Why do i get stringy discharge

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? Each change serves its own function. Sperm that enters the vagina before ovulation can be suspended in this fluid, allowing it to survive longer in the otherwise acidic vaginal environment 1.

Sperm can start to swim through creamy discharge from about day 9 of a day cycle 1. When ovulation does occur, the stretchy egg-white fluid becomes the easiest fluid type for sperm to swim through 6. Slower swimmers get left behind, as do sperm with other motility or structural abnormalities 2,8. After ovulation when the window of potential pregnancy has closed, cervical fluid becomes a barrier, preventing sperm from entering the upper reproductive tract.

The progesterone produced by your ovary in your luteal phase acts similarly to the progestin in a progesterone-only birth control. It turns cervical fluid sparse and dense with solids, with little water, making it difficult for sperm to get past the cervix 9.

Changes in your cervical fluid pattern can signal a hormonal issue. This will usually be accompanied by changes in the length of your cycle and period. Discharge can also become abnormal if you have an infection.

Signs of abnormal discharge include changes in:. Color : gray, green, yellow, or brown. Volume : significant and unexpected in volume. Certain medications can decrease vaginal discharge and lubrication during sexual activities. Medications that affect estrogen levels can lead to vaginal dryness, which means that a person could see less discharge.

Some common culprits include :. Everyone is different. Normal discharge will be heavier for some people and lighter for others.

Discharge will also vary slightly in both color and odor. According to one older review , changes in vaginal discharge — such as an increase in the amount — are common and not usually a cause for concern. If a person experiences an increase in discharge that is thick, has a strong odor, or is bright yellow or green, it could be a symptom of infection.

Clear, watery discharge is often normal , especially near ovulation. It can also occur as a result of hormonal changes, sexual arousal, or pregnancy. A person should talk to their doctor if changes in their discharge are bothering them.

A person should also see their doctor if their vaginal discharge is accompanied by :. A person should also talk to their doctor if their discharge changes color to yellow or green or becomes clumpy or thicker. These are all symptoms of an infection that likely requires medical attention.

Clear vaginal discharge is typically not a cause for concern. A person may notice additional discharge at different times, such as during sexual arousal or following exercise.

A person should see their doctor if their discharge has a bad odor and there are other symptoms present, such as a rash or a change in color, as these could be symptoms of an infection that requires medical treatment. Vaginal discharge often changes colors, depending on the time of the menstrual cycle.

Some colors indicate that the area is healthy, while others can…. Yellow discharge before a period can have a range of potential causes. Diagnosis depends on the consistency, smell, and color of the discharge.

It may…. Thick, white discharge is a normal part of the menstrual cycle. 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.

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Table of Contents View All. Table of Contents. Normal Discharge. Abnormal Discharge. Common Vaginal Infections. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign Up. What are your concerns? Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

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