What are hormones?

Hormones are chemicals that coordinate different body functions by carrying signals through your blood to your different body parts.

These signals tell your body what to do and when to do it.

Scientists have found over 50 hormones in the body so far.

Hormones control many different essential processes, including metabolism and homeostasis (constant internal balance), growth and development, sexual function, reproduction, sleep-wake cycle, and mood.

It is very important to know that the normal vaginal Discharge is clear or white, does not have a bad smell, is not thick, and does not stick to the vaginal wall.

Normal Hormonal Imbalance Discharge

During menopause

When a woman reaches menopause, the level of the estrogen will decrease causing vaginal atrophy, which leads to thinning of the vaginal wall.

Vaginal atrophy can sometimes increase  the vaginal discharge.

If the discharge looks thin, watery, and yellow or gray, it might indicate an increase in alkalinity and an overgrowth of bacteria in the vagina.

Discharge can sometimes contain blood, but this is not always postmenopausal bleeding.

During pregnancy

All pregnant women see increased vaginal discharge during pregnancy especially in the first trimester and during the pregnancy period due to Hormonal Imbalance (increased estrogen) and increased blood flow. 

The vaginal discharge is clear, thin, or milky white and smells only mildly, this is called leucorrhoea.

Women notice pinkish mucus or brownish vaginal discharge may happen in the second and third trimesters.

Throughout pregnancy, a mucus plug makes the cervix open to kill infections, during labor, the plug will get off.

It looks like watery, sticky, or jelly discharge. pink or blood discharge may appear.

And the pregnant woman's body produces more vaginal discharge as sticky, jelly-like pink mucus streaks.

If a hormonal imbalance occurs in early pregnancy (decrease estrogen and progesterone), bloody and pink discharge will appear which may lead to a lost baby.

The pregnant woman should visit a doctor if she notice these discharge.

During ovulation

The pituitary gland secretes the luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone.

Which enables ovulation to occur, by promoting ovaries to produce estrogen and progesterone.

During ovulation the  vaginal discharge seems clear, stretchy, and watery to help the sperm to reach the egg.

Before ovulation, there is usually excessive discharge.

White, sticky, and thick may refer to infection, it needs to see a doctor.

Abnormal hormonal imbalance discharge

Abnormal increase in prolactin hormone

When prolactin levels increase, nipple discharge will be produced, which may be normal, after labor prolactin increases to enable the mother to feed the baby.

But it will be abnormal if prolactin increases at any other time.

Increased prolactin causes vaginal dryness and increased incidence of vaginal infection.

In case of vaginal infection, the vaginal dischare will be yellowish or greenish, with offensive oder.

Abnormal increase in progesterone hormone

When progesterone increases above normal value, the white vaginal discharge will appear.

The vaginal discharge will be sticky and thick, and last for 14 days.

If lasts more than this period, the woman should see the doctor 

Abnormal decrease of insulin hormone

Diabetes occurs due to decreased insulin hormone, which leads to increased blood sugar.

Diabetes decreases the ability of the immune system to kill infections. 

As a result,  vaginal yeast infections appear and affecting the vaginal discharge. 

The vaginal discharge will be whitish, cheese-like, and has a bad, fish-like smell. 

There will be also itching, pain during sexual intercourse, redness of vagina, and burning sensation.  

Abnormal imbalance of thyroid hormone

Thyroid diseases (hyperthyroidism - hypothyroidism) may affect  the vaginal discharge. 

Hypothyroidism is the reason of vaginal dryness and itching.

It decreases the overall moisture or wetness of the vagina.

It does not produce any type of discharge, let alone a smelly one. 

Hyperthyroidism, on the other hand, is also not related to smelly vaginal discharge.

However, the condition may lead to irregular periods. 

Diagnosis of hormonal imbalance discharge

Healthcare providers generally use blood tests to check hormone situations.

Since your endocrine glands produce hormones directly into your bloodstream.

Certain hormone situations vary drastically throughout the day, so providers may order other tests to measure your situation, similar to a glucose or insulin forbearance test.

Your provider will also ask you about your medical history and symptoms and perform a physical test. 

 

Management of hormonal imbalance discharge

How are hormonal imbalance discharges treated?

Treatment of hormonal imbalance discharge will depend on what’s reason cause it.

Still, the main treatment is hormone relief remedy, if you have lower-than-normal hormone situations.

Depending on which hormone is deficient, you may take oral drugs (capsules) or injection drugs.

For illustration, if you have low thyroid hormone situations(hypothyroidism), your provider can define synthetic thyroid hormone pills. 

Still, there are numerous treatment options depending on the cause.

If you have advanced-than-normal hormone situations, options include drugs, surgery, radiation remedy, or a combination of any of these.

For illustration, if you have a prolactinoma, a benign tumor that causes much prolactin.

Your provider may define a drug to shrink the cancer tissue or you may need surgery to remove it.

How do you fix hormonal imbalances discharge?

Numerous health conditions involving hormonal imbalances, like diabetes and thyroid complaints, need medical treatment.

Numerous nutritional supplements in stores claim to treat different hormonal imbalances, but many of them have been scientifically proven to have a harmful effect.

It’s important to always tell your healthcare provider first about taking supplements.

Away from medical treatment, your provider may recommend certain life changes to help manage a hormonal imbalance, similar to managing your stress situations and getting routine exercise.

What kind of doctor treats hormonal imbalances discharge?

Primary healthcare providers can diagnose and help you manage numerous hormonal imbalances, but you may profit from seeing an endocrinologist.

An endocrinologist is a healthcare provider who specializes in endocrinology, a field of drug that studies conditions related to your hormones.

They can diagnose endocrine conditions, develop treatment and operation plans, and define drugs.

Summary

Homones tell your body what and when to do, and the imbalance of these hormones affects different body parts.

Hormonal imbalance affects the vaginal discharge and this imbalance may be normal or abnormal.

There are different ways to diagnose and treat hormonal imbalance discharge.