Gaining insight into the vaginal discharge changes prior to ovulation can be very beneficial to your fertility cycle. Significant changes occur in the nature of discharge as the body gets ready for ovulation. A change in consistency and color may be noticeable during this phase; this is a typical aspect of the menstrual cycle.
Before ovulation, discharge usually turns translucent, slick, and elastic, like raw egg whites. This kind of discharge increases the likelihood of conception by facilitating sperm passage through the cervix more easily. For those who are attempting to conceive, observing these changes can be beneficial as they indicate the ideal time for sexual activity.
Since these subtle indicators can differ from person to person, it’s critical to pay attention to them. Regular discharge monitoring can help you effectively plan for or avoid pregnancy by providing a clearer picture of your fertility patterns.
General information
The female body functions cyclically. And in a healthy woman of reproductive age, the maturation of the germ cell usually occurs once a month, which gives her the opportunity to conceive a child. The germ cell matures in the follicle on the surface of the ovaries. And this process takes up the first half of the menstrual cycle. In the middle of the cycle, the thinning and rupture of the follicle membranes occurs, and the oocyte, ready to merge with the sperm, leaves the vesicle and enters the abdominal cavity, and is then captured by the ampullar part of the fallopian tube. It is in it that, under favorable circumstances, fertilization will take place. The process of the release of a mature egg is called ovulation. It, like all other phases of the female menstrual cycle, is regulated by hormones: FSH promotes follicle growth, estrogen – egg maturation and the production of luteinizing hormone, which thins the follicular membranes and leads to their rupture.
- Menstruation
- Ovulation
- High probability of conception
14 days prior to the commencement of the menstrual cycle (or, on a 28-day cycle, on the 14th day), ovulation takes place. Since there is often variance from the average value, the computation is imprecise.
In addition to the calendar method, you can check cervical mucus, measure basal temperature, use special tests or mini-microscopes, and test for progesterone, estrogens, LH, and FSH.
Ultrasound folliculometry can be used to determine the day of ovulation with certainty.
- Losos, Jonathan B.; Raven, Peter H.; Johnson, George B.; Singer, Susan R. Biology. New York: McGraw-Hill. pp. 1207-1209.
- Campbell N. A., Reece J. B., Urry L. A. e. a. Biology. 9th ed. — Benjamin Cummings, 2011. — p. 1263
- Tkachenko B. I., Brin V. B., Zakharov Yu. M., Nedospasov V. O., Pyatin V. F. Human Physiology. Compendium / Ed. B. I. Tkachenko. — M.: GEOTAR-Media, 2009. — 496 p.
- https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/Овуляция
Because the cervix and vaginal receptors are so sensitive to changes in hormone levels, the discharge changes throughout the course of the cycle. And it’s precisely on this ability that the method for figuring out when a woman is fertile is based; based on the type of discharge, a woman can tell with ease when she will ovulate and when would be the best time to conceive.
A combination of cervical and vaginal secretions make up discharge. The fluid secreted by the cervical canal, a narrow isthmus that connects the uterine cavity and vagina inside the cervix, is assigned a specific function.
Cervical mucus shields a woman’s reproductive organs from entering the body when pathogenic microbes and viruses are present, making conception impossible on those days. Cervical mucus assumes additional roles during periods of high fertility; its alkaline environment partly lowers the vagina’s acidity, increasing the likelihood that sperm will survive in an aggressively acidic environment; it also facilitates the movement of male reproductive cells; and, according to some researchers, it functions as a porous filter that partially withholds defective male reproductive cells to increase the likelihood of conceiving a viable, healthy offspring.
Changes in secretion – norms
In the first half of the female cycle, while the follicle is still maturing on the surface of the ovary, and the egg is developing in it, the secretions perform only their protective function, without taking part in the reproductive. There are few of them, this period is called "dry". When the dominant follicle reaches a critical size and is ready to release an egg, estrogen levels rise, and a sharp increase in LH hormone levels begins. These changes cannot go unnoticed by the receptors of the cervical canal, sensitive to sex hormones. For them, this is a signal that soon it will be necessary to ensure the transport and safety of spermatozoa. Dischargeintensifies 2-3 times, the cervical canal opens slightly, the cervix rises and softens.
Preovulatory discharge is typically transparent and mucous; their consistency also varies, becoming sticky and viscous.
They stretch several centimeters when you squeeze them between two fingers, much like a raw chicken egg white. This consistency of discharge is what will enable the man’s reproductive cells to withstand the vagina’s acidic environment, the cervical canal, and the uterine cavity, where they will come into contact with the egg that has been released from the follicle.
The typical mucus discharge that precedes ovulation typically manifests two to three days prior to ovulation, and occasionally one to two days before the estrogen peak. The precise day of ovulation determines how long they should last. Immediately following the rupture of the follicular membrane, the corpus luteum, a transient gland, takes its place. It starts secreting progesterone right away, another sex hormone that controls the entire second half of the female cycle.
Progesterone thickens and decreases the secretion of cervical mucus. Thus, the discharge starts to thicken 36 hours or even a day after ovulation. They turn white, become opaque, lose their viscosity, and secrete two to three times less.
If conception has taken place, a mucous plug in the cervical canal starts to form. This plug will consistently seal the uterine cavity against any threat originating from the vagina during the pregnancy and will only come out prior to delivery.
To put it simply, the discharge stays viscous for as long as the female body is capable of conception and the egg is alive. According to statistics, a woman’s reproductive cell has a 24- to 36-hour lifespan. If there hasn’t been conception by then, it dies. This cycle ends with the possibility of pregnancy.
| Type of Discharge | Description |
| Dry or sticky | Usually happens right after your period. It feels dry or slightly sticky. |
| Creamy or lotion-like | This discharge is thicker and white, resembling lotion, and appears as ovulation approaches. |
| Watery or thin | As you get closer to ovulation, the discharge becomes more watery and slippery. |
| Egg white consistency | Just before ovulation, the discharge is stretchy and clear, similar to raw egg whites. |
Knowing the various forms of discharge prior to ovulation will make it easier for you to monitor your cycle and identify the days that are most fertile. Understanding these variations can help you gain important understanding of your body’s innate rhythms.
Ovulation is likely to occur if you observe a clear, elastic, or egg-white-like discharge. The likelihood of conception is increased when sperm pass through the cervix more readily, as this kind of discharge does.
Whether you’re trying to get pregnant or you just want to know more about your cycle, you can plan ahead of time by being aware of these subtle changes. It’s a simple method to maintain awareness of your body and its functions.
Many women experience a change in vaginal discharge prior to ovulation; it becomes clear, pliable, and resembles egg whites. This kind of discharge is a normal indicator of fertility because it facilitates sperm motility and survival. Keeping an eye on these modifications can help you keep track of ovulation and gain a better understanding of the body’s cycle.
