Is vaginal discharge before menstruation dangerous for health?

Most women experience vaginal discharge before menstruation, but this condition will not affect the cycle or duration of menstruation itself. So, is this condition a normal condition or is it even dangerous?

Causes of vaginal discharge before menstruation

The main characteristic of vaginal discharge is mucus discharge from the vagina. The mucus is produced by glands in the cervix. Its function is to clean the vagina from bacteria and protect it from germs that cause disease.

Whitish mucus contains fluid that comes from vaginal cells, bacteria, water, and reproductive hormones. On average, a woman produces 4 milliliters of vaginal mucus, the equivalent of one teaspoon.

Vaginal mucus production can increase when you exercise, undergo strenuous activities, experience stress, and have sex. The production of mucus during intercourse is also important to protect the vagina from friction during penetration.

The discharge that you experience before menstruation is part of the menstrual cycle. Before the egg is released from the ovum (ovulation), the production of vaginal mucus increases drastically. This is what makes many women experience vaginal discharge before menstruation begins.

During this period, the production of the hormone estrogen also increases. Estrogens make vaginal mucus appear clearer and thinner. In 2-3 days after menstruation, vaginal mucus will appear thicker and white due to the increase in the hormone progesterone.

A few days after that, the production of the hormone progesterone returns to normal. The vaginal mucus will appear clear and slightly thick until you re-ovulate and repeat your menstrual cycle.

However, normal or not vaginal discharge depends on the amount and color of mucus that comes out of the vagina.

Characteristics of abnormal vaginal discharge

There are various types of mucus that comes out of the vagina when women experience vaginal discharge. To make sure the vaginal discharge you experience before your period is normal or not, you need to pay attention to its color and thickness.

Here are some types of vaginal discharge and their causes:

1. White

Thick white mucus indicates normal vaginal discharge. This condition can occur before or after menstruation. Both are equally normal as long as they are not accompanied by other symptoms.

However, you need to be aware if the mucus appears white and lumpy. This whitish condition can be a symptom of a yeast infection. Immediately visit a doctor to get the right treatment.

2. Looks clear

Clear vaginal mucus also indicates normal vaginal discharge. If the mucus looks thick, you are likely ovulating. This means that you will have your period in the next few days.

Meanwhile, clear, watery vaginal mucus can occur at any time outside of the ovulation period. This is completely normal as long as you have no other symptoms.

3. Yellow or green

The discharge before menstruation can be abnormal if the vaginal mucus appears yellow or green. Usually, the vaginal mucus also looks very thick, lumpy, and gives off an unpleasant odor.

Yellow and green mucus can indicate trichomoniasis bacterial infection. However, there are also some women who experience vaginal discharge like this after taking certain supplements.

4. Red or brown

Leucorrhoea with a red or brown color is considered normal if it occurs during menstruation or a few days afterward. Leucorrhoea accompanied by a small amount of blood is also normal and is referred to as spotting.

Even so, be aware if you continue to experience vaginal discharge like this outside the menstrual period. Red and brown vaginal discharge can indicate a growth of fibroid tissue in the uterus or cervical cancer.

As long as vaginal mucus appears normal, vaginal discharge before menstruation is not a condition to worry about. This fully indicates that you are ovulating before your period.

If you are still in doubt, you can discuss this matter with your doctor. Your doctor can perform an examination of the vaginal mucus to detect health problems as early as possible.