What Does Leukorrhea Look Like? The Facts You Should Know

Pregnancy is one of the most memorable moments of one’s life. But it can also be a confusing time, especially when you suffer from a series of odd symptoms you can’t seem to explain! One of them would be vaginal discharge, commonly known as leukorrhea in pregnancy. But what does leukorrhea look like and how can you differ it from normal discharge?

It might be confusing, especially for women who just started experiencing the many symptoms of pregnancy. Read on as I explain what leukorrhea is and what to expect when you experience this discharge!

What is Leukorrhea?

During the first few weeks of pregnancy, you may have experienced a host of symptoms. One of them would be vaginal discharge, which is a common symptom. We call this discharge leukorrhea, which is a type of discharge you experience throughout your whole pregnancy (source).

Your experience leukorrhea because of the abrupt change of hormone levels, specifically estrogen. Through the increase of estrogen, you’ll be secreting discharge that comes from your cervical glands. This helps clean the area around your vaginal.

So if you are wondering if you should worry about leukorrhea, the answer is NO. Since it cleans out the vaginal area, it is entirely normal and a way your body remains healthy during pregnancy. You might feel a bit of discomfort, but there’s no cause for alarm when experiencing the discharge.

The amount of discharge will depend on your body. Some secrete only a little amount of discharge, while others have to wear panty liners all day to avoid the discharge from wetting their underwear.

​What Does Leukorrhea Look Like?

Now that you know what the discharge is, what does leukorrhea look like? Here are some signs that you have the normal (and healthy) discharge coming out of your vaginal area:

• Color : Leukorrhea produces a discharge that is milky or white in color. Sometimes it might be clear or of a slightly yellow or brown color.
• Consistency : Your discharge should have a thick and sticky consistency. Anything that is either too thick (a melted cheese consistency) should be checked on.
• Smell : There usually is no smell coming from the discharge. If there is, it would only be mild or slightly odorous.

You can also refer to this video about the differences between vaginal discharge during pregnancy and unhealthy discharge:

When Does Discharge During Pregnancy Become Bad?

Leukorrhea is healthy, but you’ll have to know how to differ the white discharge from something serious. Here are the signs that your discharge is unhealthy.

• Red Discharge : You might have a bit of red discharge after a medical exam or sexual intercourse. If it doesn’t stop within a few hours, then you’ll need to have it checked for vaginal bleeding.
• Odor : Leukorrhea has a mild smell. If your discharge has a sharp or fishy smell, then it might be a bacterial discharge that may end up endangering your baby.
• Color : Check the color of your discharge. If it is TOO yellow, greenish, or even brown, it might either be an infection or sexually transmitted disease. This may end up with preterm labor and other infections when delivering your baby.

If you happen to experience any of these types of symptoms or discharges, you’ll need to consult a doctor.

Treating Leukorrhea

If you do have leukorrhea, the discomfort may feel frustrating. Here are some tips to keep your vaginal area healthy (source):

• Wear panty liners or pads to avoid messes and keep yourself comfortable. These will help absorb the discharge.
• Wash with gentle soap after changing your pads or underwear to prevent unpleasant odor or unwanted bacteria.
• Do NOT wear douches or tampons, as this can keep the bacteria inside your vaginal area, making you more susceptible to infections.
• I recommend you to wash with antibacterial gentle soap and water rather than to use wipes or washes since this will change the pH balance of your vaginal and increase the risk of infection.
• Wear loose-fitting underwear made out of cotton for extra comfort.
• Avoid scented feminine washes or bubble baths, as this may irritate your vaginal and again, change its pH balance.

Here’s a video on some home treatments you can follow:

In a nutshell, always keep your vaginal healthy with regular cleaning and changing of pads when you have leukorrhea.

Conclusion

When it comes to pregnancy, there is a whirlwind of symptoms and experiences to expect. From the moment you begin to experience pregnancy symptoms, you may feel a bit of worry and anxiety. But not to worry, as a lot of these symptoms, such as leukorrhea, are no cause for alarm. All you need to do is sit back and do the best to relax for you and the baby!

I hope that this article answers all your queries about leukorrhea and what you can do to stay comfortable. If you have any questions or would like to add information to the question “What does leukorrhea look like?” Then comment down below. I would love to hear what you have to think.

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