What Causes Watery Period Blood?
It's common for the consistency of period blood to vary throughout your menstrual cycle. You may notice your flow is heavier and thicker at the start of your period, and lighter and more watery toward the end. But what causes that watery discharge as your period tapers off?
There are a few reasons why your menstrual blood can become thinner and appear more watery in color and texture:
Hormone Changes
Your hormones fluctuate throughout your menstrual cycle, causing changes in the lining of the uterus. More blood is shed when estrogen levels first start to drop and the uterine lining begins breaking down. As progesterone rises later in your cycle, less blood is shed, making the flow lighter and waterier.
Mixing with Cervical Fluid
Toward the end of your period as bleeding slows, blood mixes with more naturally watery cervical mucus. This cervical fluid helps dilute the blood, giving it a thinner, more watery consistency.
Old Blood
At the very end of menstruation, you may pass old blood that has been sitting in the uterus for a while. This older blood often appears brown or rust-colored and can have a thinner, more watery texture.
When Watery Discharge Isn't Normal
While some watery discharge is normal during your period, certain symptoms could indicate an underlying condition that requires medical attention:
Extremely Heavy Flow
If your menstrual flow ever becomes so heavy that you need to change pads or tampons more often than every 1-2 hours, it could signify a problem. Extremely heavy periods that contain a large amount of watery, bright red blood may point to issues like:
- Uterine fibroids - noncancerous growths in the uterus that can cause heavy bleeding
- Adenomyosis - a condition where the uterine lining grows into the muscular walls of the uterus
- Miscarriage - heavy, watery blood with clots may indicate a miscarriage
- Hormone imbalance - thyroid disorders or ovarian cysts can cause abnormal bleeding
See your doctor right away if you experience a sudden onset of extremely heavy menstrual bleeding.
Bleeding Between Periods
Watery, red vaginal discharge at times other than your expected menstrual cycle can also be a sign of trouble. Some potential causes of abnormal bleeding include:
- Hormone imbalance
- Infection like chlamydia or gonorrhea
- Changes in birth control method
- Polyps or fibroids in the uterus
- Cervical cancer
Bleeding between periods always warrants a trip to the doctor for evaluation.
Foul Smell
Watery discharge that has a foul, fishy odor, especially with other symptoms like itching, burning, or gray/green color, is not normal. It may indicate:
- Bacterial vaginosis
- Chlamydia
- Gonorrhea
- Trichomoniasis
See your gynecologist or visit a clinic to be tested and treated if your watery discharge has an abnormal smell.
When Watery Discharge is Normal
In many cases, watery discharge during your period doesn't necessarily indicate a problem. As long as it occurs for just a day or two at the very end of menstruation, doesn't have a strange color or smell, and isn't accompanied by other symptoms like itching or pain, it is often normal.
Here are some instances when watery menstrual blood is nothing to be concerned about:
Towards the End of Your Period
It’s very common for discharge to become lighter and more watery during the last 1-2 days of your period. This happens as the flow naturally decreases and blood mixes with more cervical mucus.
During Perimenopause
As women approach menopause, hormonal fluctuations can change menstrual patterns. You may experience more watery discharge as periods become further apart but bleed for longer.
While Breastfeeding
Some women experience lighter, more watery periods while breastfeeding due to hormone changes. As long as you don't have other symptoms, this variation is normal.
With an IUD
Intrauterine devices (IUDs) like Mirena impact the uterine lining, which can sometimes lead to watery discharge during periods.
During Ovulation
It’s normal to have slippery, watery discharge for a few days around the time of ovulation as estrogen levels peak. This cervical mucus helps sperm travel to the egg.
When to Seek Medical Care
Schedule an appointment with your doctor if watery menstrual discharge is accompanied by symptoms like:
- Bleeding for longer than 7 days
- Bleeding more often than every 21 days
- Bleeding so much that you soak a pad or tampon every hour or less
- Cramping or pelvic pain
- Foul-smelling discharge
- Itching, burning, or irritation
- Bleeding between periods or after menopause
It’s always a good idea to discuss any concerns about your menstrual blood with a physician. They can check for any underlying problems and provide peace of mind that everything is normal.
Treatments for Abnormal Watery Discharge
If a medical condition is contributing to abnormal watery discharge, treatments may include:
Medication
Birth control pills or progesterone therapy can help regulate hormonal imbalances leading to abnormal bleeding. Antibiotics treat STDs like chlamydia and gonorrhea that cause watery discharge.
Surgery
Endometrial ablation destroys the uterine lining to control heavy flows. Removal of uterine fibroids or polyps is another surgical treatment for heavy periods.
Natural Remedies
Some women find supplements like turmeric or omega-3s help stabilize hormones and lighten heavy flows. Staying hydrated and reducing stress can also help regulate menstrual cycles.
When to See a Doctor
Schedule an appointment with your gynecologist or women’s health nurse practitioner if abnormal watery discharge during your period occurs along with other symptoms like:
- Bleeding more heavily than normal
- Bleeding before age 9 or after menopause
- Bleeding or spotting between periods
- Period lasting longer than 7 days
- Menstrual cycles less than 21 days apart
- Foul-smelling discharge
- Itching, burning, or pain
It’s always a good idea to discuss any concerns about your menstrual blood with a physician. They can check for any underlying problems and provide peace of mind that everything is normal.
Questions to Ask Your Doctor
When visiting your doctor about watery menstrual discharge, questions to ask include:
- What might be causing my period blood to be watery?
- Are my symptoms indicative of a hormone imbalance or other medical condition?
- Do I need any tests to determine the cause?
- What treatment options do you recommend for regulating my cycles and discharge?
- If an underlying condition is found, how can it be managed?
- How often should I see you to monitor improvements?
- What at-home care do you suggest in the meantime?
Open, honest communication with your doctor can help identify issues leading to watery discharge and get the care needed to resolve abnormal bleeding.
When Watery Discharge May Indicate Pregnancy
If you have a late or missed period along with watery discharge, pregnancy is a possibility. During early pregnancy, discharge can change to a thin, milky or watery consistency due to the hormones progesterone and estrogen rising.
Other pregnancy symptoms that may accompany watery discharge include:
- Tender or swollen breasts
- Nausea
- Fatigue
- Food cravings or aversions
- Frequent urination
- Mood changes
Take a home pregnancy test or see your doctor for bloodwork to find out for sure if you are pregnant. Watery discharge along with a missed period can be one early sign of pregnancy.
Improving Women's Health
Understanding what’s normal versus abnormal when it comes to menstrual cycles empowers women to take charge of their reproductive health. While some watery discharge is expected, excessive bleeding or other symptoms need proper medical care.
More open dialogue and education around periods allows women to advocate for their own wellbeing. Increased access to women’s health services can also improve diagnosis and treatment of conditions like endometriosis or uterine fibroids that may lead to abnormal bleeding.
With proper support and resources, women can identify potential issues early and seek solutions for optimizing their menstrual health.
FAQs
Is it normal to have watery discharge during your period?
It's very common and usually normal to have watery, light flow at the beginning and end of your period. This can occur as hormone levels change and blood mixes with cervical mucus.
What causes watery discharge instead of blood?
Hormone fluctuations, diluting with cervical fluid, and passing old blood can all give menstrual discharge a thinner, waterier texture.
When should you worry about watery discharge?
See your doctor if you have heavy, watery periods or discharge with clots, strange odor, itching/pain, or bleeding between periods. This may indicate an underlying problem.
Can watery discharge be a sign of pregnancy?
Increased thin, watery discharge along with a missed period can potentially be an early sign of pregnancy. Take a pregnancy test to confirm.
How is abnormal watery discharge treated?
Treatment depends on the cause but may include medication, surgery like endometrial ablation, natural remedies, and following your doctor's recommendations.
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