Egg white cervical mucus typically occurs a few days before ovulation. Cervical mucus is thin during this time of the month, making it easier to conceive.
The consistency and quality of cervical mucus changes after ovulation and after your menstrual cycle. It thickens after ovulation. And after your period, your cervical glands stop producing mucus until it’s time to ovulate again.
Cervical Mucus Timeline
Everyone’s cervical fluid is slightly different. So, to detect fertile discharge, a person should monitor their cycle for several months.
The days that discharge changes vary from person to person. Those who ovulate later in their cycle, for example, should expect fertile discharge after day 14.
In general, the cycle of discharge follows this pattern:
- Early cycle (days 1–5): This is when menstruation occurs.
- Post-period (days 5–10): At first, there may be little or no discharge, but sticky, glue-like fluid may follow. This is a time of low fertility.
- Pre-ovulation (days 10–14): The body starts to produce more estrogen. The sticky fluid may thin and look cloudy. Eventually, it gets slippery and begins to look like egg whites.
- Ovulation (day 14): On the day of ovulation, many notice that their cervical fluid is very wet and viscous. A person may be able to stretch the fluid an inch or more between their fingers.
- Post-ovulation (days 14–22): After ovulation, the body releases the hormone progesterone, which dries up cervical fluid. The discharge may look cloudy at first, then become thicker.
- Pre-period (days 22–28): As a period approaches, the discharge may have a glue-like consistency again. There tends to be little or no discharge 1–2 days before menstruation. Some people notice spotting just before their period.
Ovulation plays a significant role in determining the consistency of cervical fluid. A person who does not ovulate may notice fewer changes in their vaginal discharge.
A person who ovulates very late or early may find that their cycle does not follow the “typical” schedule.
