Vaginal discharge is a constant in every woman's fertile life. But not all are the same: depending on the period and the reason for which they appear, they can be of different color, consistency and quantity. Those white similar to egg whiteusually indicate that you are close to ovulating or are already ovulating. If you are looking for a child, then, now is the perfect time to try to conceive. On the contrary, if you don't want to become pregnant, be especially careful. However, whitish discharge can also be one of the first symptoms of gestation. So let's try to clarify.
In this article
- They are common during ovulation
- A sign not to be underestimated
- When they are a symptom of pregnancy
- The other causes
They are common during ovulation
During the menstrual cycle, which on average lasts 28 days and begins on the first day of menstruation, the glands of the uterus produce cervical mucus. It is a viscous substance, varying in color from whitish to yellowish and composed of filaments. It does not always remain the same, but changes characteristics in relation to the phases of the cycle.
Typically, mucus is released in small amounts at the beginning and end of your period, which is why you may not even notice any kind of discharge. Near ovulation, the phase of the cycle in which the oocyte is released (the mature egg cell), on the other hand, the mucus it is produced in abundant quantities. Not only: it also becomes more fluid, streamlined and elastic, similar to egg white. Many women, at this stage, have such heavy losses that they have to resort to panty liners.
The white losses similar to egg whites have a very specific function: they serve for favor conception. This explains why they appear right at the moment of ovulation, when the oocyte is ready to be fertilized by the spermatozoa in case of sexual intercourse. If the mucus is fluid and abundant, in fact, the passage and ascent of the spermatozoa from the vagina towards the fallopian tubes and the uterus, where the oocyte is located, is easier. Furthermore, the mucus supplies the spermatozoa with a whole series of nutrients, making them stronger and more vital and, therefore, further increasing the chances of conception.
Read also: Fertility tests to identify the days of ovulationA sign not to be underestimated
Egg white-like losses, therefore, are an important sign for all women. If you are looking for a child, they are your allies: they tell you, in fact, that he is the perfect time to have intercourse and try to conceive.
If, on the other hand, you don't want to become pregnant, they tell you that the moment is particularly at risk and, therefore, that you need to pay even more attention than usual during intimate encounters.
When they are a symptom of pregnancy
However, white discharge similar to egg white is not just a symptom of ovulation. Sometimes, they also appear in pregnancy, especially in first weeks. For what reasons? It all depends on the changes induced in your genital tract by the hormones produced during gestation.
Among other things, hormones tell the mother's body to increase the synthesis of mucus, which in this case does not serve to promote conception, but rather to trap outside germs and ensure the sterility of the environment (it also has bactericidal properties). In this way, harmful microorganisms cannot go back to the uterus and, therefore, reach the embryo, putting it at risk.
This increase in mucus can also cause abundant whitish discharge, which sometimes makes the use of tampons essential. Generally, however, they do not cause burning or irritation.
The other causes
Egg white-like discharge does not always depend on cervical mucus. In some cases, they are the symptom of one vaginal problem. For example, they can be one of the manifestations of the candidiasis, an infection caused by the fungus Candida albicans. If they were due to genital diseases, however, you would also experience other ailments, such as severe irritation, burning and itching in the genitals.
For this reason, it is very important that you learn to know your body and to carefully evaluate the signals it sends you. Depending on the case, whitish leaks could be carriers of good or bad news.
