What causes watery discharge with delayed menstruation?
Apr 18, 2023
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Lv Aiming
Introduction
Delayed menstruation with watery discharge may first suggest pregnancy, but it could also be a sign of an impending menstrual period. Vaginal infections, such as vaginitis, can increase discharge due to inflammatory stimulation, causing it to become watery. Severe pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) may allow inflammation to spread to the endometrium, disrupting endometrial shedding and regeneration, thereby delaying menstruation. Inflammation in the pelvis can also lead to exudation of inflammatory secretions, resulting in watery discharge.
In general, delayed menstruation accompanied by watery discharge may be caused by either physiological or pathological factors, and is often associated with conditions such as vaginitis or pelvic inflammatory disease. It is important to maintain good hygiene and promptly visit the obstetrics and gynecology department of a hospital to identify the cause and receive appropriate treatment. The specific analysis is as follows:
1. Physiological Causes
Watery discharge with delayed menstruation may first indicate pregnancy. Women who are pregnant typically experience missed periods, and elevated hormone levels can lead to increased vaginal discharge. Alternatively, it may simply represent an early sign of an upcoming menstrual period, which is a normal physiological phenomenon.
2. Pathological Causes
1) Vaginitis
Women with vaginitis may develop increased watery discharge due to inflammation, often accompanied by symptoms such as odor or itching. Additionally, anxiety related to the infection or prolonged medication use may contribute to delayed menstruation. After laboratory examination of vaginal discharge, treatment with medications such as metronidazole vaginal suppositories, tinidazole suppositories, or dual-azole suppositories may be prescribed under medical guidance.
2) Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
Severe PID can allow inflammation to spread to the endometrium, affecting its shedding and regeneration, thereby causing delayed menstruation. Inflammation in the pelvic region may also lead to exudation of inflammatory fluids, resulting in watery discharge. Treatment may include medications such as Fuke Qianjin tablets, levofloxacin capsules, or Jinji capsules, as directed by a physician.
Besides the above, conditions such as uterine fibroids may also be responsible. It is recommended to first use a pregnancy test strip to rule out pregnancy. After excluding pregnancy, further examinations such as routine vaginal discharge tests and pelvic ultrasound should be performed to determine the underlying cause and initiate targeted treatment.
