Egg White Discharge: What To Know About Cervical Mucus

Originally published 01/14/2023. Updated for accuracy and relevancy on 08/24/2023.

By fertility expert and OBGYN Dr Kenosha Gleaton

Vaginal discharge can give you a lot of insight into your vaginal health, as well as where you are in your menstrual cycle. It’s common for texture, color, and consistency to vary throughout the month, but what do these changes mean? Let’s talk about it. 

Cervical Mucus

The cervix is a muscular organ that acts as a passageway, connecting the vagina and the uterus. [1] The fluid that is produced by the cervix, also known as cervical mucus, cervical fluid, or discharge, actually has a very important job and can be a great source of information on your health and fertility. [2] Cervical mucus (CM) changes in consistency throughout the menstrual cycle to function in different ways. During fertile parts of the month, cervical mucus can help sperm travel through the vagina and cervix to meet and fertilize an egg. Cervical mucus can also prevent sperm or other substances from getting into the cervix during other times of the month. Cervical mucus can give you some insight into your fertile window. 

How to Check Cervical Mucus

How do you know what your cervical mucus looks like? There are a few ways to check CM, and it’s important that they are done before urinating. You could try inserting clean fingers into the vagina, dabbing the vagina with clean toilet paper, or checking discharge left on underwear. It may take a few weeks of tracking your cervical mucus to get a feel for the different types of CM, but you’ll get the hang of it! 

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The Different Kinds of Cervical Mucus

Cervical mucus changes throughout the menstrual cycle to aid the body in different ways. Cervical mucus will differ depending on vaginal health, fertile periods, menstruation, and more. Here are a few kinds of CM you may experience and what they might mean:

Creamy

Cervical mucus may be white, smooth, or creamy in texture. This is often the case when leading up to ovulation and may be caused by an increase in estrogen. This is likely to occur a few days to a week before ovulation. 

Dry

A drier cervical mucus is commonly experienced for a few days following menstruation. This doesn’t necessarily mean there will be no moisture present, but cervical mucus is lacking when attempting to check. This is most likely to occur during the last two weeks of the menstrual cycle or for a few days following menstruation. [2] 

Sticky

A pasty, tacky or sticky CM can be slightly yellow or white. It likely won’t stretch much and may even resemble dried rubber cement. [2] This is most likely to occur the days following menstruation. 

Watery

CM can sometimes be clear, watery, or slippery. It’s likely not stretchy but will feel very wet. This is a sign of high water content and may be a sign of high fertility. Watery CM is likely to occur around days 10-18 of the cycle, around the time of ovulation. [2] 

Slippery

Stretchy, slippery, clear CM is often referred to as egg white discharge, and is a sign that you’re in or near your fertile period. This kind of cervical mucus gives sperm the best chance of survival inside the body for multiple days. [3] Egg white discharge occurs around ovulation, which is often around day 14 of the menstrual cycle. 

It’s important to note that these are estimations based on a 28-day menstrual cycle and can vary from person to person. The best way to understand your own cervical mucus is to track it regularly and write down important patterns you may be experiencing. You can also use ovulation tests to get a more accurate idea of where you are in your cycle. These are two methods commonly used in natural family planning for preventing or attempting conception. 

What Is Egg White Discharge?

Egg white discharge is a term that describes cervical mucus around the time of ovulation. Egg white discharge is usually clear, slippery, and stretchy, similar to egg whites, and is a sign that you’ll be ovulating soon. If you’re attempting to conceive, this is the best time to have sex! 

What Does A Lot of Egg White Cervical Mucus Mean?

Discharge in general is normal and healthy! Discharge is the body’s way of lubricating, cleaning, and protecting the vagina and uterus. [4] It’s normal for discharge to change slightly in texture, amount, or color, during the menstrual cycle. If there are major changes in smell, consistency, color, or if there are any burning or uncomfortable sensations coupled with discharge, you should see a healthcare provider to rule out infection. [4] 

Egg white discharge refers to the clear, slippery, and sticky cervical mucus around ovulation and is a very normal bodily response to ovulation! Producing egg white discharge is your body’s way of helping sperm live and travel through the body long enough to meet and fertilize an egg. This is triggered by hormonal changes and usually lasts about four days. 

Egg White Discharge During Pregnancy

We know that discharge can tell us a lot about our menstrual cycle and fertility, but what does it mean to have discharge during pregnancy? Pregnancy discharge can be normal or abnormal and should be tracked for any significant changes. [5] If discharge ever smells off, has a strange texture or color, or is accompanied by any pain or discomfort, you should see your healthcare provider immediately to rule out infection or other conditions.

Normal discharge during pregnancy is a result of the body continuing to clean and protect the vagina and uterus. This can vary from egg-white discharge to watery discharge, to pink-tinged discharge following implantation bleeding. 

What Else Impacts Cervical Mucus?

Cervical mucus can be a great indicator of your health throughout the menstrual cycle and pregnancy. There are many factors that can have an impact on cervical mucus, including [1-2]:

• Hormonal changes or birth control
• Infections
• Medications
• Breastfeeding 
• Lubricants or hygiene products
• Use fertility lube made without parabens! 
• Nutrition

Some people will have regular and noticeable changes to their cervical mucus while others may not. Talk with your healthcare provider if you have specific questions about ovulation, discharge, menstruation, and more. You can also check the Natalist blog for answers to questions like What is Ovulation Induction? and Can Dehydration Delay Your Period? 

Key Takeaways

• Cervical mucus is also known as cervical fluid, cervical discharge, or discharge. 
• Cervical mucus can vary in texture, color, and consistency depending on the menstrual cycle and other factors.
• You can check your cervical mucus by inserting a clean finger or two into the vagina, dabbing with toilet paper, or checking your underwear.
• During fertile periods, cervical mucus is more likely to be wet, slippery, and clear, similar to egg-whites. 
• Ovulation occurs around day 14 of the menstrual cycle and is known as the fertile period. Egg-white discharge is a sign of ovulation and means that you may be able to get pregnant. 
• Discharge is normal during pregnancy and can vary depending on hormone levels and other factors. If you’re concerned about unusual discharge during pregnancy, be sure to mention it to your healthcare provider.
• If discharge ever smells off, has a strange color, consistency, or is accompanied by burning or discomfort, you should see a healthcare provider to rule out infection.

Sources:

1. Cervix. Cleveland Clinic. June 2022. URL. 
2. Cervical Mucus. Cleveland Clinic. October 2021. URL. 
3. Cervical Mucus and Early Pregnancy. American Pregnancy Association. Accessed August 2023. URL. 
4. Vaginal Discharge. Cleveland Clinic. July 2022. URL. 
5. Prasad D, Parween S, Kumari K, Singh N. Prevalence, Etiology, and Associated Symptoms of Vaginal Discharge During Pregnancy in Women Seen in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Bihar. Cureus. 2021;13(1):e12700. Published 2021 Jan 14. doi:10.7759/cureus.12700