Patient's question:
NoDoctor's answer:
Normal leukorrhea should be milky white or colorless and transparent, with a slightly fishy odor or no odor. Its secretion volume and texture are influenced by the levels of estrogen and progesterone in the body, exhibiting cyclical changes in quantity (more or less) and consistency (thinner or thicker) throughout the menstrual cycle. Generally, leukorrhea decreases after the menstrual period. Approaching the ovulation period, elevated estrogen levels stimulate the proliferation of epithelial cells in the cervical glands, increasing the secretion of cervical mucus. The sodium chloride content in the mucus also rises, allowing it to absorb more moisture. As a result, leukorrhea increases during ovulation, becomes thinner, clearer in color, and resembles egg white in appearance, capable of being stretched into thin strands. After ovulation, estrogen levels gradually decline while progesterone levels rise, inhibiting cervical mucus secretion and reducing its sodium chloride content. This leads to thicker leukorrhea with a milky white color and poor extensibility, making it more prone to breaking when stretched. Additionally, certain physiological conditions, such as pregnancy or taking oral contraceptives, can also cause an increase in leukorrhea, with the underlying reason being related to changes in estrogen and progesterone levels in the body.