Of course, it is no secret that vaginal discharge occurs during menstruation. But apart from that, discharge can also occur before your period. As a rule, this is white discharge. What causes this and how you can best protect yourself in everyday life is explained below.
Discharge before your period - an overview of the most important facts
- White discharge does not only occur when you are pregnant, it is also normal before your period.
- The white to yellowish discharge is a discharge of dead cells from the vagina.
- Just before your period starts, the discharge usually turns brown and then during menstruation it is known to be red.
- The discharge may occasionally occur at another time during the female cycle.
- A girl's first period often resembles white discharge rather than a proper menstrual period.
- If the discharge is accompanied by discomfort such as itching or burning, it is a good idea to talk to your gynaecologist.
- Weekiss period panties are ideal to reliably protect you from white discharge before your period.
Appearance and nature of white discharge before your period
The discharge increases and thickens a few days before your period starts. It does not always have to be white. It is quite possible for it to take on a yellowish colour. This is perfectly normal and is no cause for alarm. Your body is simply excreting dead cells from your vagina and preparing for your period.
In addition, the secretion that comes out of your vagina as a yellowish or white discharge before your period also has the task of blocking sperm. This is because this phase of your menstrual cycle is not about fertilising your eggs, but about preparing your body to start a new cycle.
Changes in white discharge before your period
When your period is approaching, the discharge from your vagina usually changes colour. Instead of white, it is likely to be brown. If this is the case for you, you don't have to worry. It is usually simply old blood that has turned brown due to oxidation, which your body now rejects along with cervical mucus.
When menstruation actually starts, the colour changes again and the discharge should now be bright red. As the period continues, the blood usually becomes darker and takes on a strong red to dark red colour.
How long can white discharge occur before the period?
In many cases, white discharge occurs shortly before your period. It is therefore a sign that your next menstruation is imminent. However, this is not always the case. White discharge can occur not only before your period, but throughout your entire cycle. Even during menstruation, white discharge mixed with a small amount of blood can sometimes occur.
In this case, it is also called spotting. Most of the reasons for this are completely harmless, so you don't usually have to worry about it. As long as you feel fine and don't notice any other abnormalities, you can usually relax.
Brown discharge after your period
Sometimes you may experience brown discharge after your period, which is typical of the time just before your period. In this case, it is most likely oxidised mucous membrane residues from your uterus that are only now being excreted with some delay. As long as there are no other abnormalities, such as a burning sensation, you usually don't have to worry about this.
White discharge during the first period
The first period is an exciting experience for every girl, which is often associated with some uncertainty. Regardless of this, it usually takes quite a while until regularity is established with regard to the course of the cycle and fluctuations in the strength of the bleeding and the length of the cycle are absent.
In addition, it is not uncommon for the first menstruation to resemble the white discharge before the period rather than a real menstrual period, and this can also lead to the brownish discolouration just described. All of this is normal. Your body simply needs some time to adjust. If you are unsure about your cycle, don't hesitate to ask your mother or your gynaecologist any questions you may have.
Recognising problems with white discharge before your period
White, yellowish or brown discharge before your period is perfectly normal in most cases. Sometimes, however, unexpected discharge can be a sign of a health problem. For example, if you feel a burning or itching sensation in your vagina, if the discharge smells very unpleasant or if sexual intercourse causes you pain.
If this applies to you, we recommend that you contact your gynaecologist as soon as possible. It is possible that you have a bacterial infection, a sexually transmitted disease or a uterine abnormality. Your gynaecologist can examine you and take appropriate treatment if necessary.
How can you protect yourself if you have white discharge before your period?
White discharge before your period is perfectly normal and nothing to be ashamed of. Nevertheless, it is understandable that you are uncomfortable with the discharge and therefore want to protect yourself with a suitable hygiene product. However, you should avoid using tampons to protect your vaginal flora.
Instead, we recommend that you use comfortable and environmentally friendly period panties. As white discharge before your period is usually quite weak, a model with low absorbency is usually enough to give you a pleasantly dry and safe feeling. If you have heavy white discharge before your period, simply use a model that can absorb more fluid.
You can wear the period panties like regular panties and wash them in the washing machine so you can use them again and again. Just have a look in our shop. You'll find a wide range of different models to choose from so you can find the period underwear that suits you.
