What Causes Excessive Vaginal Discharge?

In my previous post The Most Common Types of Vaginal Infections, I discussed the roles and characteristics of normal vaginal discharge, as well as the symptoms of the most common types of vaginal infections.

But what if you have excessive/abnormal vaginal discharge and you’ve ruled out the possibility of vaginal infections? Does that mean it’s normal?

Well, it may be normal in the medical sense, which means that the results of your pelvic exam are likely to come back normal. However, it could still indicate certain imbalances in your system.

The question to ask yourself is whether you experience other symptoms along with the discharge—symptoms such as PMS, irregular periods, irritability, depression, fatigue, loose stools, cold hands and feet, dizziness, backache, frequent urination, or hot fleshes for example.

If you do, it’s important to take a look at your lifestyle, and to try and identify the causes of these imbalances. What’s causing these symptoms may very well be what’s causing the excessive/abnormal discharge.

5 Primary Causes of Excessive Vaginal Discharge

Generally, the following 5 factors could be the causes of the excessive/abnormal vaginal discharge you experience:

1. Estrogen Dominance

As you approach ovulation your estrogen level increases, which stimulates the production of cervical mucus to make you fertile. 

This is a part of the normal vaginal discharge cycle. However, excessive discharge may result if the estrogen levels are too high.  

For more information, read how to lower estrogen dominance naturally. 

2. Poor Dietary Habits

Poor dietary habits, such as the excessive consumption of diary products, greasy foods and sugar, irregular eating, excessive eating, or eating late at night are hard on the body’s digestive system.

The waste materials and fluids that are not absorbed or expelled by the digestive system can be discharged through the genital system, manifesting as excessive vaginal discharge.

3. Emotional Stress

Modern science has proven that our brain controls our reproductive functions (known as the famous hypothalamus – pituitary – ovarian axis).

Our emotional life can have a profound influence on our menstrual cycles, our fertility, as well as our vaginal discharge.

Worry, anger, irritation, frustration and resentment can all impair the proper functions of the reproductive system, which may manifest as excessive vaginal discharge, PMS, irregular periods, and so on.

Read how various emotions affect your menstruation.

4. Overwork

Overwork for long periods of time without adequate rest not only weakens the body’s digestive system, but also weakens the reproductive system.

This can cause premature aging, impairing the body’s ability to hold fluids, be they vaginal discharge or urine. Excessive vaginal discharge or incontinence can result.

5. External Dampness

The vagina and genital system prefer a relatively dry environment.

Exposure to a cold and damp environment can cause excessive vaginal discharge, especially after childbirth and after each period.

So be aware of this and make sure you keep yourself warm and dry most of the time, especially after sweating, shower, swimming, etc.

I hope this post sheds some insights on the potential causes of excessive/abnormal vaginal discharge.

Next, please read recommendations on how to eliminate excessive/abnormal vaginal discharge.

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