4/27/2015 12:29:54 AM


Vaginal Discharge During Pregnancy (Leukorrhea)

Here's how to cope with leukorrhea, the harmless vaginal discharge that you'll have instead of your period for these nine months of pregnancy.

Leukorrhea is the medicalese term for the thin, milky white and mild-smelling (sometimes even odorless) vaginal discharge that many women experience throughout pregnancy. One of the earliest pregnancy symptoms, you might notice more of it when you're around 13 weeks pregnant, the start of your second trimester, and it can be expected to increase as your pregnancy progresses.

What causes leukorrhea during pregnancy?

Your body's stepped-up production of estrogen, which increases blood flow to the pelvic area and stimulates the body's mucous membranes during pregnancy, is the culprit behind this pesky pregnancy symptom.

What you need to know

Leukorrhea is similar to the vaginal discharge you might experience between periods, only heavier. Its presence, though never especially pleasant, is normal throughout your entire pregnancy — it protects the birth canal from infection and maintains a healthy balance of bacteria in the vagina. You may also notice your discharge is brown or pink – as long as you're not heavily bleeding this vaginal spotting is most often a normal symptom of pregnancy, especially after intercourse. However if your discharge is yellowish, greenish or thick and cheesy with a foul odor, call your practitioner as you may have a vaginal infection that requires treatment.

What to do

  • Wear pads or panty liners (never a tampon) to absorb the discharge if they help you to feel more comfortable. Keeping clean and dry down there can help prevent some of the unpleasant odors that can possibly go along with vaginal discharge during pregnancy.
  • Leave the douches at the drugstore. Douching can upset the natural chemistry in your vagina and can lead to vaginal infections during pregnancy. Plus, it might force air into the vagina, which can be dangerous when you're pregnant.
  • Don't bother with washes and wipes meant to keep the vagina clean or stop odor because it could be irritating and change the pH in your genital tract (again increasing your chances of a vaginal infection).

Updated 6/5/14

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