Vaginal discharge is a normal, healthy part of having a menstrual cycle, even if it’s often misunderstood or not talked about much at all.  Most people notice it at some point, wonder silently if what they’re seeing is “normal,” and move on. The truth is, in most cases, it is normal. And how it changes throughout the month? That’s often your hormones at work.

Understanding how your discharge shifts across your cycle can help you stay more in tune with your body. It can even clue you into when you're ovulating or whether something feels slightly off.

What Does Discharge Actually Do?

Discharge isn’t random, it’s your body’s natural way of keeping things balanced. It helps clean the vagina, keeps pH levels in check, and protects against infections. What it looks or feels like can vary quite a bit depending on the time of the month, largely influenced by two main hormones: oestrogen and progesterone.

Right After Your Period: The "Dry" Phase

Once your period ends, you might notice that things feel drier for a few days. There’s usually very little discharge at this stage. That’s because hormone levels are low, and your body hasn’t ramped up mucus production just yet. Think of it as a short reset before the next phase begins.

Leading Up to Ovulation: Slippery, Stretchy Mucus

As oestrogen rises in the lead-up to ovulation, your body starts producing more cervical mucus. Discharge might become creamy at first, and then turn clear, stretchy, and slippery like egg whites. This change helps sperm travel more easily, which is nature’s way of boosting fertility.

If you’ve ever tracked ovulation, you probably recognise this phase. It’s one of the easiest to spot.

After Ovulation: Things Thicken Up

Once ovulation passes, progesterone becomes the dominant hormone. Discharge may decrease or become thicker and stickier, sometimes with a slight yellow tint. This is completely normal unless it comes with an unusual smell or discomfort.

This is also the time when PMS might start kicking in. Mood changes, bloating, and other symptoms can show up here, along with changes in your discharge.

Right Before Your Period: A Shift or a Slowdown

In the days just before your period, discharge can go one of two ways: it might thicken a bit or seem to dry up again. Some people notice a cloudy or white consistency. These shifts reflect the natural drop in hormones as the body prepares to start a new cycle.

Why It Helps to Notice These Changes

Your discharge is a quiet but consistent messenger. It responds to hormonal changes, stress, diet, exercise, and more. Noticing patterns over time can help you better understand your body and sometimes even spot when something is off.

By noticing your own patterns, you can better understand your cycle, and more easily recognise when something’s out of sync. A sudden change in colour, texture, or smell could simply be a short-term reaction, but if it persists or comes with discomfort, it’s worth checking in.

When Should You Check In With a Doctor?

Most discharge is nothing to worry about. But here are some signs that something might need a closer look:

• A strong or unpleasant odour that wasn’t there before
• Burning, itching, or irritation
• Green, grey, or frothy discharge
• Pain during sex or urination

Trust your instincts. If something feels off, it’s always okay to seek advice.

Your Body Has a Pattern

Learning your own discharge pattern can be empowering. It may not be something we were taught in health class, but it’s real, useful information about your body’s rhythm. Whether you’re trying to track ovulation, manage your cycle, or just better understand your body, this is one way to do it.

And if you ever notice something out of the ordinary, like spotting a few days after your period ends, or unexpected mid-cycle bleeding, it might be hormonal, but it’s still worth noting. Especially if it happens regularly or comes with other symptoms.

Your body speaks in subtle ways. Discharge is one of them. Paying attention is a simple, empowering way to stay informed, feel confident, and support your health, cycle after cycle.