Throughout your cycle, it is common for your body to produce signs that can help you understand what part of your cycle you are in and what to expect. One of the most helpful external signs of where you are in your cycle is the vaginal discharge you may see on your underwear. Vaginal discharge is the clear or white fluid you might notice in your underwear. This is how the body removes fluid and cells from your vagina, uterus, and cervix, and it’s totally normal and healthy.
Once you learn how to identify what the variations in discharge mean, it can be a really empowering tool to help you understand where you are in your cycle and why your body might be feeling a certain way.
During different parts of your cycle, the fluid may change texture from sticky to slippery. You might have a lot of fluid sometimes, and at other times none at all. The changes in your fluid originate in your cervix and are caused by two hormones called estrogen and progesterone. These hormones play an important role in preparing your body for menstruation, ovulation, and pregnancy. Tracking this fluid will give you a better sense of what is going on in your body. It can tell you when you’re ovulating, about to menstruate, or even if something is abnormal, like an infection.
Your entire menstrual cycle consists of two internal reproductive components, the ovaries and uterus, working together synchronistically all month, and is broken down into three phases. Throughout the month, your body gives you external clues (aka discharge or menstrual blood) that can help you know what phase or where in your cycle you may be in.
Discharge During the Phases of the Menstrual Cycle
First Half of Phase 1: Follicular/Menses (Days 1-6)
The beginning of your period (Day 1) is also the start of the follicular phase of the ovary, which kicks off the menstrual cycle. During days 1-6, your period has started and bleeding is here. Levels of both estrogen and progesterone are low.
Second Half of Phase 1: Follicular/Proliferative Phase (Days 7-13)
Just after your period ends (days 7-8), estrogen is just beginning to rise but not enough to create much discharge. In the days leading up to ovulation (around days 9-13), discharge becomes sticky, white, creamy, lotion-y. Estrogen continues to rise and the cervix produces more fluid, which starts to thin out the discharge. Discharge that was sticky or tacky, will become more wet and creamy, like a lotion as the days go on. It may look white, cloudy, or even yellowish (esp when it dries on your underwear).
Phase 2: Ovulation Phase (around Day 13-15)
During the Ovulation Phase, estrogen peaks and the cervix produces more fluid that is wet, slippery, and clearer. 1-2 days before ovulation, discharge resembles a raw eggwhite that you can stretch between your thumb and pointer finger and may feel slippery when you wipe yourself.
Phase 3: Luteal/Secretory phase (Days 15 -28)
Ovulation has passed and the amount of discharge now decreases. Progesterone increases and inhibits the cervix from secreting fluid and discharge becomes sticky, tacky, gluey, dry, or absent. The menstrual cycle continues to repeat itself and now starts back at Day 1, which is the beginning of the follicular phase with your period, when your bleeding begins once again.
If your vaginal discharge is bothering you, try wearing all cotton underwear and change your underwear more frequently. If you wear breathable materials and change your underwear whenever it feels damp from discharge, your discharge may actually lessen over time. Avoid daily panty liner use, if possible, as this may actually cause the body to create more discharge because of trapped moisture.
Occasional use of panty liners is ok, but try to limit it to only when necessary, such as when your period is about to start or as it’s trailing off. Not sure what’s up with your discharge? If you notice something out of the ordinary, it’s always a good idea to see your doctor and get it checked out.
Light or Heavy? What your period flow means
What’s a normal period flow?
Your period flow, (volume), is the amount of blood that comes out, and the easiest way to measure it is by noting how often you need to change your period products. Your flow may be light, regular, heavy, or very heavy. You’ll probably need to change your pad, tampon, or menstrual cup about 3–6 times a day. The average volume of menstrual blood is only between 3-8 tablespoons for your entire period.
During your period, you may have some light days when you’re barely bleeding at all, and then some days where your bleeding is heavier. The color and consistency of the blood can change, and you may notice small dark clumps or clots.
What if my flow is very light or very heavy?
If your period flow is very light or you don’t get your period at all, this can mean that you are low on the hormone estrogen and lacking certain essential amino acids in your diet. Preteens and teens who do a lot of sport, engage in strenuous physical activity/exercise, or dance training may also find that their periods are very light, or completely absent.
Period blood clots up to quarter size are normal on the heaviest days of your period, and can range in color from dark red to almost black. If your flow is very heavy or you are changing a pad or tampon less than every 2 hours, check with your doctor to see what could be causing it.
If you have any worries about your flow, or any other aspect of your period, it’s a good idea to see your doctor or gynecologist.
There are so many amazing products that can handle this change of flow throughout your cycle, and we’ve put them to the test. Want to know which products we LOVE to manage our flow? You can find all our recommendations on the Period Products page of the BLOOM store.
Red, brown and black period blood: Bright red, dark red, brown, and black are all normal colors of period blood. Blood changes color when it comes into contact with the air. When period blood first leaves the uterus it’s bright red, but if it travels slowly through the vagina the blood reacts with oxygen, changing the color to dark red, brown, or even black.
Pink period blood: Period blood can look pink when bright red blood is mixed with cervical fluid. It’s common for this to happen around the time of ovulation. If you’re noticing a lot of watery, pink blood at random times and it doesn’t seem related to your period, then it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor.
Grey period blood: Grey discharge or grey tissue with a period can be a sign of an infection or miscarriage, so it’s important to get this checked out by a doctor.
What is Spotting?
Many preteens and teens will experience light bleeding in between their periods, around the time of ovulation. This is called spotting. The light bleeding can be anywhere from pink to dark brown in color, because the red blood is mixed with clear or white cervical fluid. Spotting can last up to a couple of days and a pad or tampon is usually not needed.
Changes in hormone levels as your body is maturing can be one cause of spotting. Most of the time spotting is nothing to worry about, but if it is happening constantly for several months it is important that you track it and report it to your doctor.
What’s the difference between spotting and light bleeding?
Sometimes these terms are used interchangeably, so it can be confusing. Intermenstrual spotting is the name for light bleeding that happens between periods. If you experience light bleeding for a day or two, and then your period doesn’t come immediately after, then it’s intermenstrual spotting.
Some people experience light bleeding in the 1-2 days before the start of their period. If you have light bleeding that occurs within 1-2 days of your period starting, you should count the first day of full bleeding as day 1 of your period. Some preteens and teens will get this light bleeding in the beginning or towards the end of their period and it may be greasy, brown, or different in texture to period blood.
Menorrhagia is a medical term for abnormally heavy or long-lasting periods. If you bring this up with your pediatrician, doctor, or gynecologist, they may need to do some blood tests to look at your thyroid function or iron count. The purpose of the blood tests is to rule out anemia, which makes you feel tired and weak.
Symptoms of Menorrhagia (excessive, heavy bleeding) are:
Soaking through one or more pads or tampons every hour for several hours in a row
Needing to use 2 period products at once to control your menstrual flow
Needing to wake up to change period products during the night
Bleeding for longer than a week
Passing blood clots larger than a quarter
Needing to restrict your daily activities due to heavy menstrual flow
Symptoms of anemia, such as tiredness, fatigue, or shortness of breath
Irregular periods
By tracking your period with a calendar or the BLOOM Period Tracker, you can find out if your menstrual cycle is irregular. Tracking will give you an indication of what is “regular” for you! It may take a couple of years after you start your period for it to become regular. Irregular periods don’t necessarily mean anything is wrong, but it’s always good to share your tracked information with your gynecologist so they can provide any medical care you may need.
What if I miss a period?
It is normal in the first couple of years to have an irregular period, or to skip a month sometimes. Your body is maturing and hormones are changing. Some other reasons for missed periods can be:
Excessive weight loss or gain
Excessive exercise
Ovulation issues
Thyroid disorder
Pregnancy (if having penis in vagina sex)
Contact your gynecologist if you’re frequently missing your period, or if you miss it two times in a row. For more information about gynecologists and what to expect at your first appointment, check out our Gynos Are Great page.
