If you want to get into it, you can also try dipping fluid-covered fingers into a glass of water. Cervical fluid will either stay stuck to your fingers or will sink to the bottom of the glass in a little clump. Vaginal moisture, on the other hand, will dissolve in the water. It will take some trial and error to find a method that works best for you. Beginning of your cycle: menstruation.
On day one of the cycle, the first day of your period, levels of both estrogen and progesterone are low. Since estrogen levels determine cervical fluid production, the cervix is not producing much fluid at all at this time 4. Just after your period: absent, dry. In the days just after your period, estrogen is rising estrogen is produced by the follicle growing in your ovary as it prepares to release an egg at ovulation.
Leading up to ovulation: sticky, white, creamy, lotion-y. As estrogen levels rise, the cervix produces more fluid.
At first, it might be thick and sticky or tacky, and become more wet and creamy, like a lotion. In a day menstrual cycle, you may first notice this fluid around day 9 or 10 1,4. Around ovulation: eggy, wet, slippery, clear, stretchy.
As ovulation approaches, much more cervical fluid is produced. Your vagina will likely start to feel much wetter, and fluid becomes more slippery as its water content rises. Over a couple of days, fluid becomes stretchier and clearer. As estrogen peaks, 1—2 days before ovulation, cervical fluid often resembles a raw eggwhite that you can stretch for inches between your thumb and finger 4,5.
The amount of vaginal discharge at this time is different for everyone, but it can be up to 10—20 times more than other points in the cycle 6. According to Google, people tend to call this type of cervical fluid "ovulation discharge".
Ovulation tests and basal body temperature tracking is more reliable for confirming ovulation. Luteal phase: sticky, dry. As soon as ovulation is over, vaginal discharge changes once again. Even before you notice a visual change, cervical fluid will already have become more fibrous and difficult for sperm to pass through 1.
In the day or two after ovulation the beginning of the luteal phase , the amount of fluid decreases quickly. Fluid again may become sticky or tacky, or just dry and absent 1,4. Every body is unique—these changes may show up differently for you, or you may experience or interpret them in a different way. So why does your cervical fluid change so much? The treatment for your vaginal discharge will depend on the underlying cause.
For bacterial vaginosis, a prescription is needed. Usually, your healthcare provider will prescribe vaginal metronidazole gel. Knowing what is normal vaginal discharge and what indicates a problem is important at any age.
As you become familiar with what is normal for you, be sure to consult your healthcare provider if you notice any unusual changes. Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Front Microbiol. Human vaginal pH and microbiota: an update. Gynecol Endocrinol. Front Med. Premenstrual vaginal colonization of Candida and symptoms of vaginitis.
J Med Microbiol. Vaginitis: Diagnosis and Treatment. Am Fam Physician. Martin Lopez JE. Candidiasis vulvovaginal. BMJ Clin Evid.
Hay P. Bacterial vaginosis. Efficacy of antifungal drugs in the treatment of vulvovaginal candidiasis: a Bayesian network meta-analysis. Infect Drug Resist. Metronidazole vaginal gel 1. J Low Genit Tract Dis. Your Privacy Rights. To change or withdraw your consent choices for VerywellHealth. At any time, you can update your settings through the "EU Privacy" link at the bottom of any page. These choices will be signaled globally to our partners and will not affect browsing data.
We and our partners process data to: Actively scan device characteristics for identification. White, thick, strong-smelling discharge is usually associated with a yeast infection, which can also cause itching or irritation. If the discharge has a very slight yellow hue, it may not indicate a problem. This is especially likely if the hue only coincides with a change in diet or dietary supplements.
Discharge that is a darker shade of yellow, yellowish-green, or green usually signals a bacterial or sexually transmitted infection. See a doctor promptly if vaginal discharge is thick or clumpy, or it has a foul odor. Pink discharge most commonly occurs with spotting before a period. However, it can also be a sign of implantation bleeding in early pregnancy. Some people experience a little bit of spotting after ovulation, which can also cause pink discharge.
Discharge can be pink after sexual intercourse if the sex has caused small tears or irritation in the vagina or cervix. Most ordinary vaginal discharge is clear or whitish. It may be slippery or have the consistency of egg whites. A person is likely to experience more clear, slippery discharge just before ovulation, during sexual arousal, and during pregnancy.
Gray vaginal discharge is not healthy, and it can be a symptom of a common bacterial infection called bacterial vaginosis BV. Anyone with gray discharge should promptly see a doctor. Following diagnosis, the doctor will usually prescribe antibiotics to treat the BV. See a doctor if vaginal discharge has an unusual smell or appearance. A person should also seek medical care if they experience vaginal symptoms such as:.
The doctor will perform a pelvic exam. They may also need to take a sample of discharge for testing. In most people, infections or hormonal imbalances are responsible for unusual changes in vaginal discharge. Medication may be necessary. A person should see a doctor if they notice irregular changes in vaginal discharge or other symptoms that might indicate a reproductive health issue.
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