Most women have vaginal discharge during ovulation, as well as at other times during the monthly cycle. In general, it is possible for a woman to know whether or not she is ovulating by examining the appearance of her vaginal discharge at different times of the month. The discharge usually has a different appearance and texture, depending on where a woman is in her cycle. The discharge during ovulation is normally light in color and very stretchy, similar to raw egg whites.
Many women may not notice a discharge during ovulation, but in most cases it is present. If a woman doesn't notice discharge around the time she should be ovulating, it may not have occurred that month. However, in most cases, the woman probably ovulated and only had a small amount of vaginal discharge. If ovulation does not occur during a random month, this is not necessarily a cause for concern. Some women may skip ovulation occasionally, and it should only be something to worry about if it happens regularly.
Right after the monthly menstrual period, most women may experience little or no vaginal discharge. When a woman is nearing ovulation, her discharge may appear slightly thick in texture and white in color. During ovulation, vaginal discharge is normally stretchy and clear. There may also be more than other times during the month. When it is time for the menstrual period to start again, the amount of vaginal discharge usually decreases and it feels stickier when touched.
Some women rely on the presence of discharge during ovulation for the purpose of trying to conceive. When a woman is ovulating, the chances of pregnancy are higher. In addition to monitoring vaginal discharge, it can be helpful for a woman who wants to conceive to monitor her basal body temperature. This is normally done by tracking your body temperature every day for the month and noticing the changes during ovulation. Body temperature usually rises by about half a degree on the day of ovulation and again just after ovulation.
Noticing the discharge during ovulation also helps some women prevent pregnancy. Women who practice this method of birth control notice the flow of ovulation and avoid intercourse during that time. Unfortunately, this is not generally considered a reliable form of birth control because pregnancy can occur at any time during the cycle. Doctors often recommend condoms as a backup form of contraception for women using this method.