Usually, the amount of discharge is regulated by the hormones and is often associated with hormonal changes. For example: you might find increased amount of discharge a week prior to your expected period. If you are using a contraceptive pill, you might see a sudden increase of decrease in the vaginal discharge. During pregnancy, the discharge is different and around your menopause, it becomes different. The estrogen, or commonly the female hormone, is responsible to maintain the pH balance of a woman’s vagina. It helps increase the production of lactic acid in the vaginal area so that bacteria are not allowed to enter into the body. The estrogen is also responsible for the increase in the discharge around your periods.
If your discharge is normal, it will be clear, with a creamy texture and a white or slightly paler color. If there is a sudden change in the amount of discharge that you have been producing and the color is yellow, brown or green accompanied with a foul, fishy smell, you must immediately get yourself checked. These kind of discharges are indicative of vaginal infections like bacteria vaginitis, yeast infections etc. Usually, to determine what problem you actually have, the one that’s causing the discharge, your doctor will ask you for samples of the discharge. These are then studied, tests are conducted in a laboratory to find any conclusive indications of a persisting condition. If the test comes out as positive for any of the vaginal infections, your gynecologist will tell you what to do next.
answered by G M