The production of vaginal discharge or exudate depends on estrogenic hormone secretion and, therefore, is higher during the fertile age of women. At this stage of life, the ovary will cyclically generate steroid hormones in each menstrual cycle, initially releasing estrogens and then progesterone after ovulation. These hormones will act on the vaginal epithelium increasing its trophism and thickness and generating that vaginal and cervical exudate that may vary in appearance and quantity depending on the time of the cycle.
At the end of menstruation estrogen levels are low so that the cervical mucus and secretion of the vaginal epithelium will be scarce and we will hardly have any discharge.
There are different types of contraceptives, which can combine estrogens and gestagens or only gestagens, and there are different ways of administering them (oral, vaginal, transdermal...). The main action of all of them will be to inhibit ovulation and the ovarian cycle, but they provide us with a certain level of hormones in the blood, so the pattern of vaginal discharge will vary in quantity and appearance depending on the patient and the type of contraceptive she is using.
The most reported symptom by users of oral contraceptives is the decrease in vaginal secretion, presenting a thicker and more opaque discharge, since they inhibit the ovulatory peak.
However, other methods such as the vaginal ring may cause increased discharge in their users. These changes in vaginal discharge are normal and should not be a cause for concern unless they are accompanied by itching, irritability, heat, flushing and bad odor. If symptoms of this type appear, it would be advisable to consult your doctor for evaluation and treatment as appropriate.
