What Does Perimenopause Discharge Look Like?

Like so many other parts of our bodies, vaginal discharge can be affected by perimenopause.

Perimenopause discharge may initially be very similar to what your discharge was like before you started the transition to menopause, but you may also notice changes over time—particularly in color and quantity.

Read on to find out what perimenopause discharge looks like, what changes can impact perimenopause discharge, and when to see a doctor for discharge.

What is vaginal discharge?

Vaginal discharge is a normal part of having a vagina. You’ve likely experienced discharge throughout your reproductive years. 

Your body makes vaginal discharge to keep the vagina healthy, maintain a normal pH balance, and remove dead cells and bacteria. Discharge also helps make sex more comfortable, and helps sperm fertilize eggs during ovulation.

Sometimes, unusual discharge can clue you in to an STD, STI, or other underlying infection or health condition—more on that later. 

What does healthy vaginal discharge look like?

Healthy vaginal discharge changes in appearance, consistency, and quantity throughout your menstrual cycle. These monthly changes may be more noticeable before perimenopause begins.

At different cycle stages, normal and healthy vaginal discharge is generally:

• Clear, white, or very slightly yellowish
• Sticky
• Mucus-like
• Slippery
• Thicker, or thinner and more watery
• Drier and pasty or chalky
• Odorless or mild-smelling, but not smelly

What does perimenopause discharge look like?

Healthy vaginal discharge during perimenopause may look much the same as healthy vaginal discharge from before perimenopause. 

Like before, perimenopause discharge may range from a lot to a little, clear to white, pasty to sticky and slippery, and more. 

You may also notice some changes in discharge during perimenopause, however. These changes aren’t usually cause for concern, although you can always talk to your doctor if you have questions about what’s happening in your body.

In addition to the above list, perimenopause vaginal discharge may sometimes be:

• More abundant
• Less abundant
• Slightly tinged with a brownish or light pinkish tint
• Thicker and slightly clumpy 

If you’re dealing with abundant amounts of discharge, you can try using panty liners or pads, wearing period underwear to help absorb leaks, or keeping an extra pair of underwear on hand to change when needed. 

As you progress through perimenopause and estrogen levels reach their lowest point, you’ll likely find that you have less and less discharge.

Discharge with a brownish or pinkish tint may contain a bit of blood. This isn’t necessarily cause for concern as it could just be related to normal spotting between periods, a particularly common part of perimenopause periods. 

However, talk to your doctor if you frequently have brown or pink discharge. Contact your doctor immediately if you pass blood clots in discharge.

Causes of perimenopause discharge

Various factors can make perimenopause discharge look different, including hormones, ovulation, and vaginal atrophy.

Perimenopause discharge and hormones

Hormones are often the cause behind changes in discharge during perimenopause.

Vaginal health and vaginal mucus, like so many other bodily functions, are partly regulated by hormones—estrogen, in particular. 

As estrogen and other hormones fluctuate and decline during perimenopause, changes to discharge production can occur behind the scenes. These changes can be part of what makes perimenopause discharge look different in quantity, color, or consistency.

Tracking your hormones in conjunction with your perimenopause symptoms can help you better understand how your hormone fluctuations and symptoms are related—and help you find the right treatment.

Perimenopause discharge and ovulation

Since you continue ovulating during perimenopause, albeit irregularly, you may also continue to experience an increase in vaginal discharge around ovulation. This is normal, just as it was normal before you started perimenopause.

During perimenopause ovulation, you may experience what’s called “egg white mucus,” which is triggered by the rise in estrogen that precedes ovulation.  

Egg white discharge typically appears three to four days before ovulation, and tends to be:

• More abundant
• Thicker
• Clear
• Stretchy
• Slippery

Since estrogen levels decline overall during perimenopause, however, the pre-ovulation rise will become less pronounced. That means that as perimenopause progresses, egg white mucus may become less noticeable.

Perimenopause discharge and vaginal atrophy

Low estrogen levels during perimenopause can cause vaginal atrophy, a condition that leads to thin vaginal walls and decreased mucus secretions.

This common perimenopause and menopause experience comes with symptoms like vaginal dryness, burning, and itching.

Vaginal atrophy doesn’t just lower discharge quantity, though. It can also impact what perimenopause discharge looks like.

For some people experiencing vaginal atrophy, perimenopause discharge may be:

• Thin
• Watery
• Yellowish
• Greyish

Contact your doctor if you notice this type of discharge or if you’re experiencing symptoms like dryness and discomfort. 

Your doctor can help you establish a vaginal atrophy treatment plan and find relief. Treatment includes over-the-counter and prescription vaginal moisturizers and lubricants, as well as hormone treatments like estrogen replacement therapy. 

When to see a doctor about perimenopause discharge

Sometimes, unusual perimenopause discharge could be a sign of an infection or other underlying health condition. 

Consider making an appointment with your doctor if you experience any of the following:

• Sudden, significant changes in discharge color, consistency, or odor
• Yellow, gray, or green discharge
• Foul-smelling discharge
• White and clumpy discharge, like cottage cheese
• Frequent spotting in discharge
• Blood clots in discharge
• Foamy or frothy discharge

How to prevent abnormal vaginal discharge

Vagina care is important at all ages! However, the likelihood of developing certain vaginal conditions increases as you move through perimenopause and menopause.

During these life stages, taking extra care of your vagina and vulva can help you avoid additional discomfort.

Vagina-friendly practices are also important if you’re prone to vaginal infections like yeast infections or bacterial vaginosis.

Here are a few tips to help prevent vaginal irritation and abnormal discharge during perimenopause and any other age:

• Avoid vaginal irritants, like scented soaps, creams, or lubricants
• Use gentle, unscented soaps, or just water, when you wash
• Don’t douche or put soap up the vagina
• Wash underwear in hot water with mild, gentle detergent
• Avoid strong-scented detergents, fabric softeners, bleach, and dryer sheets
• Wear loose-fitting underwear in natural fabrics, like cotton, and avoid synthetic fabrics
• Avoid tight clothing over the vulva and vagina
• Sleep without underwear, or with very loose-fitting clothing
• Use protection for sex outside of a monogamous relationship
• Keep pubic hair, particularly around the vagina, to help protect from bacteria

Perimenopause discharge: the bottom line

Vaginal discharge is a normal and healthy part of having a vagina. 

Healthy perimenopause discharge may be similar to pre-perimenopause discharge in color, texture, and odor. Over time, hormone fluctuations may bring changes to perimenopause discharge, making discharge decrease in quantity and vary in color as perimenopause progresses. 

Contact your doctor if you experience sudden and significant changes to discharge color, consistency, or smell, or if you have vaginal pain, itching, and burning. Your doctor can help you determine what’s happening and find relief.