Discharge in perimenopause and menopause – what is normal?

Most women approaching perimenopause – or who are in the middle of menopause – sooner or later notice that something happens with their discharge. Maybe it becomes thinner, more watery, smells different – or almost disappears completely. For others, it swings the other way: suddenly the underwear feels constantly damp without it being menstruation or urinary leakage.

But why do discharges change as we get older? What do they really say about our vaginal health? And what happens in the body – and in our protection against infections – when those natural discharges are no longer present?

What is normal? What is a sign of imbalance? And is there actually something you can do about it?

THE FUNCTION OF DISCHARGE – WHY IT IS IMPORTANT

Discharge is the body's way of protecting, lubricating, and cleansing the vagina. They:

✔️ Transports away dead cells and bacteria
✔️ Keeps the mucous membranes hydrated
✔️ Contributes to an acidic pH that protects against infections
✔️ Makes the vagina soft and supple – especially during sex

When estrogen levels drop in connection with menopause, the production of discharge often decreases. This causes the mucous membranes to become drier and more sensitive, which in turn increases the risk of both yeast infections and urinary tract infections. The natural defense weakens – and many women do not know that these are connected.

WHAT HAPPENS TO DISCHARGE IN PERIMENOPAUSE AND MENOPAUSE?

🔄 Decreased discharge
The most common thing is that the amount of discharge decreases. When estrogen drops, much of the natural moisture production disappears.

💧 Thinner or more watery discharge
Some women describe that the discharge becomes more watery and less “creamy” than before – sometimes almost like urine, which can cause confusion.

💛 Changed color or odor
The discharge can become a bit yellower or have a new smell. This is often completely normal, but a strong or fishy odor can be a sign of bacterial imbalance (see below).

🔥 Discharge that burns or irritates
When the mucous membranes are dry, even normal discharge can be experienced as burning or irritating. This is sometimes mistakenly interpreted as yeast or urinary tract infection.

📉 Irregularity
The discharge no longer follows the same cyclical pattern as during reproductive age. It can come and go without a clear rhythm – which in itself is completely normal.

💡 DID YOU KNOW THIS?

Many women who start using VagiVital AktivGel – a hormone-free, clinically proven product for dry mucous membranes – report that their natural discharge actually returns. It's as if the body's own system is awakened again when the mucous membranes receive moisture and protection.

When the mucous membrane is regularly moisturized with AktivGel, the environment in the vagina can regain its balance – which also strengthens protection against infections and irritation.

Buy a 3-pack of AktivGel and get 10% off here.

⚠️ BACTERIAL VAGINOSIS – NOT JUST IN YOUNGER WOMEN

Discharge that smells strong, is grayish and thin can be signs of bacterial vaginosis (BV) – an imbalance in the vaginal bacterial flora. It is the most common vaginal infection in women of reproductive age, but women 55+ can also be affected.

In older women, the symptoms are often milder or different: slight burning, irritation, or a changed odor – which sometimes causes BV to be mistaken for dry mucous membranes.

The solution? Vernivia Vaginal Mousse is an antibiotic-free mousse that restores the balance of the vaginal microbiome. It is developed to work even on fragile, sensitive mucous membranes.

Buy Vernvia Vaginal Mousse here.

🔬 WHAT DOES RESEARCH SAY ABOUT DISCHARGE IN MENOPAUSE?

That discharge changes during perimenopause and menopause is not only something many women experience – it is also well documented in research.

A narrative review from 2025 describes how declining estrogen levels lead to thinner vaginal tissue, reduced blood circulation, and lower glandular secretions – all of which affect the amount and quality of discharge.¹ What was previously abundant and creamy can suddenly become sparse, watery, or disappear entirely.

In another study, discharge was examined in women aged 45–55. It showed that about half of all discharge at this age had an infectious cause, such as yeast or bacterial vaginosis – while 21% were completely normal, physiological discharge.² This makes it even more important to dare to take your symptoms seriously and not dismiss them as "age-related."

Moreover, we know that many women in menopause experience changes in their vaginal microbiota – that is, the balance between good and harmful bacteria. As lactobacilli decrease, the risk of imbalance, recurrent urinary tract infections, and bacterial vaginosis increases.³

All this is connected to dry mucous membranes – and thus also to changed or absent discharge.

Read more about bacterial vaginosis during & after menopause here.

Sources:
¹ Navigating the Vaginal Milieu During Perimenopause: A Narrative Review, 2025
² MedPulse International Journal of Gynaecology, 2020
³ PubMed Central: Vaginal microbiota and UTI risk in peri- and postmenopausal women, 2022

❤️ DISCHARGE IS SOMETHING GOOD – HURRAY!

Discharge is not dirty, embarrassing, or something that "should go away." On the contrary – it is the body's way of protecting, lubricating, and communicating. When it changes – listen. And when it disappears – give the body the right conditions to find its way back.

Discharge is a sign of life, balance, and health. And you deserve to feel comfortable in your body – your whole life.

Take care of yourself & Stay Pussytive ❤

/Fanny Falkman Grinndal
Business Manager Nordics
Peptonic Medical AB
fanny.falkman-grinndal@peptonicmedical.se