Vaginal discharge is a natural secretion that the body produces in order to keep the vagina in good condition and protect it from possible infections. Although, in principle, having a flow is totally normal for any woman, this substance is still a real mystery. Its appearance sometimes makes us worry and wonder if it is too abundant or too little, if it has a suitable color, if it has a correct texture or if it smells bad or does not smell. The truth is that paying attention to the changes experienced by vaginal discharge is very good since thanks to this we can learn to detect possible health problems. For example, very abundant vaginal discharge can be the cause of an infection, although this is not the only possible reason. In this article we tell you all the causes of abundant vaginal discharge, also technically known as leucorrhoea. Very attentive.

Vaginal discharge, how to know if it is normal?

  • Vaginal discharge is a kind of mucus that develops in the cervix, keeping the vagina lubricated and protected from possible infections. Vaginal discharge can vary its appearance depending on the phase of the menstrual cycle in which we find ourselves, although its texture, color and quantity usually have common characteristics.
  • Its usual color should be white or yellowish. In reality, the flow is transparent, but it acquires these shades when it is expelled and comes into contact with the air. If your vaginal discharge does not have this color and turns into something greyish, brown or green, you should go to the gynecologist immediately because you are most likely suffering from an infection.
  • The consistency and texture of the discharge should be similar to that of mucus. If it suddenly becomes too watery or too thick, your body may be trying to alert you to a health problem. The same goes for the smell. The discharge usually does not smell, so if you start detecting a bad vaginal odor, you should start to rethink making a visit to your doctor.
  • As for the amount, it depends on each woman. No one knows your body better than you, so you should be able to differentiate when your vaginal discharge is normal and when it looks strange or excessive.

Causes of abundant vaginal discharge

In the event that you consider that your vaginal discharge is presenting some type of anomaly, it is best that you go to the doctor immediately so that, in case it is something serious, he can prescribe the appropriate treatment as soon as possible and prevent, in this way. Shape, greater evils. These are some of the causes that can cause excessive vaginal discharge to appear (and yes, infection is among them):

1. Ovulation

When a woman is in her non-fertile days, the discharge looks thick. However, when ovulation occurs, the amount of discharge increases to promote fertilization. Vaginal discharge, in addition to being more abundant, becomes more watery. This helps the sperm to travel in search of the egg.

2. Pregnancy

During this stage, the woman also secretes a more abundant and watery vaginal discharge than usual. This is due to two main reasons: the first one is due to the increase in estrogen levels and the second one is due to the increase in blood flow to the vagina.

3. Medicines

There are certain types of medications, such as the contraceptive pill, which, among their side effects, cause very abundant vaginal discharge. Therefore, if you are using this method to prevent a possible pregnancy, you should not worry if you suddenly notice that your vaginal mucus is increased in quantity and consistency.

4. Excitement

As we have already mentioned, another of the main functions of vaginal discharge is to keep us naturally lubricated. Therefore, when a woman is aroused, it is normal for her flow to increase so that sexual relations are pleasant and not painful at all. This function of the flow is reduced (even going so far as to disappear) when the woman approaches menopause since her hormone levels decrease considerably.

5. Female ejaculation

When a woman reaches orgasm, the glands in the urethra generate a watery fluid (very similar to discharge) that comes out through the vagina. This liquid can be more or less abundant depending on each woman.

6. Stress

Stress and anxiety can cause major changes in the body. One of them is the appearance of vaginal discharge. When a woman feels overwhelmed and nervous, whatever the circumstance she is, what is usual is that her flow becomes much more abundant.

7. Infection

This last case is the one that deserves more attention from the woman since it requires an urgent visit to the doctor. On many occasions, either due to lack of hygiene or not wearing the right clothes, the vaginal flora becomes unbalanced, causing changes in vaginal discharge. This is transformed to become much more abundant and with a somewhat unpleasant smell. These symptoms are usually accompanied by others such as irritation, pain when urinating, itching and discomfort when having sex. In this case, the gynecologist will make a diagnosis and prescribe the appropriate treatment to end the infection.

Heavy vaginal discharge from an infection

There are several types of vaginal infections. Some are caused by bacteria and others by fungi, although all of them cause leucorrhea or profuse flow. Here we tell you what type of infection you may be suffering from and what each of them consists of:
  • Candidiasis: this infection is caused by the fungus Candida albicans and is very common among women. Among its symptoms are an intense and constant itching and an abundant discharge, white, thick and with lumps. It is a fungus that spreads in the vagina when we have an imbalance in the bacterial flora.
  • Bacterial vaginosis: it is another of the most common infections among women. It is easily recognized because it generates a profuse discharge with a fishy smell, whitish, grayish or yellowish in color. It also presents other symptoms such as itching, burning and pain in the vagina. The bacterium that causes this infection is known as Gardnerella vaginalis and can only be eliminated by antibiotic-based treatment.
  • Trichomoniasis: this is an infection that acts on the outermost layer or membrane of the skin of the vagina and cervix. The parasites that cause it are known as Trichomonas and are transmitted through sexual intercourse. Many times this infection does not present symptoms, which is why many women are not aware that they have it. However, on many other occasions, it can be detected through increased vaginal discharge and inflammation.
In addition to these infections, uterine cancer can also cause excessive vaginal discharge, although this is not its main symptom. There is usually a change not only in the quantity, but also in the color, this being more pink and even brown.

Some recommendations to avoid abundant vaginal discharge

To avoid having an excessive flow, it is essential to take into account certain recommendations.
  • Maintain correct vaginal hygiene: it is important that the intimate parts be cleaned only with water, since other types of products or techniques such as vaginal showers may end up affecting the flora.
  • Wear loose-fitting cotton underwear: synthetic fabrics and tight clothing more likely to cause irritation.
  • Avoid the use of panty liners or tampons: these methods retain moisture in the area and can cause infections. Have you tried the menstrual cup? It is ideal to prevent them!