urinate. I’m afraid that I may have contracted a STD. We haven’t used any protection, and he came inside. What’s causing it? What is the white creamy discharge coming out from my vagina? Should I have this checked by a professional?
AllDischarge.Com Expert Answers:
Engaging in unprotected sex with a person you have never met before poses a lot of risks to your genital health. You know nothing about his medical history, and even thought he claims he is “clear,” he may as well have an STD such as gonorrhea or Chlamydia, which tend to be asymptomatic in men. You say that the discharge is white and creamy, which makes me think of yeast infection.
This doesn’t mean that you have contracted it – there’s a good chance that the sexual intercourse has altered your vagina’s pH, which in turn disrupted the balance and caused an overgrowth of Candida bodies. You also reported vaginal itching, which is a common symptom of yeast infection. However, sexually transmitted diseases manifest differently, so even though it’s white and not yellow or greenish, you may still have gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, or even Chlamydia.
It’s best to get yourself checked as soon as possible. If left untreated, these infections can have very serious consequences, including possible infertility. As for preventive measures you can take to avoid creamy white vaginal discharge in the future, you should avoid engaging in any sexual activity with anyone but your romantic partner, or at least with someone whom you have been knowing for some time already. Also, make sure to use condoms even if you’re on birth control – your goal isn’t only not getting pregnant, but also not contracting an STD. Your partner may refuse it, but you should keep insisting. And if he doesn’t accept the idea, you should better leave than risk your health and well-being.
Once the exact cause of abnormal discharge is identified, don’t forget to inform your partner about it before he spreads the infection to other women as well.