Vaginal discharge in a woman is observed throughout her life. Their nature changes not only depending on age, but also depending on the specific day of the menstrual cycle. According to mucous changes, it is possible to recognize ovulation, to determine any pathological changes in the entire reproductive female system. They are simply necessary in order to protect the genital tract from various pathogenic bacteria by creating an acidic environment there, as well as maintaining the health of the entire reproductive system. Below you can familiarize yourself with the characteristics of mucus during ovulation, as well as with its varieties and possible causes of changes.
Causes of discharge
Each month, under the influence of female hormones in one ovary, one egg is prepared for the process of fertilization. During ovulation, this egg leaves its follicle, after which it moves into the uterine cavity through the fallopian tube. This period is best used for conception. That is why various physiological changes occur in a woman’s body that facilitate this process and increase the likelihood of fertilization. One of these changes is the formation of secretions, mucus during ovulation.
Liquefaction of the so-called cervical mucus allows sperm to penetrate the woman’s uterus faster, and also creates a favorable external environment for them.
How long is the selection?
The viscous transparent mucus during ovulation is noticeable only for 2-3 days. In the ovary, after the release of the egg, the hormone progesterone begins to be synthesized. Under the influence of this hormone, the contents of the cervical canal become much denser. Whitish discharge and are a sign of completion of ovulation. This is where the mucus comes from during ovulation.
Determination of ovulation by discharge
If a woman uses the calendar method of protection from unwanted fertilization, then recognizing the period of ovulation by secretions will help her determine the so-called dangerous days for conception. Sperm can survive in the mucous membranes of the vagina and in the neck for 5 days before the immediate release of the oocyte, and then about the same number of days after that. These days are a favorable time for pregnancy.
Creamy whitish dense mucus is the most liquid, viscous, elastic, acquiring the appearance of chicken egg proteins. This occurs directly on the day of ovulation, as well as within 5 days after it.
However, it is worth paying attention to the fact that not all mucus secretions during ovulation can be the absolute norm. Knowing the signs of pathology, a woman can suspect any disease in time, and then consult a doctor.
So, above we examined why mucus is released during ovulation. But what should it be normal? To do this, it is worth studying the characteristics of the discharge.
Mucus Characterization
Discharge of mucus from the cervix is formed as a result of the peculiar work of the glands located in the cervical canal. Under the influence of estrogen hormones in the first phase of the cycle, the amount of this mucus gradually begins to increase, reaching 0.5 ml per day by the time the oocyte enters. During this period, the amount of water in it increases, which at the same time amounts to at least half of the total volume of secretions. That's why watery mucus is released during ovulation.
A mixture of proteins (mucin and other peptides) and water forms a hydrogel. This hydrogel is characterized by increased elasticity and ductility. Cyclic changes in cervical secretion during ovulation is a very important factor that determines the successful entry of sperm for fertilization into the uterus.
Norm
What should be normal discharge? As a rule, they are light. But you should pay attention to the fact that during ovulation, mucus with blood or slightly pinkish is also not a sign of any gynecological pathologies.
How many days the nature of the discharge changes
Immediately after the end of menstruation, the secret will be more meager, dense. About 5 days before future ovulation, the mucus gradually begins to liquefy and become the most viscous, elastic. Before ovulation itself, cervical secretions from a dense cork turn into "egg white", which is a transparent discharge, more elastic, which stretches well several centimeters.
During ovulation, mucus leaves weak, pink (1.5-2 weeks before menstruation). This occurs when a mature egg leaves the follicle. At this time, the level of estrogen hormones is increasing, as well as a slight rejection of the internal tissues of the uterus - the endometrium. All this is accompanied by mild bleeding. These signs occur in almost a third of women, while being the absolute norm.
If a lot of mucus of a pinkish tint appeared during ovulation, it must be taken into account that the probability of conception is somewhat reduced, because the rejected endometrium will reduce the functionally suitable surface of the uterus for implantation of a fertilized egg.
When a woman gave birth to a baby recently, pinkish discharge may be in her case when ovulation is restored.
In parallel with a change in the nature of the mucus during ovulation, the photos of which look unaesthetically, and therefore are not placed in the article, the fair sex can detect other symptoms:
- characteristic soreness of various localization;
- increase in basal temperature;
- strong sexual desire;
- engorgement and pain localized in the mammary glands.
Ovulation without mucus
In many women, no external signs and changes in the body occur when the egg leaves the ovary. Dryness in the vagina is a very common problem that interferes with normal conception. This symptom can be caused by a low level of the hormone estrogen, as well as the individual characteristics of the woman's body.
The absence of mucus during ovulation, before or after this period, does not mean that there was no ovulation, and even more so, this does not mean that infertility develops. Although sperm entering the uterus is somewhat difficult at the same time, pregnancy is still possible, especially during the “fertile window” - in the next 5 days before and after leaving the ovary.
Diagnostics
Assessing the characteristics of cervical mucus is one of several methods for determining the ovulation period that gynecologists have previously used. The extensibility of the secretions for this was determined using special tweezers, which were used to trap mucus from the external opening of the cervical canal and then stretch it. During ovulation, the size of the divergence of the forceps jaws with a continuous thread of mucus should be 8-12 cm. In other periods of the cycle, it is usually no more than 4 cm.
The sensitivity of this diagnostic method for discharge normally does not exceed 50%. The same principle will be in the home method for detecting the extensibility of cervical mucous secretions, when the representative of the fair sex of the vaginal discharge independently stretches between the fingers. Depending on the increase in the length of the continuous mucous filament, you can approximately determine the time that will be favorable for the conception process.
If, during ovulation, the resulting mucus is put on glass and dried, then under a multiple increase under a microscope, the secretions will acquire a characteristic pattern in the form of a fern leaf. This is due to the increased content of salts and mucin (slimy protein) in it, crystallizing with the formation of strips. This diagnosis is used only in some reusable test systems to determine ovulation.
To assess the properties of cervical mucus, specialists use a special scoring system. This system is used in reproductology during the examination of patients suffering from infertility. Their assessment of 10 or more points is the norm, a smaller number is a sign of a pathological change.
The following characteristics are taken into account:
- Quantity: lack of mucus - 0; 0.1 ml of mucus - 1; 0.2 ml of mucus - 2; 0.3 ml of mucus or more - 3 points.
- Mucus consistency: viscous, dense mucus - 0; insignificant - 1; watery mucus - 2 points.
- Crystallization of mucus: atypical mucus - 1; fern leaf pattern with branches of the 1st and 2nd orders - 2; branches on the pattern of 3rd and 4th orders - 3 points.
- Extensibility of mucus when captured by forceps: extensibility up to 1 cm - 0; extensibility from 1 to 4 cm - 1; extensibility from 5 to 8 cm - 2; elongation of 9 or more cm - 3 points.
Other indicators that affect the "quality" of discharge during ovulation:
- the presence of dead immune, epithelial cells during microscopic examination;
- acidity during ovulation should be 7.0-8.0 (acidification of the medium immobilizes sperm, it is observed in the presence of vaginal infections);
- the symptom of the “pupil”, which is an expansion before the phase of ovulation of the external uterine pharynx up to 3 cm.
Pathological changes
What mucus during ovulation is the norm, we have sorted. However, her condition may speak of some developing pathologies. The nature of the described discharge usually does not change in one patient for several cycles in a row. The appearance of an unusual sign, for example, strongly brown mucus during ovulation, is an occasion to consult a doctor.
Bloody issues
Such discharge is caused by diseases of the reproductive organs of a non-inflammatory and inflammatory nature. Such intermenstrual bleeding, as a rule, is observed with uterine myoma or endometrial polyps.
Other causes of such blood impurities:
- hormonal disorders;
- polycystic ovary;
- hypothyroidism;
- thrombocytopathy, a decrease in the number of platelets in hematological diseases;
- endometrial hyperplasia;
- side effects after the use of oral contraceptives.
In the middle of the cycle, bleeding can be a sign of cervical cancer or uterine body, vaginal injury.
As for brown discharge, they are most often caused by the release of residues of the already torn endometrium, as well as blood after menstruation. During ovulation, the cervix softens, then it opens, which helps to cleanse the entire organ cavity from various unnecessary substances. Spotting short-term discharge during ovulation should not disturb a woman, if they are rarely observed.
Dark permanent discharge can occur with the following pathologies:
- severe fragility of blood vessels due to a lack of vitamin C or rutin;
- severe liver disease;
- dysbiosis, vaginal infections, candidiasis.
Sometimes brown discharge is a sign of implantation bleeding. It is caused by damage to the walls of the endometrium in the case of the introduction of an already fertilized egg into it. You can think about this probability if the last intimate contact was no later than 5 days before.
Yellow slime
Such discharge in most cases is associated with bacterial vaginosis, which is a condition when pathogenic microorganisms begin to multiply on the vaginal mucosa instead of natural microflora, which do not cause inflammation, but lead to an unpleasant odor, itching, burning, and conception problems.
With the development of vaginosis, do not douche, use tampons. It is better to use special sanitary pads, washed daily with plain running water.
Yellow mucus may accompany the following infections: chlamydia, candidiasis, gonorrhea. Allocations are accompanied by an unpleasant odor, itching, swelling, redness of the genitals, a burning sensation during urination, pain during sexual intercourse. In the event of any of the symptoms, a doctor's consultation is necessary.
Copious secretion
When a woman has irregular, abundant discharge, it is also necessary to consult a doctor. These signs are not associated with ovulation and serve as a signal of gynecological diseases. In the case of mucous spotting during menopause, you should consult a doctor, as this may be an early signal of the oncological process.
Conclusion
Any woman should be able to distinguish between a normal pinkish tint of discharge from bleeding. If in doubt, consult a doctor to get timely medical attention.