Egg white cervical mucus refers to the texture of the mucus secreted by the cervix directly before and during ovulation. While mucus during the rest of the menstrual cycle is typically rubbery, thick, or nonexistent, mucus during ovulation is stretchy, slippery, and generally higher in volume. This allows sperm to swim through the vagina more easily and offers protection against the acidic nature of the vagina.
A woman's body is specially made to conceive and care for a growing baby. Just before ovulation, the follicles, which hold each maturing egg inside the ovaries, start secreting a hormone that signals the cervix to start making egg-white cervical mucus. It is secreted by small cavities in the cervix in large quantities to help sperm through the vagina and into the uterus. Without this thick protective layer, the sperm cells would die due to the high acid content of the vagina.
Many women can use the presence or lack of egg white cervical mucus to predict when ovulation will occur. The mucus usually starts several days before ovulation and then ends within a day or so once it occurs. Women who want to get pregnant will know to have sex during this time. Those who do not want to have a baby will know to refrain from having sex. This method by itself is not considered reliable birth control by most health professionals, although some research suggests that it is effective when used correctly.
The absence of egg white cervical mucus for more than a month may indicate a lack of ovulation. This can happen for a number of reasons, although it usually involves a hormonal imbalance. Women will need to learn their own mucus patterns before deciding if fertile mucus is present. To do this, it is necessary to observe the discharge for several months. It will normally be sticky or rubbery for weeks after your period and again after ovulation, with a period in between when it appears bulky and slippery.
Taking basal body temperature throughout the month in correlation with cervical mucus monitoring can help women decipher which discharge is fertile and which is not. The temperature tends to rise just after ovulation and stays higher until after the menstrual period has taken place. A consistently high temperature can indicate pregnancy, especially when accompanied by a late or missed period.
Egg white cervical mucus may appear slightly different in each woman. Some may experience very thick, clear and slippery mucus. Others may have discharge that is slightly white or off-white in color. Most notice that the mucus becomes stretchy, much like raw egg whites, during this time. It should also be odorless and should never be green, yellow, or brown in color.