ok TMI and I should probably have namechanged but...

[HairyToe]

if you're shagging like crazy in the leadup to when you're supposed to be ovulating how are you supposed to tell the difference between EWCM and semen.

Ahem

[sumomum]

Sorry, don't know the answer myself but want some advice on this myself. Hopefully some wise Mn'er will come along soon with their words of wisdom!

[ScaryHairy]

Semen does not stretch as far as EWCM.
IME it is also a slightly different consistency (is more thinly spread on loo-roll when you wipe).
I also seem to recall that EWCM sinks if you put it in a glass of water but semen dissolves (although I could have that the wrong way around!).

[QueenyEisGotTheBall]

a friend of mine suggested that you taste it and see what it tastes like[eeeew emoticon] the difference as far as i can tell is that EWCM is stretchy and smoothe to the touch and semen is less stretchy and more sticky to the touch. i hope that helps
xx ei xx

[HairyToe]

Thanks for your help! Looking forward to testing the sinking in a glass of water thing although I think Dh may wonder why I'm taking a gkass of water into the loo with me.

What I have been finding is definitely stretchy - no way a I tasting it though. Anyway tbh its been a long time since I tasted semen so not sure I'd recognise it

Can't believe I posted that

[Jools1]

I found some info on a web site that suggests fertile cervical fluid (eggwhite) is clear and stretchy and shiny. It will stretch a couple of inches without breaking. Semen may be more whitish and will break when pulled.

[stillstanding]

Sorry am new but what is EWCM?

[HairyToe]

Egg White Cervical Mucus. As you get near ovulation your cervical mucus changes.

Quoting from fertilityfriend.com:

"Immediately following menstruation there is usually a dry vaginal sensation and there is little or no cervical fluid.

After a few days of dryness, there is normally a cervical fluid that is best described as "sticky" or "pasty" but not wet. While this kind of cervical fluid is not conducive to sperm survival these days may be considered as "possibly fertile" if found before ovulation.

Following these "sticky" days, most women generally notice a cervical fluid that is best described as "creamy". This fluid may be white, yellow or beige in color and has the look and feel of lotion or cream. At this point the vagina may feel wet and this indicates possible increased fertility.

The most fertile cervical fluid now follows. This most fertile fluid looks and feels like raw egg white. It is slippery and may be stretched several inches between your fingers. It is usually clear and may be very watery. The vagina feels wet and lubricated. These days are considered most fertile. This is the fluid that is the most friendly and receptive to sperm. It looks a lot like semen and, like semen, can act as a transport for sperm.

After ovulation, fertile fluid dries up very quickly and the vagina remains more or less dry until the next cycle. Some women may notice small amounts of fertile-looking fluid after ovulation as the corpus luteum produces small amounts of estrogen, but you are not at all fertile after ovulation has been confirmed."

If you google "Egg White Cervical Mucus" you get loads of info, and some quite digusting pictures!

[stillstanding]

Thank you, Hairy Toe - it appears that there is a whole world out there I didnt know about!

[funtimewincies]

Not tmi Hairytoe, I was thinking the same thing myself yesterday .

[busylady]

this is a good thread! so, you don't need ewcm but it really helps....

x