V.personal question[blush]

[notasize10yetbutoneday]

Hi all

I came off the pill 6 weeks ago (withdrawal period only so far- no sign of AF yet) so I'm still getting used to lookign for signs in my cycle.

I understand that EWCM is one of the main signs of ovulation. I was wondering though- and this is the embarrassing bit- how do you know that its EWCM and not just, er, 'arousal' fluid, for want of a better term?

This morning I have what I think might be EWCM, and I feel 'moister' than usual but I don't know if its just from last night- DH and I didn't have full sex but were intimate if you catch my drift.

If anyone has not recoiled in disgust and can answer my question I would be most grateful!

I know there is something about dropping it in a glass of water

I'm sure someone wiser will be along shortly!

also what i have read is you should put it between your fingers and EWCM stretches much more that men's you know what :)

on my EWCM days, i can go for a wee and afterwards, sometimes i have the ewcm literally hanging (now that is too much info ).

it is so like egg white. clear and stretchy. it's quite slimy.

Sheep, you should not !!!!

whoops wrong emoticon!

he he sheep I know what you mean!!

i also think it's a bit like snail slime.

hth

at the risk of completely dominating this thread, i did post about the 'hanging' comment because i think it helps to differentiate versus other secretions

Thank you all. I can't beleive I am discussing this at lunchtime but heyho. Absentbump, I wasn;t thinking it was DHs sperm, but more my own...moisture if you will. I'm not sure how to differentiate between that and EWCM as aftet being aroused I can see a clear, I would say-stretchy- residue. But this sounds remarkably similar to EWCM?

I've said it before (not on this thread obviously) but get Taking Charge of Your Fertility it has detailed explanations and if I remember rightly, photos!

Oh and it's very easy to read and understand not all technically/medically (not to patronise but I found it very interesting and informative, worthy medical stuff is just a snoozefest)

I think the arousal fluid would evaporate more quickly - if it were on your fingers - EWCM you'd be more likely to need to wipe or wash off. If it's on the tissue, I think you'd be able to see a sort of 'stringy-ness' to the EWCM and could stretch if apart, whereas on the tissue I think arousal fluid is more generally damp and slippery.

But notasize10 I think if you generally feel moister, (and that is a truly terrible word to type) then it's a pretty good sign that things are heading in the right direction. Not every woman has classic eggwhite, of the dripping/hanging out of you variety. Have to say that's something I've never experienced.

Hmmm same as sheeplikessleep and Ladybee for me I'd say.

I'm not the sort of person who's likely to get into charting (though give it a few more months ttc-ing and I might be) but last month and this month I used opks and then this month I've checked out the picture from Taking Charge of Your Fertility and you do start to spot stuff a little more.

I'm not one for prodding around (as suggested in TCOYF book) but, err, mopped up a little bit of the 'hanging' stuff yesterday evening and it was obviously EWCM Yet a few weeks ago this wouldn't have crossed my mind.

Might not help you much for this month but definitely think you start spotting the signs better each cycle.

there is a good Q&A about the difference between EWCM and arousal fluid on Fertility Friend here

Thank you all and Getdown for that link. Sounds like I need to get a copy of TCOYF- I was burned slightly by buying Zita West's Complete Guide which was far too lentilweavery not really what I was looking for.