Thick, white discharge usually indicates ovulation. But if you’re experiencing other unusual symptoms, it could be a sign of infection or another underlying health condition.

The type of vaginal discharge you experience changes during your menstrual cycle, but in almost all cases, it’s a sign that everything is working well. In fact, the discharge can mean your vagina is healthy.

Vaginal discharge is used to help keep your vaginal tissues moist and lubricated. It’s influenced by your reproductive hormones, which is why it changes throughout the menstrual cycle and in pregnancy.

Vaginal discharge is also your body’s way of maintaining the pH balance of your vagina. The fluids act as natural lubrication to move bacteria, dirt, and germs out of your vaginal cavity.

However, from time to time, white discharge may be a sign of an underlying condition that requires medical care.

Thick, white discharge can occur throughout your menstrual cycle. This discharge is known as leukorrhea, and it’s completely natural.

The discharge may start out thinner in the days leading up to ovulation, or when an egg is released. During ovulation, the discharge or mucus may become very thick and mucus-like.

This is a sign that you’re ovulating, and some people who ovulate use this as a natural indication of fertility. If you’re trying to get pregnant, seeing this thick white discharge may indicate it’s time to have sex.

This type of discharge is healthy as long as it does not have a bad odor and you are not experiencing any other symptoms.

This extra fluid might require you to wear a panty liner, but it shouldn’t require you to visit a doctor.

In the first days of your menstrual cycle, you may experience thin, milky white vaginal discharge. Some people describe this discharge as an “egg white” consistency.

This thinner discharge is a sign that you’re preparing for ovulation. It’s completely typical. As you get closer to your period, the discharge may become thicker and more opaque.

This milky white discharge may also be a sign that you’re pregnant. In the early stages of pregnancy, some people produce a thin, milky white discharge. This discharge results from hormonal changes, which are the beginning stages of pregnancy.

The discharge can help clear away bacteria, germs, and dirt. It also helps form a mucus plug in the cervix. This keeps the cervix healthy and prevents the spread of bacteria into the uterus during pregnancy.

As long as the milky white discharge does not have an odor and there are no other symptoms, it’s most likely a sign of typical vaginal health.

However, if the color of the discharge develops a white-gray shade and a strong fishy odor, the discharge may be a sign of an infection.

Common symptoms of bacterial vaginosis include milky white and gray discharge with a strong, unpleasant odor.

When you’re not ovulating, your body will produce vaginal fluid that’s thick and sticky. This vaginal discharge will act as a barrier to prevent sperm from getting through your cervix and into your uterus.

While it’s not foolproof, the body’s natural defenses can also help prevent germs and bacteria from entering the cervix.

This can help you avoid an infection in the days just after your period when your vagina produces less fluid than it does during the other points of your cycle.

The increased fluid helps wash out any bacteria or germs that could pose a risk to your vagina’s overall health.

If you’re experiencing a thick, white discharge that can be described as clumpy or clotted, you may be experiencing discharge from a yeast infection.

The vagina does a wonderful job of maintaining the pH balance of an entire spectrum of bacteria and fungi that live in it. From time to time, this balance is upset, and certain bad bacteria or fungi are allowed to thrive.

That’s the case with a yeast infection. A fungus called Candida albicans can quickly blossom and develop into an infection.

People with yeast infections may experience:

  • thick discharge with a cottage cheese consistency
  • white discharge that may turn yellow or green
  • an unpleasant odor coming from the vagina
  • itching on the vulva or vagina
  • swelling or discoloration around the vulva
  • a burning sensation or pain during urination
  • pain during penetration

If you believe you have a yeast infection, over-the-counter treatment options are available. Prescription medications are used in more moderate or severe cases.

It’s a good idea to abstain from vaginal penetration while you’re being treated for the infection.

If you’ve experienced more than 4 yeast infections in a 1-year window, make an appointment with a healthcare professional. There may be an additional underlying factor that requires treatment.

Make an appointment with a healthcare professional if you also experience any of the following symptoms:

  • pain or discomfort
  • persistent itching
  • irregular bleeding
  • burning during urination
  • foul odor

As long as the discharge you’re experiencing does not also meet those criteria, the excess fluid coming out of your vagina is a sign of overall health. In other words, it’s a good thing.

Avoid upsetting the pH balance in your vagina by skipping soaps, scented washes, douches, or any other products that strip the vagina of its natural moisture and built-in defenses.

The vagina is designed to care for itself and prevent future infections. Healthy vaginal discharge plays an important role in this.

Vaginal discharge is healthy. It’s natural for it to change color and texture as you go through different parts of the menstrual cycle.

However, if you have pH imbalance, yeast infection, STI, or another condition, your vaginal discharge could be one of the main signs something is up.

If your discharge has an odor, is white-gray, or is more clumpy than usual, it could be time to consult a doctor.