Egg White Discharge: What It Means and What It Looks Like

Don’t worry if your discharge becomes slippery and transparent (with a consistency and color that’s usually compared to raw egg whites) for a few days during your menstrual cycle. In fact, the change is a sign of health, and it’s beneficial to your fertility.

Read on to learn why and when you might have egg white discharge, how it benefits your fertility, and whether or not you ever need to be concerned about it.

Vaginal discharge consists of cervical and vaginal secretions (i.e., mucus), bacteria, and discarded cells. 1

It’s normal for your discharge’s look and texture to change throughout your monthly menstrual cycle. Your cervical mucus (or cervical fluid) changes due to your fluctuating hormone levels. 2

When the fluid becomes slippery, transparent, and stretchy, people call it “egg white discharge” or “egg white cervical mucus” (EWCM). 2 It’s also sometimes called “fertile mucus.”

When do you get egg white discharge?

You’ll usually see egg white discharge about 1–3 days before you ovulate (when one of your ovaries releases an egg). It signifies you’re entering the most fertile period of your menstrual cycle. If you’re trying to conceive, this is the best time to get busy between the sheets. 2

Again, egg white discharge is just one state of your cervical fluid. The way it looks and feels will change throughout each monthly menstrual cycle: 2

• The fluid will generally be absent during and shortly after your period
• A few days later, you may notice some sticky and rubbery fluid
• As ovulation nears, the fluid will become wet and creamy
• Right before ovulation, the fluid will turn slippery, stretchy, and clear (i.e., egg white discharge)
• After ovulation, it will return to a thicker, stickier state, leaving your vagina relatively dry

In a regular 28-day cycle, ovulation often happens on days 11–14, meaning egg white discharge may appear around days 8–10. 2

Egg white discharge not only helps you identify the approach of ovulation (to time intercourse for the best shot at conception), it also protects and helps sperm reach the egg more efficiently. 2

Unlike other thicker and stickier types of cervical fluid, the slippery and stretchy egg white discharge offers an ideal environment for sperm to swim in. Moreover, its pH levels are suitable for sperm to live in. 3

Many women who are trying to get pregnant monitor their ovulation discharge to pinpoint their fertile windows. Doing so is very easy. Try one of these ways:

• Visual check: Look for this clear, stretchy mucus on your underwear or toilet paper after you wipe.
• Manual check: Wash your hands, then gently insert a clean finger into your vagina to collect some mucus. See if it’s slippery and stretchy, like egg whites.

Note that you should avoid checking your mucus right before or after having sex. Sexual arousal can produce discharge that you may confuse with egg white discharge. Semen can also temporarily change your discharge’s appearance, potentially skewing your assessment.

Other signs your body is close to ovulation

Egg white discharge is one of the most obvious symptoms of ovulation, but you can also look out for other ones, which include: 4 5

• Increased sex drive
• Breast tenderness
• Lower abdomen pain or cramps
• Light spotting
• Bloating
• Mood or appetite changes
• Tiredness (ovulation fatigue) 6

One popular ovulation-tracking method is to chart your basal body temperature (BBT), your body’s lowest temperature at rest. This is usually done the very first thing in the morning. According to proponents of this method, your BBT slightly rises when you ovulate. 7

Keep in mind that this isn’t a very reliable way to predict ovulation, as these BBT fluctuations differ substantially between women and may even vary from month to month, although it doesn’t hurt to try.

Are there tools for tracking ovulation?

In addition to looking for bodily ovulation signs, you can use an ovulation test strip (or ovulation predictor kit) to confirm. The strip will check the level of luteinizing hormone (LH) in your urine, since an LH surge often occurs before ovulation. 8

You can also try using an ovulation calculator, which uses the date of your last period and average cycle length to determine your fertile window.

Yes, it’s possible to get pregnant without producing egg white discharge. However, its absence can make conception more challenging, as it hinders sperm mobility and survival.

You may not produce a lot or any of this fertile discharge due to factors like: 3

• An unhealthy diet
• Stress
• Hormonal imbalances
• Certain prescription medications

Staying hydrated can help improve the quality and quantity of your egg white discharge. 3

If your body seems to consistently fail to produce this discharge, you should schedule a preconception appointment with your doctor to discuss this issue. They can identify the cause and give you tailored advice, such as suggesting dietary supplements or sperm-friendly lubricants.

Egg white discharge is a healthy and normal sign of fertility. However, you should pay attention to other changes in your cervical mucus, which signal a potential health concern (often an infection). Look out for:

• Changes in color or smell: Something is wrong if your discharge discolors (e.g., becomes green, gray, or dark yellow) or develops a strong, unpleasant odor. 1
• Unusual amount: Don’t ignore significant increases or decreases in how much discharge you produce. 1
• Vaginal discomfort: Be aware of vaginal itching, redness, or swelling accompanying your discharge. 9

If you notice any of those symptoms (or any other suspicious ones we didn’t mention), call your doctor right away; don’t self-diagnose. The earlier you receive appropriate treatment, the better your chances of preventing potential health issues are.

Don’t worry if your body produces egg white discharge. To the contrary, it’s a sign that your reproductive system is functioning normally.

Now that you know what it’s supposed to look like and when it usually occurs, you can use it to identify your fertile window and watch for irregularities that warrant medical attention.