Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: rosekay on November 22, 2012, 01:30:57 PM
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Hi everyone, I'm so hoping someone can relate to this!
I am 51, periods irregular so I know the Big M is upon me! Everyone says a big symptom is vaginal dryness but I have just the opposite problem and it's really unpleasant. About a week after the end of a period I get lots of shiny, clear discharge- no smell, no irritation. Just wet! I even had to use tampons on holiday in July to make the days more comfortable (and that helped, so I know its vaginal and not bladder related). Haven't had a period since end Sep, but am suffering this week with more wetness, and a low dragging pain like a period pain. I have been to the doctors about it, but of course it didn't happen at the time. She said to go back if it recurred, but I've been there for other, unrelated things 2 or 3 times over the past couple of weeks and I can't go back again yet!
I'm thinking it may be due to crazy hormones. I had a smear test (routine) about 3 weeks ago but not had results yet. I don't think that has anything to do with the problem though. It just seems odd that only dryness is mentioned as a problem. Or am I just weird!? Love to hear from anyone with ideas! :)
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Hi Rosekay
Welcome to the forum! :welcomemm:
I am post meno (19 months) and your post has reminded me of what used to happen with me during peri. I'd forgotten all about the weird wetness that I used to get from time to time. Clear, odourless, watery. No irritation. I can't recall having any pain with it. I used to use large panty liners for a few days till it went away. I've no idea why it happened and haven't been troubled by it since becoming post meno. I seem to remember someone else saying they'd had this too.
Meno sure throws up some strange symptoms!
Catweazle x
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Hormones >:(
When you had your smear exam did the Nurse make any comment?
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Hi rosekay
:welcomemm:
I started getting the clear, watery discharge during peri towards the end of periods. I'd feel like I'd wet my pants and then find that the tampon was soaked through and had leaked. :o I'm now on HRT but still get the watery stuff at the end of bleeds. I've actually dried up otherwise, so have very little discharge for the rest of the month which is the opposite of how things were before.
The pain might be due to your body trying to have a period but the womb lining being too thin for there to be anything to shed. Other ladies have reported getting all the symptoms of a period but without any actual bleeding.
Bette x
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Hi rosekay - welcome from me too.
You will probably find that the dryness comes at a later date and if it is only September since your last period then you are probably only in very early meno. I found between the ages of 51 and 53 were brilliant years for me lubrication-wise. I think it is the body's last ditch attempt to try to further the species!
Quite often vaginal dryness doesn't become a problem until the periods have been absent for quite some time. You need to not have had a period for a year before you are called post meno and symptoms can worsen for up to two years after the last period. Some women go almost a whole year without a period before they restart and then you have to count all over again - most frustrating! I also think that the term "dryness" is a bit of a misnomer as I never became that dry but sex did become very painful before I started first on Vagifem and then on full HRT. Have you got any other meno symptoms?
I would say that although you see the wetness as a nuisance try to enjoy it while you can. I am not sure about using a tampon though to dry it up - I think this can cause problems. Tampons are only really meant for bleeding. Not sure what others think?
Taz x
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I wouldn't think a tampon is a great idea. A panty liner would do the job.
I remember being like this too so it would appear its not unusual.
Honeyb
x
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I only mentioned tampons because this has happened to me towards the end of my period; I wouldn't use them just for clear discharge.
Bette x
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I've been getting this lately too and thought it was like when ovulating in middle of cycle, but realised I couldn't be ovulating for over a week at a time. I keep thinking a period has started when I feel damp and it's just this, saying that sex has been easier while like this ;) but I keep getting a stabbing pain in right ovary too ???
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Me too i have had this for some time , usually inbetween periods at ovulation time, and stringy at times too, i too have to wear panty liners....
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Rings a bell with me too. Had a lot of this from mid thirties till when I stopped periods at fifty. Clear, stretchy discharge. Used to be quite marked and I think more than you would normally expect at ovualtion. No idea really what caused it. Had difficulties becoming pregnant till I managed it at thirty-five, dont know if it was related but at least others experience this.
Meg
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I was always like that even at 11 when my periods started and well before panty liner
I used to get toilet paper soft had just come out and id roll them over and make a pad for my knickers
As for the end to be honest I cant remember but I do know i used to take 2/3 panty liners to work maybe that was why? xxx
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Mine is very watery; the "stretchy" stuff seems to be a thing of the past which I assumed was a sign that I'm getting further into meno. ??? Most of the time it's just "chalky."
Bette x
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The clear stretchy stuff is ovulation mucus. The weird pre meno stuff is very runny.
Catweazle x
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Mine is very watery; the "stretchy" stuff seems to be a thing of the past which I assumed was a sign that I'm getting further into meno. Most of the time it's just "chalky."
I can relate to that Bette but once the atrophy started it was non existant. Since using vagifem it comes and goes.
Katy x
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Thanks so much for your replies, ladies! so nice to know I'm not the only one this happens to. The nurse and doctor I've seen lately about other things in that area both said all looks fine, and that I definitely "wasn't dry" down there!
It is a very watery discharge, and I too keep thinking my period has started, like Nifty Fifty - but no. I only used the tampons for a couple of days because I was on holiday (30th anniversary) and I kept getting actual little gushes of liquid, which as you can imagine was really spoiling the week. And doing that did show that it was a vaginal problem and not bladder.
I've had periods every 3 weeks for some time, instead of the 4 -5 it used to be. Scantier though. And over the last year and a half or so I've sometimes missed a month or two altogether. Bette, your comment about the body trying to have a period makes a lot of sense, it's exactly how it feels. Wish it would give up! Why do we not have a nice handy "off" switch?!
I saw the doctor because I'd started getting a weird pain down there - suddenly a feeling like a painful graze on the inner lips, no relation to anything. Just happens suddenly all by itself, makes me draw in my breath. Nothing to see. She said she didn't want to give me hormone cream (?) yet.
Oh! If you'll bear with me another minute, does anyone get this? It can't be meno related, been going on anbout 20 years on and off. A sudden absolutely agonizing sharp pain around the top of the vulva, low pubic area. It seems to be in the fatty tissue, not internal. Just like a knife going in and twisting. That stops me in my tracks. Because it's so intermittant I'd never bothered mentioning it till the smear nurse told me to. But again, all look :thankyou:s well and the doctor can't find any reason apart from maybe a sudden flare up of nerve endings. Can't tell you how painful it is. Oh well! Enough moaning!
Many thanks for the welcome and help - I'm so glad to have found this site!
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OK : thinking out loud here ;) - 30th anniversary ( :congrats: to you both) = more sex .......... :-[
As for that sudden sharp pain, my clitoris does that sometimes, like you say, it stops you in your tracks and I go 'ouch' out loud :o. I can relate tot he painful graze-like sensation , I use a lot of lubrication during the day which usually helps.
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Gosh, if I used lubrication I'd be awash! ;D I've never heard of anyone else getting that awful pain (maybe coz I've never asked, it's not the sort of thing to slip easily into a conversation!) - I'm sorry you get it, but relieved it's not just me!
Many thanks for the congratulations! A second honeymoon was very nice! And with the problem I had, there was no chance of any pain!
It's great to be able to discuss things like this, I could never do it in real life, ever.
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Nor could I :o ...........
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Me neither. :-[ We had best sex in a long time last night as I was so moist, didn't even feel like I had lichen sclerosus. Long may it last! ;)
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Thank you to the OP for this thread i have found reading the posts very reassuring. You don't think you are normal until you real about others having the same things.
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I have the same problem with the watery stuff. I know i first got mine about 6 year ago when i had an operation to remove some fibroids. Both the doc and the hospital that i went back to have never been able to give me an answer although I suspect it had something to do with the op. However when my period first stopped for 5 months earlier this year it went and i was so grateful not having to wear liners, but when they came back again the discharge came back with a different twist. It was more constant and just have a different feel to it. But like some have said, it has its benefits;
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Yes, it really helps to know it's not just you all this weird stuff is happening to! It seems like everyone else is perfectly happy, normal and worry free - just goes to show how we all hide stuff! However women managed without sites like this, I really don't know! I would be a nervous wreck without speaking with you all! :D
By the way, what's an OP?
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I was wondering too ???
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Original Poster?
Catweazle x
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Original Poster - how obvious when you know! ;D Silly me. I've had a few weeks free from the discharge, but it's back again now, driving me crazy. I can't work out where exactly it's coming from - I know using the tampons completely stopped it, so am sure it must be vaginal. But I feel the gush appear round the clitoris area. It's not urine. It's very odd. Very obvious when I sit up from lying, or get up from sitting, but can happen any old time. I need a scream-with-frustration smiley to put in here! Smear all clear, so that's something.
Oh, and my husband and I both have high cholesterol, we've discovered (I'm not as bad as him!) so diet changes and statins for me! Ho hum, what next! :)
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I too have this watery discharge - 11 months after my last period. Clear ovulatory at times but leaves a wet stain on underwear. I think it must be common as reading this thread many ladies seem to notice it. Anyone found that it has a pattern?
I feel like I am having more oestrogenic activity as I have been sleeping well with less night sweats for the two weeks I have been having the discharge.
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I wear a pantyliner and I notice a yellowy discharge on my liner at the end of the day.
It doesn't smell horrible.
I'm on femoston 2/10
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I have had random cervical mucus (like egg white) which has lasted several days or been a bit dried up. It is a sign of higher oestrogen levels (but not necessarily ovulation- you need a temp rise as well for this)
I have also had watery discharge, which is different. Mine came after a rectocele repair, so I had stitches up the back of my vagina. The first time was a couple of weeks after the op, I had antibiotics and that seemed to solve it. I had an inconclusive swab, where the doctor thought it looked a bit thrushy and was a bit offhand over the wetness. The consultant said all was ok, and when I said I had had some dryness (labial skin, v dry and itching) he put vagifem on my letter.
The discharge came back and I tried canesten which helped. However, it came and went and came and went, the discharge got worse - panty liners were no good. It then turned pinkish and I was uncomfortable sitting again, so, fearful for my new scar, I saw a locum and said I had no idea if it was infection, thrush or meno. He took a swab, gave me ab cream and said I should be taking the vagifem. The swab came back ok, I picked up the prescription for vagifem.
It went and has not come back for a year :)
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I have the same thing !! Lots of clear mucous I thought the same thing could this be ovulation but goes on and on I think it's the fluctuation in hormones.
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Yes Jane44 that is exactly what is happening to me. I did get this a lot last year when I was missing periods for the first time, but now I have gone a few months since the last episode of mucus, and 11 months since my last bleed.It has been going on for 2 weeks now- just a clear ovulatory mucus discharge that resembles exactly what I used to get mid cycle. Anyone else have this and did it go completely after the periods stopped altogether- say after a year or so of no cycles?
Also I have been feeling much less meno since the discharge- no hot flushes and sleeping much better. Do you see a relationship between the discharge and sleeping better as my theory is that it is a high oestrogen sign?
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Hi everyone, I'm so hoping someone can relate to this!
I am 51, periods irregular so I know the Big M is upon me! Everyone says a big symptom is vaginal dryness but I have just the opposite problem and it's really unpleasant. About a week after the end of a period I get lots of shiny, clear discharge- no smell, no irritation. Just wet! I even had to use tampons on holiday in July to make the days more comfortable (and that helped, so I know its vaginal and not bladder related). Haven't had a period since end Sep, but am suffering this week with more wetness, and a low dragging pain like a period pain. I have been to the doctors about it, but of course it didn't happen at the time. She said to go back if it recurred, but I've been there for other, unrelated things 2 or 3 times over the past couple of weeks and I can't go back again yet!
I'm thinking it may be due to crazy hormones. I had a smear test (routine) about 3 weeks ago but not had results yet. I don't think that has anything to do with the problem though. It just seems odd that only dryness is mentioned as a problem. Or am I just weird!? Love to hear from anyone with ideas! :)
Be happy your hormones are working well I had the same but at 36 not 51
Its normal OK xxxxxxxxxxxxx chill xxxxxxxxxxxxx :D
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Hi Machair yes I feel great when the mucoid loss is there !!! So strange then when I don't have it I get the burning mouth and some brown loss now and then dry hair and palpitations is defo fluctuating hormones me thinks.. Oh the joy thanks for posting
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As a teenager in the late 60s and long before pantyliners, I went on an exchange trip to Germany. Girls being girls(!), one of the things which became a hot topic was that the German girls regularly changed their undies twice a day. Seems they were much more aware and proactive in dealing with normal teenage hormonal discharge than us Brits. Funny how these obscure facts lodge in the mind ;D
Same hee but my pal had 2 French girls of 14 or so and theyd wear the same knickers for 2 or 3 days she was horrified !!! Gosh though as I wrote before I remember so well coming home from school amd going to the loo
Seeing the gunk on my knickers they could have walked Id wash them in the bathroom sink with loads of soap
Could neber get rid of some of the colour though Thats when MUM said right from now on u wash your own knickers We werent poor at all BUT we didnt have a washing machine or fridge and I still dont know why
We could well have afforded it? Thats abouth the time soft tissue came in and id fold loads and put it in my knickers some days Id take a pile off the roll and put it in a paper bag so I could use it at school
Dad would go nuts saying whos using the toilet roll hehehehehe gosh those were the days rubbish hey!!!! ;D
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Wondering about this again- lots of watery discharge. Rosekay I know you started this thread- has yours stopped now?
I am sure I should be happy to have lots of fluid down there but it does seem excessive!
Waiting for a period again - full of PMT
Anyone else have more watery discharge through the final months of peri? I think the opposite may be round the corner.
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I'm suffering with the watery discharge today and I'm post menopause...I have no ovaries nor tubes.
I'm keeping a diary as it may be happening in a pattern which is related to the days I use Replens, although I understand it's just one of those things which can happen post menopause.
I've seen my gynaecologist about some bleeding which occured a few weeks ago, which turned out to be caused by a shrinking fibroid and I have the option to see him again over the next six months with any other problems so if this persists I will give him a call.
But, Jeez...it's horrible being wet all the time!
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Hi
I too started to have this symptom. I thought I had peed my pants and in fact have had 2 incidents when I had to change them.
I had a hysterectomy (I still have 1 ovary) in Jan and started to suffer from vaginal atrophy so was prescribed vagifem plus HRT. I was starting to feel more normal until about a week ago. I started to get a lot of cramping pain similar to period pain along the incision and the atrophy symptoms so I took the vagifem nightly for about 4 days until and the watery discharge happened. I saw a Dr who took a swab and prescribed antibiotics. In the interim I saw my GP when I didn't have any discharge...of course. I explained the symptoms but I didn't get an explanation.
The swab came back clear, the pain has subsided but the discharge remains...quite bad at some points. I haven't used the vagifem pessary for over a week. I wondered if I took too much or when my one remaining ovary decided to squirt out some hormones. It's a bit odd to go from atrophy symptoms to having big gushes.
Any ideas anyone?
M
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I have found this thread so reassuring. I've been getting this watery discharge for nearly 2 weeks now. First thing in the morning when I sit up in bed is the worst and it is pale yellow in appearance when I wipe. Throughout the day it isn't too bad and appears a lot paler and more watery. I haven't had a proper period for nearly 2 years. I had a vaginal scan, hysteroscopy and D&C back in January when they also removed my copper coil, which they thought was infected. I've noticed that my hot flushes and night sweats have virtually disappeared recently. An interesting coincidence as some of you have noted. I'm seeing my GP today just to be on the safe side.
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Back on this thread again and just wondering if Rosekay or anyone who previously posted can shed any further light on this topic. Last period I had was late November, so technically I could be in the final few months before meno. However I am still having excess discharge from time to time at the same time as sore nipples, and so presume I am still making oestrogen. The discharge is yellow and watery at times, and occasionally appears very very light brown after it has dried on all day. No infection as not sore, and always in conjunction with sore chest. No night sweats at all either for the last few months. 55 now but was regular till 53. Anyone else have this?
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I've always had it, used to long for it to stop. It got a lot worse about 4 years ago, then started 'drying up' about a year ago and now I am usually like the Sahara down there. Don't knock it - it's irritating and uncomfortable, but the dryness is worse...
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Thank you Dorothy that is so helpful. So would you say it amped up around the last year before you became fully meno? That seems to me what is happening.
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Dorothy - have you tried using a vaginal moisturiser? You can use it underneath as well - wherever you have dryness/ soreness. I use 'Yes' water based and it has really helped me. My GP told me about vaginal moisturisers - I didn't even know such a thing existed! She first prescribed Sylk, but that irritated me, so now I have 'Yes'. It is listed in the vaginal treatments at the top of the page. You can get a free sample to see if it suits you, if you contact their website. I hope this might help you! It's worth a try rather than suffering.
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It's a pleasure, Sparkle!
I really hope it works for you. As I said, it has really helped me - I was in so much pain before. I do use Estriol cream twice a week and 'Yes' water-based on the other days, and that keeps me comfortable - thank goodness. I had really become quite desperate. I also just used 'Yes' for a few months last summer whilst waiting for a hysteroscopy, as I had to stop the estrogen, and I was still OK just using 'Yes' every day. Fingers crossed and please let us know how you get on!
Jenna xx
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Machair, I don't think I am fully meno yet, though I can't tell unless I come off the pill. But discharge was certainly bad when I only had a couple of symptoms and dried up as I got to the stage of ticking ALL the symptoms on the list.
Jenna, thanks for the suggestion. At the moment, I am finding Epsom Salts and Omega 7 is helping keep it at bay most of the time, but there are days when a cream would be very helpful! It's weird having had trouble with too much moisture for most of my life, now having the reverse!!!
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I know this is an old thread but I wondered if anyone had found any answers as to what causes this watery discharge.
I started suffering from urogenital atrophy after being post meno for about three years and have been on vagifem initially and then changed to a conti hrt patch since then. However, a couple of weeks ago I started experiencing this kind of watery discharge. I have no idea what caused it and swabs showed no infection. For the last few months I have been finding the patch has been causing a brown discharge every so often so I'm thinking something is out of balance, maybe I'm not absorbing enough progesterone .
I've recently added the Vagifem in alongside the patch and this has slightly lessened the flow of the watery stuff.
A couple of months ago I had a D&C and I realise that could cause watery discharge as things heal ,but surely that would have started earlier, not 6 weeks after the procedure?