What Is Egg White Discharge? Understanding Fertility Signs
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Vaginal discharge can tell us so much about the body.
When it’s white and sticky, we know that it’s doing its job to keep the vagina healthy. When it’s yellow or green, it may be warning us of a possible infection. And when it resembles raw egg whites… it’s letting us know we’re fertile and nearing ovulation.
In this article, we’re covering everything you need to know about egg white discharge – including what it means for fertility, how to track it, and how to distinguish it from other types of vaginal discharge.
Ready? Let’s go!
Egg White Discharge Explained
“Egg white discharge” is a phrase used to describe the white/clear discharge that typically occurs around ovulation. It is called “egg white discharge” because it resembles raw egg whites in color, texture, and consistency.
Compared to other types of vaginal discharge, egg white discharge is distinctly stretchy and slippery. It is often clear or white in color, and an increase in egg white discharge is a key indicator of the fertile window – meaning ovulation will occur within a few days.
Sometimes egg white discharge is referred to as “egg white cervical mucus” and abbreviated as “EWCM”. Both phrases are the same and can be used interchangeably to refer to the discharge experienced around ovulation.
What Does Egg White Discharge Mean for Fertility?
Egg white discharge is most commonly observed during the fertile window, which encompasses the five days before ovulation, the day of ovulation, and the day after ovulation. This is the window of time when an individual is most likely to conceive. Biologically, the purpose of egg white discharge is to aid the transportation and protection of sperm, which helps maximize the chances of conception.
By monitoring changes in vaginal discharge throughout the menstrual cycle, individuals can spot egg white discharge and know ovulation is approaching. This is particularly important for couples following natural family planning (NFP) techniques to plan or avoid pregnancy.
To learn more about how to monitor egg white discharge in order to anticipate ovulation, we would love to chat with you in our Hormone Health Clinic for Fertility! Our fertility coaches are experienced in all things fertility and can provide practical advice in the areas of natural family planning, hormone health, cycle tracking, and more!
A little extra support from an expert can go a long way
Book an online consultation with one of our Hormone Health Coaches.
Schedule NowWhen Does Egg White Discharge Occur?
We know that egg white discharge occurs during the fertile window (i.e. when you’re at peak fertility), but when exactly does the fertile window occur?
For the average 28-day cycle, ovulation occurs around cycle day 14. For argument’s sake, this means the fertile window (and the presence of egg white discharge) can last from cycle day 10 to cycle day 15. However, it’s important to remember that only an estimated 16% of women actually have a 28-day cycle – meaning fertility windows, ovulation dates, and symptoms vary greatly among individuals.
The best way to anticipate your unique fertile window is by keeping track of your cycle characteristics and trends – such as the start/end dates of your period, the dates when you experience an increase in egg white discharge, and any changes to basal body temperature (BBT). For the most accurate estimation, you can also track your fertility hormones directly with the Mira Monitor and Wands – which enable you to estimate your fertile window, predict ovulation, and confirm when ovulation occurred. All from the comfort of your home and with lab-grade accuracy!
Other Common Types of Discharge
Before you can really detect egg white discharge with confidence, it’s important to be aware of the many other types of discharge you may experience. Here is a list of the common types of discharge and what they mean.
- Black – May occur at the start and/or end of menstruation. When not associated with menstruation, it may be a sign of miscarriage, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), and other health complications.
- Brown – Typically occurs at the start and/or end of menstruation. It may also be caused by ovulation bleeding or implantation bleeding.
- Gray – Associated with bacterial vaginosis (BV), yeast infections, and in rare cases cancer.
- Pink – Typically associated with spotting that occurs right before menstruation, right after menstruation, or during ovulation (this is known as ovulation bleeding).
- Red – Most commonly associated with menstruation. However, it can also be caused by implantation bleeding, hormonal changes, infection, and in rare cases cancer.
- White – White/clear discharge that feels wet or slippery in texture typically occurs around ovulation and when sexually aroused. Off-white discharge is associated with leukorrhea, which is a normal type of discharge that can appear anytime throughout the menstrual cycle. Off-white discharge is also associated with an imbalance in bacteria, also known as dysbiosis.
- Yellow – Pale yellow discharge that is creamy or thick in texture may occur right before menstruation. Brighter yellow discharge is associated with yeast infections, trichomoniasis, and other sexually transmitted infections.
To learn more about the different types of vaginal discharge, check out our article Vaginal Discharge: Understanding the 6 Common Colors & Causes.
Get to Know Your Body: How to Monitor and Track Discharge
No matter what your fertility goals are, it’s a good idea to keep an eye on how your vaginal discharge changes throughout the menstrual cycle. You can do this each time you go to the bathroom – simply look at the discharge that is left in your underwear or insert two fingers inside the vagina to check (making sure to always wash your hands first).
By regularly checking the color and consistency of your discharge, you can stay in tune with your body and identify your most fertile days. You can also spot potential warning signs of infection or underlying health concerns.
To keep track of how your discharge changes, we recommend using a cycle-tracking app. For example, with the free Mira App, you can log a number of daily symptoms related to your menstrual cycle – such as cervical mucus characteristics, BBT, mood, libido, and more. When tracked over time, you can spot trends, get a feel for your fertile window, and share any noticeable changes or concerns with your doctor.
Tracking Discharge While TTC
It’s important to note there are specific, science-backed methods of tracking cervical mucus that can help individuals plan and avoid pregnancy. The three most common methods include:
- Billings Ovulation Method – Encourages individuals to focus on how cervical mucus ‘feels’ at the vulva (no touching or finger testing required). An individual is considered fertile when cervical mucus feels wet and slippery.
- Creighton Method – Uses daily finger testing to track the volume and characteristics of cervical mucus. An individual is considered fertile when cervical mucus is clear, wet, stretchy, and slippery.
- Two-Day Method – Involves keeping track of the presence of cervical mucus. If cervical mucus is present the day of testing and/or the day prior to testing, then an individual is considered fertile.
To learn more about how cervical mucus changes with fertility, check out our article Cervical Mucus During Ovulation: Look, Feel, Consistency.
When to See a Doctor About Abnormal Discharge
It’s perfectly normal for discharge to change in color and consistency throughout the menstrual cycle. However, it’s important to be aware of what’s not normal and may need medical attention.
You should make an appointment with your healthcare provider immediately if your vaginal discharge is gray, green, or yellow in color. You should also call your provider immediately if the discharge is also accompanied by the following symptoms:
- Abnormal bleeding (i.e. not menstrual bleeding)
- Foul-smelling odor
- Itchiness or soreness in the vaginal area
- Burning or painful sensation while urinating or having sex
- Blisters or sores around the vagina or anus
- Pelvic pain
- Fever, chills, and/or nausea
These symptoms may indicate infection or an underlying medical concern, and it’s important to seek treatment as soon as possible. Common conditions include yeast infection, bacterial vaginosis, trichomoniasis, chlamydia, gonorrhea, and genital herpes. Other health concerns include dysbiosis, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), and in rare cases cancer. Some of these conditions can interfere with your ability to get pregnant, so it’s important to seek advice straight away if you notice any changes to your discharge that feel ‘off’.
Final Thoughts
At Mira, we want to empower you to stay in tune with your body and fertility. To learn more about what your discharge may be saying about your reproductive health, check out the following articles on white, yellow, brown, and black discharge.
If you are actively TTC, you may also find our library of free webinars, ebooks, and fertility blogs helpful for planning a pregnancy.
Frequently Asked Questions
I don’t have discharge at all, am I infertile?
Having minimal discharge does not necessarily mean you are infertile. However, it could make it more difficult to conceive. Common causes of minimal discharge include hormone imbalance, infection, medication, and aging.
If you are concerned about your discharge and how it may be interfering with your fertility, speak to your healthcare provider. They can provide you with the very best advice for your situation.
Can you ovulate without egg white discharge?
Everyone’s body is different, and some individuals may ovulate without having egg white discharge. If you have never experienced egg white discharge, you can track ovulation using alternative methods – such as the calendar method, BBT monitoring, and hormone monitoring.
Is it normal to have egg white discharge after ovulation?
Yes. It’s considered normal to continue to have egg white discharge a day or two after ovulation.
Is it normal to have egg white discharge after sex?
Yes. Arousal discharge can have an egg-white appearance and texture, which you may notice after sex.
Is it normal to have white discharge before your period?
Yes. Before your period, discharge is typically white and may be thicker, creamier, and/or stickier than normal.
Is it normal to have egg white discharge right after your period for five days?
Yes. In cases where ovulation occurs early-on in the menstrual cycle, it’s possible to experience egg white discharge right after a period.
If you are pregnant, will you still get the egg white-like discharge on would-be ovulation days?
No. However, it is common to experience more discharge than normal when pregnant. Discharge during pregnancy is often clear or milky-white in color.
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