Pinkish discharge can occur at the beginning or end of menstruation, be a consequence of changing contraceptives or be indicative of pregnancy, as it is possible for there to be a small amount of bleeding when the fertilized egg implants in the uterus, which is considered normal.
However, pink discharge can also be a sign of more serious situations, such as an ovarian cyst or pelvic inflammatory disease, which should be evaluated by a gynecologist.
Whenever pink discharge is very frequent or accompanied by symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea or a strong smell, it is recommended to consult a gynecologist to identify whether there is a problem and begin appropriate treatment.
Main causes
Some of the most common causes for the appearance of pink discharge are:
1. Beginning or end of menstruation
Some women who are in the first or last days of menstruation may have a pinkish discharge, which is usually the result of blood mixing with vaginal secretions.
What to do: In these cases, treatment is not necessary, as it corresponds to a normal situation.
2. Hormonal imbalance
When a woman experiences hormonal fluctuations, it is possible to notice a pinkish discharge. This happens when estrogen is present in insufficient quantities to keep the uterine lining stable, allowing it to shed, which may appear pink in color.
What to do: Hormonal imbalance can be caused by several factors, such as stress, poor diet, being overweight or an illness. Therefore, it is important to see a general practitioner or endocrinologist to understand the cause of this imbalance and, thus, initiate appropriate treatment.
Don’t ignore the signs your body is giving you!
3. Changing contraceptives
Some women have a pinkish discharge when starting or changing contraceptives, which is more common among those who have low estrogen levels or who only contain progestins in their composition.
Furthermore, pink discharge can also happen when a woman does not take the contraceptive pill correctly.
What to do: it is common for pinkish discharge to occur during the first month or 3 months after using the contraceptive, however, if it lasts longer or other changes are noticed, it is important that the gynecologist is consulted.
4. Ovarian cysts
An ovarian cyst consists of a sac filled with fluid, which can form in or around the ovary and be asymptomatic or cause symptoms such as pinkish discharge, pain, changes in menstruation or difficulty getting pregnant. Find out what types of ovarian cyst are.
What to do: It is important that the gynecologist is consulted when the ovarian cyst causes symptoms, and tests are then carried out to assess the characteristics of the cyst and, thus, initiate the most appropriate treatment. In most cases, the use of contraceptive pills with estrogen and progesterone is recommended. In more serious cases, where the symptoms are very intense and/or there are signs of malignancy, surgery may be indicated to remove the cyst or ovary.
5. Pregnancy
Pink discharge can also be a symptom of pregnancy and occurs due to the implantation of the fertilized egg in the uterus, this process being known as implantation. See more about implantation bleeding.
What to do: Pink discharge during implantation, although it does not happen to all women, is perfectly normal. However, if the intensity of the bleeding increases, you should see a gynecologist.
6. Pelvic inflammatory disease
Pelvic inflammatory disease, also called PID, is an infection that begins in the vagina and ascends, affecting the uterus and also the tubes and ovaries, and can spread over a large pelvic area or even the abdomen, generating symptoms such as discharge. pinkish, yellowish or greenish, bleeding during sexual intercourse and pelvic pain.
What to do: It is important that the gynecologist is consulted so that tests can be carried out to identify the microorganism responsible for the disease and, thus, treatment can be started, which normally involves the use of antibiotics. Understand how PID is treated.
7. Miscarriage
Pink discharge can also be a sign of miscarriage, which is very common in the first 10 weeks of pregnancy. It can happen due to fetal malformation, excessive consumption of alcohol or drugs or trauma to the abdominal region.
Generally, the signs and symptoms appear suddenly and can include fever, severe abdominal pain, headache and pinkish discharge that can progress to heavier bleeding or loss of clots from the vagina.
What to do: If a woman suspects that she is having a miscarriage, she should go to the emergency room immediately.
8. Menopause
When a woman is in the transition period to menopause, she goes through hormonal fluctuations, which result in changes in the menstrual cycle. As a result, symptoms such as pinkish discharge, hot flashes, difficulty sleeping, vaginal dryness and mood changes may appear.
What to do: Treatment for menopause should be carried out if symptoms cause discomfort and compromise the woman’s quality of life. In some cases, hormone replacement therapy or dietary supplementation may be warranted.
9. Sexual relations
Sexual intercourse can also cause pinkish discharge due to a small amount of bleeding inside the vagina, which can be a consequence of dryness of the vagina, inadequate vaginal lubrication and/or intense sexual activity, and can happen more frequently in young women or those who do use of oral contraceptives.
What to do: Pinkish discharge due to sexual intercourse lasts about 2 days and is not a cause for concern. However, if it lasts longer or is accompanied by symptoms such as pain or bad smell from the discharge, it is important that the gynecologist is consulted so that a more detailed assessment can be carried out, the cause of the discharge can be identified and the most appropriate treatment can be initiated.
