The female reproductive system constantly produces a small amount of secretion to lubricate the mucous membranes. Abundant clear, odorless discharge may appear in some periods of life, being one of the variants of the norm. We are talking about secretions that do not cause discomfort to a woman 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 sounding the alarm, and when you can take the changes calmly, you need to know the signs of illness and normal options.
Normal highlights
Vaginal secret plays a significant role in the female body. It is he who lubricates the vagina, protecting its shell from injury during intimacy. In addition, whites maintain normal microflora in the reproductive system and the level of acidity, which is necessary to prevent entry intothe uterus of pathogenic bacteria.
The secretions consist 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. A normal secretion is snot-like in texture. Its transparency and density depend on the content of mucins and proteins in it.
Under normal discharge conditions:
- transparent, with a slight white or cream tint;
- does not have an unpleasant odor, a slight sour smell may be due to the activity of lactobacilli living in the vagina;
- does not foam, does not contain lumps, impurities or blood streaks.
In addition, leucorrhea 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, copious, clear, odorless, itchy discharge is usually normal. At the same time, the density of mucus can change significantly along 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 secretions 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 clear discharge without odor anditching are completely normal.
Then, in the first phase of the cycle, the discharge gradually becomes 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, copious, odorless, clear discharge can appear, regardless of the phase of the cycle, for example, due to an allergic reaction to some medications or products. In addition, sensitive reproductive organs can react with the appearance of such leucorrhoea to a sharp change in climate or environment.
Features of selections
It is noteworthy that sometimes in normal secretions there are small impurities of blood, which disappear rather quickly. 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.
Among other things, spotting can be normal in the first months after starting oral contraceptives or installing a contraceptive spiral.
Clear, abundant, odorless discharge during pregnancy
In the early stages, the activity of the reproductive system and the very process of bearing the fetus is controlled by progesterone. At this time, abundant discharge of a transparent color, odorless, is characteristic of the moment of conception, they are the first sign of pregnancy. In some cases, the secret becomes slightlyyellowish, greenish or white. This is acceptable if the woman does not have itching, burning, bad smell 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, clear, odorless discharge is also absolutely normal.
Signs of pathology during pregnancy
If the leucorrhoea has acquired an unusual, unpleasant odor, impurities of pus or blood, dizziness, abdominal pain and weakness are felt, then you should urgently call a doctor. After all, these signs may indicate an ectopic pregnancy or spontaneous abortion.
In the first days after the IVF procedure, there are abundant, transparent, odorless discharges, sometimes even with ichor. This is how the uterus reacts to the implantation of a foreign body.
Hormones
Periodic occurrence of copious, odorless and itchy clear mucous discharge is typical for girls for several years after the onset of the 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 secret.
Features of the female cycle
Well, the main reason for fluctuations in the volume and type of discharge is the menstrual cycle. After menstruation, abundant clear, odorless discharge indicates the approachovulation. The greater the volume of whites, the closer the release of the egg from the follicle.
Bleeding becomes more abundant due to surges 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 clear, odorless discharge after menstruation is the absolute norm, and in this case you should not consult a doctor for a diagnosis.
Sexual contacts
After and at the time of intimacy, a 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 is removed from the reproductive organs with male sperm penetrating inside. This is normal unless it is accompanied by burning, pain, itching, bad odor and other warning signs.
Birth
After the baby is born, the secret gradually turns from bloody mucus, reminiscent of menstruation, into a viscous, very abundant, clear, odorless discharge.
If a woman is breastfeeding, then she may have transparent leucorrhoea with a subtle yellowish tint. After the normalization of the menstrual cycle, the discharge becomes the same.
Climax
During menopause, hormonal changes occur in a woman's body. This is due to a stop in the normal functioning of the ovaries. The discharge becomes scarce, there is excessive dryness of the vagina, an abnormal thinning of the mucous membrane, which is oftencauses the development of infectious and inflammatory processes in the reproductive system.
During this period, a woman may experience abnormal discharge with an unusual smell and texture. The symptom disappears after treatment.
Dangerous at this time are abundant odorless discharge with streaks of blood. Indeed, at this age, such whites often turn out to be a symptom of oncological pathologies.
Other causes of discharge
All the described factors for the appearance of transparent odorless whites are normal. All of them, one way or another, are connected with the natural physiological processes in the female body. But there are many other reasons for the appearance of abundant, clear, odorless discharge. What could such a secret be a sign of?
- Allergy to hygiene products. If the genitals are too sensitive, they can react to aggressive exposure with the appearance of copious, odorless discharge. Such a symptom may appear due to the wearing of synthetic underwear, the use of poor-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 important during menstruation. After all, blood is a favorable environment for the appearance of all kinds of diseases.
- Stress. Prolonged emotional stress can lead to changes in the microflora of the vagina, which, in turn, causes the appearance of an abundant, odorless, viscous secretion.
- The presence of an outsiderobject in the vagina. We are talking about particles of a tampon, pads or even napkins.
- Oncological pathologies of the reproductive organs.
- Inflammatory processes in the ovaries, fallopian tubes and the uterus itself.
What are the signs of illness
Very abundant clear 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 a variety of factors: the reproduction of opportunistic microorganisms, inflammatory processes, complications of previous diseases, infections, promiscuity, poor heredity.
- White-transparent copious odorless discharge with cheesy impurities. It is not excluded the occurrence of a subtle or, on the contrary, a pronounced sour smell. Usually, such symptoms indicate thrush. Often the disease is accompanied by burning, itching and discomfort. But thrush may well be limited only to pathological discharge, without any additional signs.
- Profuse clear discharge with a smell of rotten fish. Such symptoms may indicate vaginitis or bacterial infections of the vagina. At the same time, the secretions themselves become extremely viscous and viscous.
- Profuse clear leucorrhoea streaked with 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 discharge, one can even suspect an oncological pathology.
- Abundant transparent 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 heavy discharge, a woman may be disturbed by burning of the genital organs, fever, pain at the time of emptying the bladder.
- Abundant watery leucorrhoea can indicate disorders in the microflora of the vagina or the penetration of pathogenic bacteria into the reproductive organs. This condition may be accompanied by burning, itching and discomfort. But the presence of additional symptoms is not a prerequisite for such a diagnosis.
- Excessive discharge with brown impurities indicates minor bleeding in the woman's reproductive system.
If you notice any deviation from the norm, you should visit a gynecologist. If you are worried about unpleasant abundant mucous discharge, then the pathology has already developed and can greatly harm the body. So it's definitely not worth delaying a visit to the doctor.
Diagnosis
Modern medicine makes it easy to 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 examinations that can accurately determine the diagnosis.
Dab onflora. 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 abundant, 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 detect oncological neoplasms at an early stage.
- PCR smear. A highly accurate, informative study that allows you to determine the presence of a specific disease that provoked the appearance of abundant transparent discharge.
- Blood test for all sorts of infections. This study helps to confirm or refute the presence of sexually transmitted pathologies. Almost all diseases can be detected with a blood test.
Additionally, a woman may be prescribed an ultrasound and endoscopy of the uterus.
