Causes of discharge before and after ovulation
The first period of menstruation occurs at the beginning of monthly discharge, at which time the egg prepares for fertilization. After it matures, ovulation occurs and on this day the probability of conception is high. If this does not happen, the egg dies.
Next, the second period of the cycle begins, during which a lot of progesterone is produced to form the corpus luteum and prepare the uterus to receive the embryo. The menstrual cycle repeats if fertilization does not occur.
All these natural processes are accompanied by various symptoms, color and consistency of vaginal discharge. Any change in mucus may be normal or indicate a disorder in the female reproductive system.
Throughout the menstrual period, discharge changes due to the amount of hormones, which constantly increases or decreases. Estrogen increases in the first half of the cycle, and from the second half without ovulation, the hormone progesterone increases to prepare the woman for the new cycle.
Opinion of gynecologists
The modern rhythm of life, unfortunately, is not favorable for women's health. For centuries, nature has been “tuning” a girl’s reproductive system for pregnancy, birth and breastfeeding. However, more and more often the need to build a career, “live for oneself”, and fulfill some dream comes to the fore. In addition, sexual abstinence is not held in high esteem among modern youth. As a result, according to doctors, every second woman has problems related to gynecology. And it is unacceptable to ignore any symptoms indicating a malfunction of the reproductive system. Even if nothing worries you, both the cycle and discharge are normal, gynecologists advise undergoing a routine examination every six months, which includes:
- ultrasound examination of the pelvic organs;
- external examination by a gynecologist;
- internal inspection using special mirrors;
- taking a smear to assess the condition of the vaginal microflora.
In addition, if the gynecologist deems it necessary, he may prescribe a cytological examination or colposcopy to exclude or diagnose cervical pathologies. Some doctors believe that these studies should be included in the list of mandatory ones and performed regularly, regardless of the presence of complaints.
Gynecology today is perhaps one of the most developing branches in medicine. It will not be difficult to visit a doctor at a convenient time in one of the many centers, offices and clinics. Therefore, if you find any strange symptoms, in the case of discharge that does not correspond to the phase of the cycle, the right decision is not to look for an answer on the Internet, but to take the time to visit a gynecologist.
First phase of cycle and excretion
Cervical mucus changes throughout the cycle and this is considered normal. There are several types of secretion. In the first days after the end of menstruation, there is very little mucus, and there is slight dryness in the vagina. During such a period, a woman does not have the opportunity to become pregnant. Then its consistency changes and becomes like glue. There is still no possibility of conception.
After a few days, the thickness of the mucus decreases and it becomes white or yellowish in color. Spermatozoa thrive in such an environment, so it is imperative to protect yourself. Immediately before ovulation, the secreted secretion changes its structure and volume.
Rules of intimate hygiene
Intimate hygiene is a very important component of daily self-care. Throughout life, the external genitourinary organs must be provided with the required care. It must be delicate. If you neglect intimate hygiene, then in the end this may have a bad effect on their condition and the health of the girl herself. Overly aggressive cleansing also has a negative effect.
When performing hygiene procedures, you should not use plain or antibacterial soap. For this purpose, special products are provided that are softer and have a special balanced pH level. Frequent douching is also not recommended, because it negatively affects the vaginal mucosa.
When washing, you can use decoctions of some herbs that have a mild anti-inflammatory effect. For example, chamomile, calendula, etc.
When using sanitary pads - panty liners or otherwise - they should be changed more frequently. This will help prevent the proliferation of pathogenic microorganisms. In addition, it is important for both partners to wash themselves before and after sexual intercourse. Such procedures will help maintain normal genital health.
Thus, mucus, which looks like egg white, indicates that the female body is functioning correctly. This means that the woman has not lost her reproductive function. When performing regular intimate hygiene, the secretion, its color and smell should not change. If any changes occur, this indicates the development of pathology and you need to visit a doctor.
Mucus the day before ovulation
Discharge changes before ovulation due to hormones. They resemble the consistency of raw egg whites and also stretch between your fingers. The mucus acquires a watery structure and is elastic. A peculiar change can be seen exactly one day or several hours before the release of the egg, depending on the individual characteristics of the woman. It is difficult to determine the exact period of appearance of such a secretion, but most often it happens a day before ovulation.
The discharge continues like egg white after ovulation, since the hormone estrogen is produced in the female body for a few more days. When its amount drops, the mucus becomes thicker and decreases in volume. During this period, a woman can easily become pregnant.
Basic functions of selections
During the entire cycle, the cervix secretes lubricant in varying amounts due to the production of hormones. Immediately after menstruation and before ovulation, mucus performs a protective function for the uterus so as not to allow pathogenic microorganisms into it.
The passage for sperm is also difficult, since the time for receiving a fertilized egg has not yet come. It is for these reasons that there is vaginal dryness in the first days after menstruation, the cervix is still drooping and hard, and a plug of thick mucus forms in it to protect it.
For successful follicle maturation, it is necessary for estrogen levels to increase, which occurs in the first phase before ovulation. The hormone stimulates the cervix, and the secretion increases in volume. Sperm easily penetrate through the liquefied mucus into the fallopian tubes, where they wait for an egg from two to seven days. This consistency of the secreted secretion is explained by the preservation of sperm for several days for further fertilization.
After ovulation, mucus changes its character and quantity, because if conception does not occur, the body should prepare for a new cycle and the maturation of the egg. In the second period of the cycle, there is an increased release of hormones in preparation for the next conception of a child. During the luteal or corpus luteum phase, the mucus becomes thicker.
What is considered normal
Discharge after the end of ovulation is not a pathology, but represents a natural process of preparation for conception. They look like the white of a raw egg, should stretch between your fingers, appear a few hours before ovulation and can remain like that for another 2 or 3 days. Their color is transparent, there is no itching, burning or odor changes.
Its color sometimes changes to pale pink or yellowish, which is due to rupture of the follicle and is not a deviation from the norm. During such changes, there may be mild nagging pain in the lower abdomen, which disappears one or two days after ovulation, when the mucus becomes thicker and opaque due to the release of progesterone.
It is also normal to have creamy or white mucus that comes out of the vagina without odor or other symptoms. Often such discharge is confused with thrush, the characteristic feature of which is a sour odor and a cheesy consistency. A large amount of watery secretion appears when a woman is aroused during sexual intercourse. If they are not accompanied by a bad odor or blood, there is nothing to worry about.
If you have such symptoms, you should not consult a doctor, because if there is no pregnancy, the cycle will repeat all over again. If there are any doubts about her health, it is better for a woman to consult a doctor, undergo a gynecological examination, an ultrasound scan if necessary, and donate blood tests and cultures for vaginal microflora.
Useful tips
Simple recommendations will help you navigate your reproductive health more easily and maintain it for many years.
- When assessing the nature of cervical mucus, always confirm the data obtained with other methods - measuring basal temperature, ovulation tests. This will help to quickly distinguish normal from pathology, and the onset of a fertile period from an infertile one.
- If discharge during ovulation causes discomfort, use sanitary pads, but avoid using tampons . Their use can cause stagnation of cervical fluid in the vagina and the development of bacterial vaginosis.
- If you are too diligent in washing off cervical mucus or douching, you can overdo it , which will jeopardize not only the likelihood of conception, but also your health, because a small amount of mucus increases the likelihood of penetration of pathogenic bacteria.
- During ovulation, wear loose underwear made from natural materials . Such underwear does not compress and does not interfere with blood circulation.
- When the characteristic sticky mucus appears, a woman who is planning a pregnancy should begin to have unprotected sexual intercourse , and women who want to avoid pregnancy should refrain from unprotected contact, paying sufficient attention to contraceptive methods.
A specialist in the symptothermal method for determining fertility talks in more detail about the reliability of the method for determining cervical mucus in the video below.
medical reviewer, psychosomatics specialist, mother of 4 children
Shortly before ovulation, the discharge (cervical fluid) becomes copious and resembles raw egg white. Transparent and slippery (stretch more than 4 cm). The woman feels increased humidity. In such an environment, it is much easier for sperm to overcome the cervix. This is the most favorable time to plan a child.
In this article we will dwell in detail on such a delicate topic as vaginal discharge, we will describe how the nature, color and amount of vaginal secretion changes according to the phases of the monthly cycle. This is another method of calculating favorable days for conception.
