Egg white discharge, also known as cervical mucus, usually occurs during the fertile period. It is a completely normal and common finding in women who menstruate. You may notice more discharge on your ovulation day.
Normally, when you have this type of discharge, you may also notice a mild pain in the lower abdomen. This is usually a sign of a mature egg being released by the ovaries and traveling to the fallopian tubes.
Cervical mucus is an important indicator of vaginal and reproductive health in women, therefore it is important to be aware to any changes to its color, smell or thickness.
Clear discharge without odor
Clear discharge that looks like egg whites can occurs a few days before menstruation. It is a common sign of the fertile period, and it may occur with other symptoms like increased libido and appetite.
To confirm whether your clear discharge is cervical mucus related to your fertile period, there are some characteristics that can be observed, such as:
- A semi-transparent discharge with an elastic consistency. It is usually not sticky and is very similar to egg whites.
- You may notice that the discharge dries after urination, as the genital area becomes very slippery.
After noting these characteristics, the cervical mucus can become even more transparent and have a thicker viscosity, like gelatin.
Egg white discharge will still occur in women who have had their ovaries tied, because this mucus is triggered by ovarian changes, and ovaries remain intact after this procedure.
Clear discharge with foul odor
If your discharge has a foul odor or is accompanied by other symptoms, like burning with urination and during sex, this may be the start of a fungal or bacterial infection. If left untreated, the discharge can change colors, become yellow or green, and have scant amounts of blood. If you experience these symptoms, you should have your discharge assessed by a doctor so that testing and appropriate treatment can be initiated. Learn more about the different types of vaginal discharge and how they are treated.
Clear discharge with blood
Abundant clear discharge with scant amounts of blood, or with a pinkish tinge, can indicate fertilization, which is when a sperm was able to enter an egg, resulting in pregnancy. This is usually one of the first signs of pregnancy, although it may not be noticed by all women. Learn more about the causes of pink vaginal discharge.
What to do: The best way to confirm pregnancy is wait for your period to be delayed and then test. Learn more about how to complete a pregnancy test at home. You can also perform a blood test, which is a more specific test that can detect the presence of hCG and evaluate the levels in the blood. Learn more about how the hCG levels are interpreted.
If you suspect pregnancy, report your symptoms below to evaluate your risk.
Clear discharge during pregnancy
It is very common to experience an increase in clear discharge during pregnancy. This is a normal finding, and it occurs due to increased blood circulation in the area as well as an increased production of hormones. Learn more about discharge that can occur during pregnancy.
In this case, the discharge should be odorless and less sticky. It is not a sign of ovulation, but rather just an increase in vaginal discharge. Nonetheless, you should monitor for any changes to color or smell, and report any changes to your obstetrician.
