Vaginal discharge can offer women a glimpse into their health, based on color, texture, and odor. Changes in the consistency of discharge during different parts of the menstrual cycle are usually normal, but can also indicate an infection.
Thick white discharge after sex may be due to sexual arousal, which can cause cervical mucus or semen to be released. However, it could also be caused by a yeast infection.
What is it?
The white discharge you get during and after sex is a combination of different fluids. It might be cervical mucus (in women) or penile fluid (in men). Both types of discharge clean and lubricate the body for sexual penetration. They also neutralize leftover acidity so sperm can pass easily. They’re usually clear to milky white and are normal.
The color and consistency of your discharge changes throughout the month and varies according to where you are in your menstrual cycle or pregnancy. For instance, if you’re close to ovulation, your discharge will be stretchy and clear, similar to egg whites, due to high levels of estrogen.
Both women and men can have white discharge during sex, as long as it’s not accompanied by pain or soreness. It’s common for a woman’s vaginal discharge to be thicker and milkier during sexual arousal. This is a good sign and nothing to worry about.
For men, a white discharge after sex is called pre-cum and contains a small amount of semen. It’s released in the early stages of sexual arousal to help provide adequate lubrication during penetration. Men should know that there’s a 4% chance of getting pregnant from this lubrication, so it’s important to use condoms. Men can also have a white discharge from their penis called smegma, which is made up of skin cells, oils, and other fluids.
Is it normal?
The quantity, colour, and odour of your discharge can vary depending on the phase of your menstrual cycle, sexual activity, or pregnancy. However, if you notice a change in the consistency or colour of your discharge or it is accompanied by symptoms like itching and burning, it could be an infection and you should consult a gynecologist.
Milky white vaginal discharge is normal if you are ovulating or have just ovulated and it can also be a sign that you’re pregnant. This is because your body works harder to produce thicker fluid that helps keep the cervix healthy, sealed and lubricated. You might also experience it in the third trimester of your pregnancy when you need extra lubrication to help prevent stretch marks.
Ejaculation is another cause of white discharge. Typically, it’s clear to milky white and is made up of semen and sperm from the penis. This is a healthy and natural process that occurs during sexual arousal.
If you’re experiencing a lot of white discharge, it can be helpful to track your cycle with an app like Flo. This will help you understand the changes in your cervical mucus throughout the month. For example, in the beginning and end of your menstrual cycle, it’s typical to have a thicker white discharge while during ovulation your discharge may be clear and stretchy, similar in texture to egg whites.
Is it a sign of an infection?
White discharge during and after sex is normal, especially if it’s not associated with pain or a foul smell. But it can be a sign of an infection or sexually transmitted disease (STI) if the color turns yellow or has a strong odor, or if you’re experiencing symptoms like pelvic pain, heavy or painful periods, bleeding between periods, or fatigue.
Clear to milky white penile discharge before sex, known as pre-come, is also typical and is a mix of semen from the man and vaginal secretions that help lubricate the vulva for intercourse. White discharge during and after sex is also common, since sexual arousal leads to increased production of fluids that aid in sex. However, clumpy white or frothy discharge is not normal and may be a sign of an infection.
Bacterial vaginosis is a condition that causes vaginal itching, sensitivity, and sometimes a thick, off-white or gray discharge. If you have bacterial vaginosis, your doctor will prescribe an antibiotic to treat it. Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) like gonorrhea and chlamydia can cause peculiar white vaginal discharge, too. They can be detected by a simple test, and treated with antibiotics. If you suspect STIs are the cause, tell your doctor about your sexual history with your recent partners. Yeast infections are another common cause of thick white discharge, and can be easily treated with anti-fungal medicine.
What should I do?
Vaginal discharge is a natural way for our bodies to fight harmful bacteria and lubricate the cervix and uterus. It can also indicate our menstrual cycle, as it changes in color and thickness throughout the month. However, if white discharge after sex is milky, thick, and sticky, it could be a sign of infection.
A healthy mix of cervical mucus and vaginal secretions for females, and seminal fluid and sperm for males, is expected during sexual arousal. This mixture of fluids can cause discomfort and pain during penetration, but is typically not harmful if not associated with an infection or foul-smelling.
Thick white discharge after sex can be due to a variety of factors. For example, a thickening of the vaginal discharge can signal that an ovary is releasing an egg (ovulation). This usually happens on day 14 of the menstrual cycle. It can also occur during pregnancy, as hormone levels increase to prepare the uterus for a fertilized egg. It is recommended that women track their menstrual cycle using apps like Flo to see how their discharge changes.
Thick, white discharge after sex may also be a result of pre-ejaculate, which is a small amount of semen that the body produces during sexual arousal. There is a 4% chance of becoming pregnant from pre-ejaculate, so it is important to use a condom when engaging in sexual activity.