It appears you're asking about milky discharge around the time of your period, not the period itself. Milky discharge before your period is often due to hormonal changes.
Discharge before a period can change in color and consistency. A cloudy or white (milky) discharge before your period is often caused by the increased presence of progesterone. Progesterone is a hormone involved in both the menstrual cycle and pregnancy. In other phases of the cycle, when the body has higher levels of estrogen, vaginal discharge tends to be clear and watery. So, the shift from clear and watery to milky is usually a normal hormonal fluctuation.
Here's a simple breakdown:
| Discharge Characteristic | Likely Cause | Hormone Primarily Involved |
|---|---|---|
| Clear and Watery | Higher estrogen | Estrogen |
| Cloudy or White (Milky) | Increased progesterone | Progesterone |
When to be concerned:
- If the milky discharge is accompanied by itching, burning, a foul odor, or other unusual symptoms, it could indicate an infection (like yeast or bacterial vaginosis) and you should see a doctor.
- Also, if the discharge is gray, green, or yellow, it is important to see a doctor.
