woman sat in her underwear holding up two fingers showing vaginal discharge

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Luteal phase discharge: Why it happens & what to expect

Written by

Lucy Abrams-Husso

Lucy Abrams-Husso is an artist and academic who has been working as a researcher for nearly 10 years. Her own experience starting a family motivated her to want to work towards providing others with easy-to-understand, factual, and empathetic resources on topics in women's health, particularly fertility, pregnancy, and postpartum. Lucy recently completed her doctorate degree at the Sibelius Academy of the University of the Arts Helsinki and is based in Helsinki, Finland.

Fact checked by

Dr. Chiara Rizzi

Dr. Chiara Rizzi holds a PhD in Physics, earned at the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) with the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. She has several years of experience in scientific research, statistical analysis, and algorithm development. After working in particle physics and as a Senior Data Scientist in the humanitarian sector, she joined Natural Cycles, where she focuses on data science in the field of female and reproductive health.

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Last updated:

Nov 10, 2026

5 min read

Key takeaways

Luteal phase discharge is typically thicker than the discharge you get around ovulation, it also tends to be whiter in color, and there might be less of it
Vaginal discharge is your vagina’s natural way of staying clean and healthy and is usually nothing to worry about, but sudden changes to discharge or a foul smell can be a sign something is off
The color, amount, and texture of discharge change throughout our menstrual cycles, and can be affected by things like hormonal birth control, pregnancy, and infections

Ever wonder why your discharge looks different at various points in your menstrual cycle? Each of us experiences changes to our vaginal discharge, driven in large part by the hormonal fluctuations that steer our cycle. In this article, we’ll cover luteal phase discharge, including why it happens and what to expect. We’ll also touch on the differences and similarities between premenstrual and early pregnancy discharge, and why discharge isn’t the most reliable signal of pregnancy.

What is discharge?

Vaginal discharge generally describes any fluid that comes out of the vagina throughout your menstrual cycle that is not your period. The vagina is self-cleaning, which means that it keeps itself healthy by releasing different fluids to help ward off infection and stay moisturized. Discharge typically includes cervical mucus, old skin cells, and different bacteria.

The texture, color, and amount of discharge can change over the course of a regular menstrual cycle, but healthy discharge is usually clear or white and has little or no odor. During the follicular phase, which is the first part of your menstrual cycle, discharge can be thick and sticky, changing to a stretchy and slippery texture, like an egg white, around the time of ovulation [4]. Symptoms like irritation, itching, or a strong odor can be a sign of infection or other issue. [1]

What to expect from luteal phase discharge

The luteal phase is the latter part of your menstrual cycle, beginning at ovulation, usually lasting around two weeks [2]. During the luteal phase, fluctuating hormone levels can prompt a variety of physical, mental, and emotional symptoms commonly referred to as premenstrual syndrome, or PMS [3]. Just before and during ovulation, you tend to produce the highest amount of discharge, and it is typically slippery, stretchy, and clearer [4]. White discharge after ovulation can be thicker in texture, and the quantity tends to decrease through the luteal phase. It’s also normal to notice very little or no discharge or even feel a bit dry in the days leading to your period. If you’re on hormonal birth control, it can affect the composition of your discharge, altering its texture and quantity. [1,4,5,8]

Luteal phase discharge vs early pregnancy discharge

Vaginal discharge might not be something you have noticed much before, but if you’re trying to conceive or using cervical mucus monitoring as birth control, changes to discharge can alert you to important fertility stages like ovulation. At the same time, discerning between luteal phase discharge and discharge in early pregnancy is not always easy.

In general, before your period there can be little to no discharge, or discharge that’s cloudy, sticky, lumpy, or dry [5]. If conception occurs, however, the amount of discharge tends to increase [6]. Some people might notice differences between luteal phase and early pregnancy discharge, but the differences might also be subtle or even unnoticeable for others.

Infographic showing two fingers holding a realistic representation of what discharge before period and early pregnancy discharge looks like

Causes of luteal phase discharge

After ovulation, rising progesterone levels reduce the amount of cervical mucus your body produces, which can result in less discharge and/or discharge that’s a different texture than during ovulation [4]. Changing hormone levels also affect the bacterial composition in your vagina. High amounts of estrogen and progesterone after ovulation tend to encourage more lactobacilli, a type of friendly bacteria that help fight infection [1,9]. Luteal phase discharge can also be influenced by things like sexual arousal. This is one of the reasons why using cervical mucus monitoring for fertility awareness can be tricky. Your discharge is affected by a number of different factors including medication, feminine hygiene products, douching, sex, breastfeeding, and even having a pelvic exam [7].

Managing luteal phase discharge

If your discharge is bothering you, it’s always a good idea to talk to a medical professional. That said, there are some steps you can also take at home to manage discharge. For example, it’s recommended to wash the skin around your vagina gently with water and to use only mild, non-perfumed soaps. Soaps and gels with perfumes, vaginal deodorants, scented hygiene wipes, and douching (washing inside your vagina) can actually irritate the area and make any issues worse [8]. If your discharge has a strong odor or changes color, it can be a sign of an infection, requiring a visit to a doctor.

There are also lifestyle and sexual habits that scientists have linked to vaginal imbalance. Smoking, stress, and diets that are high in sugar and fat are all associated with disruption to levels of microbes in your vagina. Research suggests that a balanced diet, managing stress, and quitting smoking can all contribute to a healthier vaginal microbiome. [1,9]

When to talk to a doctor

If your discharge continues to cause disruption, or you experience changes to the smell, color, or texture of your discharge, it’s important to see a doctor to diagnose the underlying cause. Strong odors, pain, or discomfort can be a sign of an infection [8]. It’s also important to consult a healthcare provider if you are ever concerned about your discharge. Even if there isn’t a medical issue, discharge can be bothersome for some people. A professional can help you explore ways to manage it, like probiotics and prebiotics, which some studies suggest may help support a healthy vaginal microbiome [9].

Know your body better with Natural Cycles

Natural Cycles is the first FDA-cleared birth control app. This hormone-free temperature-based technology can also help you plan pregnancy if and when the time is right. Natural Cycles can also help you learn more about what’s going on behind the scenes through your menstrual cycle. The app uses your body’s biomarkers to predict cycle phases, like when you’re going to ovulate and get your period. You can also use the app to track other symptoms such as changes to your cervical mucus, helping you recognize patterns in your cycle. Download our unique Cycle Report for a comprehensive picture of these changes you can easily share with your healthcare provider. Ready to learn more? Why not see if Natural Cycles is right for you today?

1. Holdcroft AM, Ireland DJ, Payne MS. The Vaginal Microbiome in Health and Disease What Role Do Common Intimate Hygiene Practices Play? Microorganisms. 2023 Jan 23;11(2):298. doi: 10.3390/microorganisms11020298.

2. Bull JR, Rowland SP, Scherwitzl EB, Scherwitzl R, Danielsson KG, Harper J. Real-world menstrual cycle characteristics of more than 600,000 menstrual cycles. NPJ Digit Med. 2019 Aug 27;2:83. doi: 10.1038/s41746-019-0152-7.

3. Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) | Office on Women’s Health [Internet]. OASH | Office on Women’s Health. [Cited 2026 Nov 4]. Available from: https://womenshealth.gov/menstrual-cycle/premenstrual-syndrome

4. Najmabadi S, Schliep KC, Simonsen SE, Porucznik CA, Egger MJ, Stanford JB. Cervical mucus patterns and the fertile window in women without known subfertility: a pooled analysis of three cohorts. Hum Reprod. 2021 Jun 18;36(7):1784-1795. doi: 10.1093/humrep/deab049.

5. What’s the cervical mucus method of FAMs? [Internet]. Planned Parenthood. [Cited 2026 Oct 29]. Available from: http://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/birth-control/fertility-awareness/whats-cervical-mucus-method-fams

6. Signs and symptoms of pregnancy [Internet]. nhs.uk. 2025 [Cited 2026 Oct 29]. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/trying-for-a-baby/signs-and-symptoms-of-pregnancy/

7. Fertility Awareness-Based Methods of Family Planning [Internet]. ACOG. [Cited 2026 Nov 5]. Available from: https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/fertility-awareness-based-methods-of-family-planning

8. Vaginal discharge [Internet]. nhs.uk. 2026 [Cited 2026 Oct 29]. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/symptoms/vaginal-discharge/

9. Barrientos-Durán A, Fuentes-López A, de Salazar A, Plaza-Díaz J, García F. Reviewing the Composition of Vaginal Microbiota: Inclusion of Nutrition and Probiotic Factors in the Maintenance of Eubiosis. Nutrients. 2020 Feb 6;12(2):419. doi: 10.3390/nu12020419.

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Frequently asked questions

Vaginal discharge at all stages of your cycle is normal and common. If it doesn't have a strong or unpleasant smell and is clear or white, it’s usually considered healthy and regular [8]. If you’re ever concerned, or if you experience changes to your discharge, it’s important to talk to a doctor to understand what might be the cause. And if you are bothered by your discharge, there are steps you can take to manage discharge.

If you’re keeping track of the days past ovulation, it can be a nerve-wracking time, and you might be on high alert for any signs of pregnancy. Unfortunately, discharge is an unreliable indicator of pregnancy, and it can be really hard to detect any differences between discharge after conception versus premenstrual discharge. The waiting game can be tough, but the best way to know if you’re pregnant is to wait until your period is due and take a pregnancy test.

White discharge after ovulation is common whether you are pregnant or not. In general, the type of discharge you have just before your period and if you are pregnant might not be very different in the early days and weeks of pregnancy. The best way to determine if you’re pregnant is to take a pregnancy test.

Before ovulation, a surge in estrogen causes discharge to become stretchy and slippery, like egg white [4,5]. This can be referred to as high fertility discharge because the timing of ovulation can be used to determine your fertile window, or the days during each cycle when it’s possible to become pregnant. If you’re using Natural Cycles, you’ll have a clear picture of where you are in your cycle and when your peak fertility days are expected, helping you maximize your chances of conception.

The only way to know if you’re pregnant is by taking a pregnancy test. If you’re trying to conceive, keeping an eye out for when discharge becomes stretchy and slippery can help alert you to when you are likely ovulating [4]. NCº will also notify you of peak fertility days in the app. This way, you can time intercourse to maximize your chances of conceiving. After ovulation, monitoring your discharge is not a reliable way to tell if you are pregnant, because white discharge after ovulation isn’t a reliable early pregnancy sign.