Perimenopause Watery Discharge: What Is it & How to Manage

Perimenopause is a transitional time. When menopause occurs, your body will go through many changes and the symptoms can make you feel like you’re on a hormonal rollercoaster ride.

One of the changes you might notice is changes to your vaginal discharge. You may see a decrease in vaginal discharge (resulting in dryness) or changes in the color or consistency of discharge. Many of these changes are not cause for concern. Some are worth a trip to your doctor.

In this article, we’ll dig into what perimenopause is, why it impacts vaginal discharge, and the different kinds of discharge you may experience during perimenopause—including watery vaginal discharge.

What Is Perimenopause?

Perimenopause refers to the transitional phase leading up to menopause, during which a woman's body winds down its reproductive stage. Perimenopause typically happens to women in their 40s but can begin as early as the mid-30s or as late as the 50s.

During perimenopause, the ovaries produce less estrogen, which can cause changes in the menstrual cycle, such as irregular periods. Some women also experience other symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, mood changes, vaginal dryness, decreased libido, and difficulty sleeping.

Perimenopause At a Hormonal Level

During perimenopause, the ovaries produce less estrogen, driving a lot of the symptoms women experience during perimenopause. But estrogen is not the only hormone fluctuating: The levels of other hormones, such as progesterone and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), also play a role in the perimenopausal experience.

As estrogen levels decline during perimenopause, the menstrual cycle may become irregular, and periods may become heavier or lighter. Fluctuating levels of estrogen can also cause other symptoms, such as hot flashes, night sweats, and vaginal dryness.

Other hormones in play include:

• Progesterone also starts to decline during perimenopause. This can contribute to mood changes, anxiety, and sleep disturbances.
• As estrogen levels decline, the pituitary gland produces more follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). This increase in FSH may cause symptoms such as hot flashes and night sweats.

What Is Healthy Vaginal Discharge?

Vaginal discharge is fluid that is produced by glands inside a woman’s vagina and cervix. Discharge is considered normal and healthy. It helps keep the vagina clean and healthy, maintaining a healthy pH balance.

The quantity and consistency of vaginal discharge a woman experiences can vary over her life and even within her monthly menstrual cycle. Changes can depend on factors such as age, hormonal changes, the stage of their menstrual cycle, sexual activity, and pregnancy. Discharge can also be impacted by infections and therefore can be a symptom of an STI or yeast infection.

While there can be a range in ‘healthy’ discharge, vaginal discharge is usually clear or white and may have a slightly slippery or sticky texture. It may also have a mild odor that is not unpleasant.

How Perimenopause May Change Your Vaginal Discharge

Vaginal Atrophy

Vaginal atrophy (aka atrophic vaginitis) is a condition where the tissues of the vaginal walls become thinner, drier, and less elastic. It may happen to women during perimenopause or after surgical removal of the ovaries. 

Symptoms of vaginal atrophy include vaginal dryness, itching, or burning. Some women may also experience an increased frequency or urgency to pee urinary tract infections (UTIs), or discomfort or pain when peeing.

Watery Vaginal Discharge

During perimenopause, women may experience changes in their vaginal discharge due to hormonal fluctuations. Some women may notice that their vaginal discharge becomes watery, thinner, or more transparent. Watery discharge is due to changes in the vagina’s acidity or pH level following a decline in estrogen levels.

As a result of the vaginal walls becoming less acidic, harmful bacteria can grow more easily. This may lead to infections and other health problems. Therefore, it’s important to monitor your vaginal discharge and pay particular attention if the discharge is foul-smelling or accompanied by itching or irritation.

Less Vaginal Discharge / Vaginal Dryness

During perimenopause, many women experience vaginal dryness or decreased vaginal lubrication, which is caused by a decline in estrogen levels. Estrogen is the hormone responsible for maintaining the health and elasticity of vaginal tissues, as well as regulating the production of natural lubrication.

As estrogen levels decline during perimenopause, the tissues in the vaginal area may become thinner, less elastic, and less lubricated. This can lead to discomfort, irritation, and pain during sexual intercourse, as well as an increased risk of vaginal infections.

To manage vaginal dryness during perimenopause, you can use over-the-counter lubricants to alleviate discomfort and improve sexual function. 

Discharge or Light Bladder Leaks?

Some women experience light bladder leaks during perimenopause due to weakened pelvic floor muscles. If you are not aware of urine leakage, you may confuse moistness from urine leaking with discharge. The giveaway will usually be the ammonia-like smell of urine (discharge should not have a strong or bad smell.)

Leakproof Underwear Can Help!

If you’re experiencing watery discharge or light bladder leaks, you might try leakproof underwear. You may think leakproof underwear is just for periods—not the case! Indeed, they can absorb blood, sweat, or urine. This can make them a perimenopausal woman’s best friend! Whether you’re experiencing hot flashes, light bladder leaks, irregular periods, or watery vaginal discharge, leakproof underwear will keep you clean and fresh! Shop the Knix collection here!

Vaginal Discharge Concerns: When to See Your Doctor

While healthy vaginal discharge is a normal bodily function, there are times when it can serve as a signal of something not quite right. So always pay attention to changes in your vaginal discharge and talk to your doctor about any changes. 

If you experience any of the following in particular, it’s worth a conversation with your healthcare provider:

• Vaginal discharge accompanied by other symptoms such as itching, burning, or pain
• Unusual bleeding or spotting between periods, or after sex
• Pain or discomfort during sex
• Inflammation of the vulva
• Yellow or green discharge can be a sign of an STI
• Thick, white, or cottage cheese-like discharge may indicate yeast infections
• Pelvic pain or discomfort, especially if it is severe or accompanied by fever or nausea
• Signs of a possible sexually transmitted infection (STI), like sores or blisters around the genital area

It is important to note that vaginal discharge is a normal bodily function, but any changes or unusual symptoms should be addressed promptly to rule out any underlying health issues or infections. Your doctor can perform a physical exam, collect a sample of your discharge for laboratory testing, and recommend appropriate treatment based on the cause of your symptoms.

Other Symptoms of Perimenopause

Fluctuating hormones can cause both physical and emotional reactions (mood symptoms.) There’s quite a range of menopausal symptoms here, and their severity and duration can vary wildly from person to person. Here are some of the more common menopause symptoms.

Missed or Irregular Periods

During perimenopause, you may notice changes to your menstrual cycles. Some of these changes can be extreme opposites of each other, from lighter periods to heavier periods. This is caused by the extreme fluctuation of your hormone levels. 

Hot Flashes / Night Sweats

Hot flashes (aka hot flushes) are characterized by a sudden feeling of warmth or heat that spreads throughout the body, often accompanied by sweating, rapid heartbeat, and flushing of the skin.

Night sweats are episodes of excessive sweating during the night that can drench the bedding and clothing, leading to discomfort and interrupted sleep.

… And So Many Other Symptoms

There’s still a long list of other menopausal symptoms is quite long. The good news is not all perimenopausal women experience these symptoms. And they may be less intense for some. The list includes:

• Nausea: Fluctuating estrogen levels can result in feelings of nausea.
• Weight gain: Sudden changes in weight or digestion can also point to perimenopause. If your diet, nutrition, and exercise levels are fairly stable and you find yourself experiencing weight gain, that may be a symptom of perimenopause.
• Vaginal dryness: Vaginal or endometrial atrophy occurs in some women after menopause. The body produces less estrogen after menopause, which can lead to the thinning, drying, and inflammation of the vaginal walls. During perimenopause this process can begin, resulting in dryness.
• Changes in sexual desire or satisfaction: Some women report changes in sexual desire and arousal due to fluctuating hormones.
• Insomnia and sleep troubles: Apart from night sweats, general sleep can become unpredictable during perimenopause and beyond. It can also be hard to fall asleep, with some experiencing insomnia.
• Mood swings & anxiety: Any fluctuation in hormones can have a knock-on effect on your mood. Many report feeling more anxious or having sudden flashes of rage.
• Bone loss: With declining estrogen levels, your bone density may decrease as you start to lose bone more quickly than you replace it. For some, this can lead to an increased risk of osteoporosis — a disease that causes fragile bones in women.
• Bladder problems: Low estrogen levels may also make you more vulnerable to urinary or vaginal infections. Loss of tissue strength may contribute to urinary incontinence.
• Memory problems or difficulty concentrating: Memory problems or difficulty concentrating are common symptoms caused by hormonal changes. Other factors like stress, sleep disturbances, and mental health conditions can contribute to these symptoms. 
• Joint and muscle pain: Estrogen plays an important role in maintaining joint and bone health. As estrogen levels decline during perimenopause, women may experience a loss of bone density and joint cartilage, leading to joint and muscle pain
• Headaches or migraines: The exact cause of headaches during menopause is not fully understood, but hormonal changes are believed to play a role. As levels of estrogen and progesterone fluctuate during menopause, some women may experience changes in blood vessels that can lead to headaches. Other factors, such as stress, lack of sleep, and certain foods or drinks, can also trigger headaches during menopause.
• Changes in skin and hair, such as dryness or thinning: Estrogen plays a key role in maintaining skin and hair health. It promotes collagen production, which helps keep skin elastic and firm, and also helps maintain healthy hair follicles. As estrogen levels decline during menopause, collagen production decreases, and hair follicles may become less active, leading to thinner, less elastic skin and hair.

If you're experiencing symptoms that are interfering with your daily life, talk to your healthcare provider about your options for managing them. Most of these symptoms will subside in postmenopausal women.

Take Our Perimenopause Quiz

The symptoms of perimenopause are numerous. But they can also be easily confused with other things going on in our bodies. Perimenopausal women may also wonder:

• Am I just stressed (work, world events, family life, etc.)
• Am I just run down?
• Maybe I’m coming down with the flu/cold/COVID?
• Maybe my body is just a little out of whack?
• Have I let my healthy habits slide a bit?
• Perhaps I’m just PMS-ing!
• Am I pregnant?

This means it can be difficult to say decisively if one is experiencing perimenopause or something else. And the situation can be even more confusing if you’re typically prone to an irregular menstrual cycle. It might be hard to spot the differences.

To help you navigate these uncertainties, we’ve devised a little quiz. Check it out here…

We hope you found this post informative — but remember: we’re not doctors and this post is not medical advice! While all posts are fact-checked and well researched, we always recommend you chat with your doctor about any questions or concerns you might have regarding a medical condition. We’re here to support and educate, but never with the aim of disregarding professional medical advice you’ve been given. Phew, now that that’s out of the way, you can go on living unapologetically free.