Women of all ages know about discharge. It is often yellowish or milky white and slimy, and it originates from the mucous membrane of the vagina. When discharge meets the oxygen in the air, it gets a more yellowish color, which is completely normal.
The following is not valid for women taking birth control.
Discharge and cycle
Dry period
When the woman's menstruation has passed, most will have very little discharge or experience being completely dry. In a 28-day cycle, this period will last for a few days after menstruation ends. Shortly after, the woman's estrogen level will start to rise and there will be more discharge.
Sticky phase
This is followed by a more sticky phase, where the discharge can be more rubbery, sticky, dry and can almost separate a little. During this period, fertility is still very low and there will typically still be more than a week until ovulation at this time
Creamy phase
This marks the more fertile period, when the woman's discharge is whiter and may feel like an elastic and thick lotion that can be stretched a little between the fingers. At this point, it is quite normal for the body to produce more discharge than in the previous days. The period typically lasts a few days
Clear phase / Egg white
The discharge turns into a kind of ovulation mucus, transparent, looks like egg white and is very elastic. The discharge is a sign that you are either ovulating soon or in the process right now. This is the period where you are most fertile. Read more about when it is best to have sex in connection with ovulation here: When should I have sex if I want to get pregnant? – Gravidtid Once ovulation has occurred, estrogen levels will fall again, and the woman's discharge will therefore quickly become dry until after the next menstruation cycle. If you want to confirm that there is ovulation, this can be done with an ovulation test. See our selection here: Ægløsningstests – Gravidtid
Source: Sundhed.dk, Babyinstituttet.dk, Netdoktor.dk