Pinkish yellow discharge. Suspicious secretion during lactation

What to do if you find pink vaginal discharge? What could be the cause of the discharge and how dangerous can it be for the female body?

What types of pink discharge are there?

Pink vaginal discharge can have a different consistency: from liquid to thick (curd-like). They also differ in color and can be from pale pink to bright red. At the same time, the symptoms of discharge can also have a different character and proceed in different ways.

The shade of the discharge depends on how much blood and vaginal secretion mixes with each other. Vaginal discharge can be of the following colors:

pinkish, most often formed after menstrual periods;
pinkish-brown, may occur mid-cycle;
white or colorless with a pungent odor;
bloody (not menstrual), occur long before the onset of menstruation;
curdled, usually white or gray in color with a pungent unpleasant odor;
transparent, often reminiscent of urine discharge.

Any of these types of discharge may indicate the onset of some serious female disease or hormonal imbalance. The sooner you find out the cause of these diseases, the faster you can undergo treatment and prevent serious complications.

What causes pink vaginal discharge?

Pink discharge from the vagina is a consequence of changes in the functioning of the uterus. What changes occur in the uterus when you observe pink discharge? As the egg matures, the hormonal system changes and releases large amounts of estrogen.

This hormone begins to influence the cells of the uterus and prepares it to receive a fertilized egg. This happens because a certain amount of blood is secreted in the uterus, which mixes with vaginal secretions, as a result of which pink discharge can be observed in the middle of the cycle.

There are other reasons that can provoke such discharge. They are connected with the fact that as a form of contraception, women often install an intrauterine device, which can lead to bleeding due to growth into the uterus and subsequently, mixing with white vaginal secretion, give a similar shade.

Modern oral contraceptives can also have side effects in the form of pink discharge. Before using them, be sure to read the package insert so that this does not become a cause for concern later.

Surgery or a gynecological examination that may have damaged the uterus is another cause of pink discharge.

Natural factors that may cause such formations include residual blood in the uterus after menstruation. This is a normal natural process in which the uterus has not yet completely gotten rid of the remaining blood and releases it within 3-5 days.

However, if you find discharge that is dark in color and has an unpleasant, pungent odor, and is also accompanied by pain in the lower abdomen and lower back, you should immediately contact a gynecologist.

The cause of such phenomena may be untreated pathologies or the formation of malignant and benign tumors, such as cancer, cysts and others.

Various forms of viral and infectious diseases such as HIV, AIDS and others have similar symptoms. Therefore, it is imperative to insist on testing pink discharge.

During and after sex, a woman can observe similar phenomena. They indicate that there are microcracks in the vagina, which were caused by choosing the wrong position during sex or by using various objects that could cause physical injury.

Pink discharge from the vagina is associated with excessive intensity of sexual intercourse, as well as a discrepancy between the penis of the sexual partner and the partner’s vagina. This can lead to injury to the internal genital organs of the vagina, resulting in pink discharge.

In any case, if you feel discomfort during sex or notice bleeding after it, you need to reconsider your sexual behavior together with your partner. If you do not have such a conversation and measures are not taken, then the consequences can be very sad, even fatal.

A sexologist can help you deal with a number of sexual and psychological problems. The consultation you receive from him will help you avoid mistakes in sex in the future and learn to enjoy yourself in a different way.

What does discharge in the middle of the cycle mean?

Usually pinkish discharge occurs 2 weeks after menstruation during the period of ovulation. This indicates that the uterus is ready to accept a fertilized egg and you can begin to conceive. A woman receives such prompts from her body every month, and this can be regarded as a call for pregnancy.

Thus, nature itself took care of how to make the woman understand that her body is ready to receive a fetus. However, if the discharge is more red in color, this may be evidence that there is erosion in the cervix. At the first appearance of pink discharge, consult a doctor in a timely manner, and the problem can be solved with medication.

Sometimes women notice that their discharge does not look quite normal. If there are no painful symptoms, then their appearance is not necessarily a sign of pathology. All processes of the cycle are controlled by hormones. Any shift in hormonal levels affects the functioning of the reproductive organs, the condition of the glands and blood vessels. This is what causes the faint color to appear. If it is pink, it indicates the presence of blood impurities, which is alarming. If you have any doubts about the origin of such discharge, you should visit a doctor and undergo an examination.

In the middle of the cycle, the discharge is thinner and more abundant than immediately after menstruation. Thanks to this, the mature egg moves freely from the ovary to the fallopian tubes. At the same time, the counter movement of sperm is facilitated.

Ovulatory bleeding

If the leucorrhoea in the middle of the cycle on some day becomes pale pink in color, and then again becomes colorless, reminiscent of egg white, this indicates that ovulation has occurred. When the follicular membrane ruptures, droplets of blood come out of the damaged capillaries and mix with normal mucus, giving it a faint pink tint.

This process was even given a special name “ovulatory bleeding.” Not every woman notices it, since there is no sensation of pain or other discomfort. But for those who are planning a pregnancy, pink discharge in the middle of the cycle is a sign that the most favorable days for conception have arrived.

When pink leucorrhoea is not a pathology

Do not be alarmed if spotting occurs between periods in a woman taking hormonal birth control pills. This happens for 3-4 months until the body gets used to the new hormonal levels.

Sometimes such discharge occurs after sexual intercourse. A reddish color appears if mucus production is insufficient, the walls and blood vessels are easily injured. The presence of blood may be facilitated by a decrease in blood clotting.

Warning: If such discharge appears systematically after sexual intercourse, painful sensations occur, this may be a sign of endometriosis, diseases of the cervix. In this case, consultation with a gynecologist is necessary.

Video: Causes of spotting after sex

Pink discharge as a sign of pathology

The appearance of such discharge indicates the occurrence of a hormonal imbalance. At the same time, the woman also develops other menstrual disorders (irregular rhythm, scanty periods). The development of the endometrium of the uterus is disrupted, which leads to its premature detachment and bleeding between menstruation.

The appearance of pink discharge in the middle of the cycle is possible with the following pathologies:

Infectious diseases of the genital organs. A characteristic manifestation is a change in the consistency and smell of leucorrhoea. For example, with thrush, the discharge resembles cottage cheese and has a sour smell. With gonorrhea, pink discharge contains greenish mucus and smells rotten. Unlike normal ones, they cause pain and discomfort.
Inflammatory diseases in the cavity and cervix, in the external genitalia.
Pathological growth of the endometrium (hyperplasia, endometriosis), formation of polyps.
Diseases associated with damage to the mucous membrane of the cervix (erosion, dysplasia).
Ovarian cysts.
Benign and malignant tumors of the uterus (fibroids, cancer).

The sooner pathologies are detected, the more successful the treatment will be. There are usually other painful symptoms that force a woman to see a doctor and undergo an examination. The hormonal background and the composition of the vaginal microflora are examined. Ultrasound and other instrumental methods are used to detect tumors in the uterus and ovaries.

Video: Diseases that cause bleeding between periods

Probably every woman has at least once encountered pink discharge in the middle of the menstrual cycle. Some women experience this phenomenon almost every month, while for other women pink discharge is not frequent. However, do not be alarmed - the appearance of pink discharge in the middle of the cycle is most often a variant of the norm, if it is not accompanied by other symptoms.

It is important for women to note that healthy pink discharge appears approximately two weeks before the next period - right around the time of ovulation. At the same time, the name “pink” discharge is in most cases arbitrary - such discharge can be either slightly pink or bright red, since the composition of the discharge is a small amount of blood and transparent vaginal secretion, which increases during ovulation. Depending on the amount of secretion and blood, the color of the discharge is formed.

Such discharge among gynecologists is often called ovulation, since it can be used to judge the readiness of the female body to accept a fertilized egg. Women who have such discharge consistently every month can try to get pregnant on these days - ovulation discharge will be a signal for the optimal time of fertilization.

Main causes of discharge

What happens in the uterus and why does such discharge appear? During egg maturation, the hormonal system changes significantly as estrogen levels increase. This hormone affects the lining of the uterus, which must be ready to receive a fertilized egg if fertilization occurs. Such changes lead to minor bleeding, which, together with vaginal secretions, take the form of pink discharge.

However, there are other reasons that can cause pink discharge. These include the presence of an intrauterine device, which can also change hormonal levels. It is worth noting that even the use of oral contraceptives, which some women consider safer than the IUD, also leads to pink discharge. These reasons are not a cause for concern, since they are completely justified.

There is no need to worry if there were gynecological manipulations during this period - if there is slight damage to the mucous membrane of the vagina or cervix, pink discharge may also occur. Also, the woman herself, with careless movements while taking a shower, can damage the delicate mucous membrane, which can cause discharge on her underwear.

Another thing is discharge, accompanied by pain in the abdomen and lower back, admixtures of pus, and a dirty pink color. The cause of such discharge may be genital tract infections that are not treated or have not been treated at all. Associated negative sensations should alert a woman and become a reason to contact an antenatal clinic.

Another reason for discharge is cervical erosion, but the pink color here may contain yellowish-brown impurities, which indicates a pathological process. In addition, such discharge appears not only in the middle of the cycle.

Despite the fact that pink discharge is most often a variant of the norm, it is better if the woman undergoes an examination, since such discharge can also be a symptom of more serious diseases - uterine fibroids, polyps or malignant neoplasms.

Every girl should know the characteristics of the female body. Otherwise, sooner or later his incomprehensible reaction to certain stimuli may frighten him. For example, it is important to know under what circumstances red discharge appears, but not menstruation. A fairly common phenomenon, but it still scares many. So what could cause this phenomenon? When should you sound the alarm?

After all, menstruation

The female body is an eternal mystery, often even for doctors. Therefore, it is not so easy to predict the cause of vaginal bleeding. We will have to take into account all the features and nuances, changes that have occurred in the patient’s life.

As practice shows, red discharge before the onset of menstruation, especially if it does not cause pain, is not dangerous. Most likely, this is just a shift in the menstrual cycle. The reason for this may be hormonal levels. In any case, this should not cause concern. So you don’t have to think that your period comes like clockwork. Even if previously critical days occurred strictly at a certain time, no one is immune from cycle shifts. Remember - the discharge may not be copious in the first few days, it may be spotty.

Stress

The following scenario occurs often, but is not given much importance. Do you have red vaginal discharge but not your period? Don't rush to panic. After all, if this phenomenon does not bring you any particular discomfort, much less pain, there is no reason to fear. Why?

Red discharge after menstruation (and before it) is a clear sign of stress in the body. Flights, strong emotional stress (even with positive emotions) - all this can affect your menstrual cycle and condition in general. Usually the discharge due to stress is not strong, without mucus or any other special signs. After the situation normalizes, everything returns to normal.

By the way, overwork can also be attributed here. In order for the discharge to stop (at some point it can be confused with menstruation), you just need to relax and rest. All these are not reasons to visit a doctor. The maximum that you will be prescribed is antidepressants. And a good rest, complete isolation from stress. After all, this is how the female body exhibits a protective reaction.

Erosion

Red discharge, but not menstruation, is another sign that you have some kind of disease. Just don’t rush to see a doctor; this is not necessary in all cases. Often the cause of this phenomenon is cervical erosion. It may bleed from time to time. As a result, you may start having red discharge any day.

As practice shows, they are not abundant, smearing, without impurities and mucus. May continue until menstruation. But in some cases they go away on their own. If you suspect erosion, it is best to consult a doctor. It will definitely help you decide whether you have this disease or not. If necessary, you can cauterize the erosion, for example, with radio waves. After treatment, the red discharge, but not your period, will stop.

Voltage

As practice shows, red colors can appear for many reasons. And you can predict them without the help of doctors. Therefore, you should not become hysterical if you notice these changes in your body.

Red (or after) may indicate broken capillaries. This phenomenon is usually observed if a woman strains a lot. That is why hard physical work is not recommended for the fair half of society.

As in all previous cases, the discharge is spotting and does not cause any particular discomfort or pain. You should only go to the doctor if the deviation is accompanied by pain or too much blood. Just limit physical activity and rest. On average, it takes several weeks for the body to recover. Therefore, do not think that one day of rest is enough for the discharge to go away.

Damage

During menstruation, this is a sign of mechanical damage to the vagina. This phenomenon may be accompanied by some pain. For example, nagging pain in the lower abdomen or immediate discomfort inside the vagina.

Usually this problem worries girls after sexual intercourse (immediately or after some time). Lack of lubrication, too fast a pace, "rigidity" of the process - all this can damage the sensitive vagina. As a result, bloody discharge appears.

If they do not go away for several days, and are also accompanied by discomfort, it is recommended to consult a doctor. The same should be done when blood is released profusely. The doctor will tell you for sure whether there are more serious problems. If you do not have any diseases, then mechanical damage is taking place. You will have to be patient and wait for the wounds to heal. Continue to be more careful during sexual intercourse.

Conception

Do you have red discharge after your period after a week or two? Remember what kind of sexual intercourse you had. Most likely this is conception. It's no secret that approximately in the middle of the cycle (which is about 7 days after the end of menstruation on average) ovulation occurs - a favorable day for conceiving a child. After fertilization, the egg must attach to the woman’s body in order to develop further. Just this very attachment may be accompanied by bloody discharge.

Although, as practice shows, conception usually occurs without a trace. But if you notice red-brown discharge (it’s not like that during menstruation), and you also had unprotected intercourse, it is quite possible that in another week or two your period will not come, and the pregnancy test will be positive. So keep that in mind. Usually, discharge during conception lasts for several hours and does not cause any pain or discomfort.

Miscarriage

The discharge is red, but not menstrual, accompanied by severe and sharp pain, abundant and sudden, and may be a consequence of a miscarriage. This is exactly how natural termination of pregnancy manifests itself at short notice.

Often during miscarriages you can find some mucus in the discharge. In any case, if you are pregnant, and suddenly there is blood coming from your vagina, there is every reason to panic. Try to remain calm and just go to see your doctor as soon as possible. It is advisable to call an ambulance.

Intervention

Sometimes you can easily guess why blood comes out of the vagina. The reason for this may be the most common surgical intervention. Various operations, abortions and even the use of an intrauterine device - all this can cause bleeding.

Usually this kind of phenomenon resembles menstruation. And the bleeding continues for about 5 days. Gradually it becomes less abundant and stops. There is no reason to panic. Just be prepared that after surgery, bloody masses may begin to come out of the vagina. There is also some discomfort. But pain is usually not observed in this case.

Childbirth

During a normal pregnancy, there is usually no red discharge. The maximum is pink, and then only at the very beginning of the process, when the fertilized egg is attached. Only towards the end of pregnancy you may start to bleed from the vagina.

As practice shows, red discharge, but not menstruation, in the last stages of an “interesting situation” most often turns out to be a sign of the onset of labor. Blood can usually be seen along with mucus. Don't be alarmed, this is how it should be. Your water may also break. In principle, the passage of the mucus plug can also be accompanied by blood from the vagina.

If, after a certain period of time after detecting the discharge, you feel cramping pain, call your loved ones or an ambulance - you have begun labor. A completely normal and natural phenomenon. It shouldn't cause you to panic.

After childbirth

Childbirth is a very difficult process in itself. Therefore, it is worth paying attention to the fact that after them you may have dark red discharge. They are not like that during menstruation. Although light red blood also occurs in some cases. There is no reason to panic - it's lochia. After labor, spotting will continue to haunt the young mother for some time. About a month and a half, or even 2. It all depends on how quickly your body recovers from labor.

In the first 4-5 days, blood is released profusely. Therefore, it is recommended to use special ones. But after (closer to discharge from the hospital) the amount of discharge decreases. Over time, they become smearing and disappear.

Diseases

The last point worth noting is whether you have any diseases, not necessarily gynecological ones. If you notice red discharge, but not menstruation, which brings discomfort or lasts for a suspiciously long time, you should see a doctor. Don't hesitate!

Try to undergo a comprehensive examination and find out what is the cause of the problem. Tumors, polyps, infections, and even thyroid disease can cause bloody vaginal discharge. Once you find out the cause of the disease, eliminate it. Do you have red discharge instead of your period? Now it’s clear what the problem might be. In any case, consulting a doctor will not hurt.

The volume, color and consistency of women’s vaginal secretions depend on the individual characteristics of the body, the moment of the menstrual cycle, and the psychological state of the woman. Typically, vaginal secretions are colorless or slightly whitish.

There may also be pink discharge from the genitals, characterized by varying color intensities. This phenomenon is observed in 65% of the fair sex. The symptom is explained by a number of physiological processes or ongoing diseases.

Types of secretion and reasons for its appearance

Vaginal discharge is called “pink” by convention. They can be reddish or yellowish white, as well as bright red. The specific color is explained by the different concentrations of the components included in the secretion: blood and transparent mucus, the amount of which increases at the time of ovulation.

Most often, women encounter the following types of vaginal discharge:

brown during ovulation or immediately after menstruation;
whitish;
bloody;
curdled;
colorless;

Attention! The sudden appearance of any type of secretion is a reason to contact a specialist.

Causes of discharge

Pink discharge in women can be caused by various reasons. The provocateur of the phenomenon can be of both physiological and pathological nature, which explains the need to visit a doctor.

The table below presents the most common phenomena that can provoke pink vaginal discharge:

Factor	Explanation
Hormonal drugs and oral contraceptives.	The characteristic mucous discharge in this case is one of the side effects of taking the drugs. This phenomenon is called “spotting”.
Pregnancy.	In the early stages of an “interesting situation,” the symptom indicates the course of hormonal changes in the woman’s body.
Allergic reaction.	Pink discharge sometimes appears due to allergies to medications, intimate hygiene products, and underwear made of synthetic material. Typically, girls who have not reached reproductive age encounter this phenomenon.
Recovery period.	Unusual discharge appears on the pad as a result of gynecological and surgical procedures (the integrity of the uterine and vaginal tissues is compromised). Most often, such symptoms lead to abortion, curettage, cleaning, and biopsy.
Injury.	Hard sex and a small amount of lubricant released during intimacy can lead to microtraumas of the vaginal mucosa.
Infection.	In the presence of yellow- or white-pink discharge with a pungent odor, a feeling of itching and burning in the genital area, pain during urination, we are talking about the possibility of developing an infectious disease.
Menopause.	If the symptom occurs before menopause, the phenomenon is considered normal. If a specific secretion appears after menopause, you should consult a doctor as soon as possible. The presence of a tumor in the tissues of the woman’s genital organs is possible.
Installed intrauterine device.	This symptom is classified as acceptable and when using vaginal rings and specialized patches, the blood vessels of the mucous membrane can be damaged.
Ovulation has occurred.	Pink ones resemble egg whites in structure and appearance. The symptoms are complemented by nagging pain in the lower abdomen; the blood contains a large percentage of progesterone.

Diseases that cause bleeding

Among the most common ailments that can cause the appearance of unusual vaginal secretions:

cervical polyps;
hyperplasia;
erosion.

What are polyps? We are talking about a type of benign formations formed from epithelial tissues. From a medical point of view, polyps appear as a result of hormonal imbalance, incorrect functioning of the immune system, and nervous stress. The presence of formations can be “indicated” by light pink mucous discharge after sexual intercourse.

Erosion becomes a consequence of rough sex and abortion. It is possible that the pathology may develop after childbirth, as well as as a result of a sexually transmitted infection. The essence of the disease is the desquamation of a certain area of the epithelium, in its place inflammation appears.

Hyperplasia is a benign pathology accompanied by the proliferation of uterine tissue. The process ends with an increase in the size of the cervix. The onset of the disease is typical during pregnancy, menopause and the use of combined contraceptives. If hyperplasia produces a large amount of mucus with blood impurities, the development of a malignant formation cannot be ruled out.

Pink discharge at different periods of the cycle

During the menstrual cycle, the level of hormones in a woman’s body changes. They are responsible for the duration of the cycle, the course of menstruation and the woman’s condition at different periods of the month.

Characteristic discharge on the eve of menstruation

Pinkish mucus may be discharged from the vagina a couple of days before the start of your period. Usually this symptom is a harbinger of “red days of the calendar”, since the endometrial capillaries during this period are very vulnerable and are ready to burst with minimal pressure. The discharge is slightly colored and does not have a strong odor. A woman experiences standard symptoms of PMS: dizziness, mood swings, weakness, weight gain. This clinical picture is considered normal.

In a healthy woman, such mucus from the vagina is not mixed with blood, there is no pus in it, it is not abundant, and does not stand out against the background of burning, itching of the external genitalia. Menstrual days are also normal.

Pinkish secretion 7-8 days before the start of menstruation is an ambiguous option. This can be either normal or a symptom of a developing pathology.

Ichor in the middle of the cycle

The middle of the cycle is the time of ovulation; female hormonal levels during this period reach their maximum point. The endometrium, under the influence of estrogen, awaits the moment of implantation of a mature egg, which moves towards the uterus, emerging from the follicle. This process may be accompanied by rupture of the latter - pink-brown mucous discharge appears.

In connection with the above fact, at the time of ovulation (relatively on the 14th day after the start of menstruation), pink spotting is quite normal. This “mini-menstruation” can last for 1-2 days. A similar phenomenon is observed in 28% of the female population. Thus, ovulation warns of its arrival - the woman is prepared for conception.

If such a clinical picture continues for 8-9 days or more, pale pink discharge turns into bloody smear and pulls in the lower abdomen, we can already talk about the possible development of uterine fibroids.

Discharge after menstruation

In some cases, pink discharge bothers a woman at the end of her menstrual cycle. It is possible that dark pink or brown mucus may be discharged from the vagina a week after your period. Both cases are not pathological if they are not accompanied by pain and a pungent odor.

Some representatives of the fair sex notice traces of a strange secretion of a soft pink color on the pad, sometimes the symptom is supplemented by itching of the external genitalia. Signs indicate the development of an inflammatory process or the course of an infection. The intensity of symptoms in this case increases just in the postmenstrual period.

Pink mucus instead of periods

Why is there pink discharge instead of menstrual blood? In this case, the woman experiences a hormonal imbalance, which can be caused by:

use of oral contraceptives;
dysfunction of the appendages;
taking antibiotics;
inflammatory diseases of the ovaries.

Under such circumstances, the process of normal growth of the endometrium is disrupted or its complete rejection occurs. When this is observed at the beginning of taking birth control pills, there is no cause for concern: after 2-3 months the cycle will be restored.

In all other cases, characteristic mucus from the vagina instead of menstruation is a symptom of a pathological condition of the female body.

Pink vaginal secretion during pregnancy

The first three months of pregnancy may be accompanied by a similar symptom in most expectant mothers. What could it be? The phenomenon indicates a successful process of implantation of the egg into the uterine wall. About 80% of pregnant women, worried about this phenomenon, successfully carry and give birth to a healthy child.

However, this fact is not a reason to ignore a recurring symptom. Conditionally “pink” discharge during gestation may indicate an inflammatory process occurring in the body, which can lead to spontaneous abortion.

Bright red discharge or brown secretions often signal clotted blood, which the female body is gradually pushing out. Most often, the cause of this is a minor hematoma. In this case, only a doctor can help the expectant mother. Most likely, the specialist will prescribe the woman weak hormonal medications or vitamin complexes.

Sometimes pinkish mucus appears in small quantities in a pregnant woman just at the time when the woman should have her period. This phenomenon is hormonal in nature and does not cause concern to doctors. This symptom can be observed against the background of noticeable pain in the lower peritoneum and lower back.

Suspicious secretion during lactation

Typically, a woman does not experience menstruation during breastfeeding. This fact is explained by the action of the hormone prolactin, which is produced during lactation. It somewhat suppresses the activity of the appendages. Consequently, the follicle does not mature and the egg is not able to develop.

Attention! The described process differs in its individual nature, so no specialist is able to accurately guide a woman regarding the timing of menstruation.

If for some reason the new mother does not produce milk, at the end of the postpartum period a pink vaginal secretion appears, followed by full menstruation.

Typically, the symptom is observed approximately six months after the birth of the child (at the time of the start of complementary feeding). If breast milk is not enough, the child is transferred to mixed feeding - menstruation appears less than 3-4 months after birth.

A young mother should only be concerned if there is a long absence of menstrual bleeding after the end of the breastfeeding period. For example, if menstruation does not start in the 3rd month after the end of lactation. Instead, the patient observes pinkish mucus on the pad and writhes with abdominal pain. This may be a consequence of the development of fibroids, an inflammatory process in the ovaries.

Thus, vaginal discharge of a conventionally “pink” color can be caused both by natural processes in a woman’s body and by developing pathologies. The key point in assessing the severity of the situation is the presence or absence of additional alarming symptoms, the abundance and composition of secretion. It is also necessary to draw conclusions regarding the secreted mucus based on the period of the menstrual cycle and the general condition of the woman. In any case, a sudden change in the nature of the vaginal secretion is a reason for an immediate visit to the gynecologist.