Milky White Discharge Before Period

White discharge before and after periods is considered normal if such discharge is transparent or cloudy white and without any itching or foul smell. The discharge should remain the same; any changes in the consistency, color, and amount is an indication of some abnormality.

It may be noted that the white discharge before period is in fact a type of mucus that is secreted by the glands in the cervix and the vagina; pregnant women may experience this as a ‘pregnancy discharge.’It is a kind of defense mechanism of the body to prevent infections in the vagina.The fluid removes all the dead cells from the cervix and the vagina when it flows out and thus keeps the area healthy, clean, and free from bacteria and other pathogens.

If milky white discharge occurs with itching, bad smell, and in larger quantities than usual, then consult a doctor for diagnosis and treatment, if needed.

Causes of milky white discharge before period

Milky white discharge before period can occur due to normal and abnormal causes as discussed below.

Normal causes

Milky white discharge before period: Discharge before periods is natural and normal if it is thick, white, and sticky.It occurs due to congestion of the pelvis and is produced by the glands in the cervix and the vagina and thus in reality is just mucus.Just before period, women may experience a clear fluid, which is also not some kind of infection. Later, there may be significant clear or milky white discharge during the period, which is also normal.
- Brownish discharge for a short period just before the start of menstruation is also normal. However, if there is brown discharge between periods, then it may be an indication of implantation bleeding, particularly if such brown discharge occurs a week before period.
White discharge during ovulation: Thick, milky white discharge during the first few days of menstruation is also normal. Ovulation which typically occurs between the tenth and nineteenth days of the menstrual cycle is marked by increased hormonal changes in the body. At this time, women may experience abundant, clear, wet, slippery, and stretchy discharge with a raw-egg-white-like consistency. It provides the right environment for sperms survival; sperms can live in the vagina during this period for nearly 3 days. It is thus the ideal time for conception.

Abnormal causes

Yeast infections: If the white discharge is heavy and thick with a cottage cheese-like consistency, along with other symptoms like soreness, redness, and discomfort and pain around the vaginal area, then it may be an indication of an underlying yeast infection. Milky white discharge caused yeast infections are often smelly.
- Even though women sometimes tend to contract yeast infections after sex, it is not a sexually transmitted disease. It may also be caused due to weakening of the immune system due to varied conditions like increased stress, etc. Intake of birth control pills also increases the vulnerability to developing yeast infections.
- Women who experience milky white discharge before periods along with the above listed symptoms need to consult a doctor and treat the yeast infections with medications. Proper treatment can help get rid of the infection in a week or even less.
Bacterial vaginosis/BV: It is a condition marked by sudden increase in the amounts of milky white discharge before periods. Sometimes, the discharge may be yellowish or grayish in color and may smell like fish. The smell generally becomes more putrid after sexual intercourse.
- BV occurs due to imbalances in the levels of good and bad bacteria in the vagina. It increases the vulnerability to contracting HIV infections and varied health complications in pregnant women patients. The condition needs to be immediately treated by a doctor.
Gonorrhea or Chlamydia: These are sexually transmitted diseases that may cause milky white or cloudy, yellowish discharge before and during periods. Patients may also experience symptoms like burning sensations when passing urine, bleeding or spotting, and urinary incontinence, etc. These STDs need to be treated immediately as non-treatment can cause the infection to spread and trigger the more dangerous pelvic inflammatory disease.
Trichomoniasis: It is an infection that causes milky white discharge to increase substantially before and during periods; such discharge may become frothy and change color to yellowish-green. Additional symptoms include itchiness, inflammation of the vulva and vagina, and frequent urination. Also, the discharge may smell like rotten eggs. The infection usually spreads via sexual intercourse and hence both partners need to seek immediate medical attention.