EWCM experts' advice please!

[daisygrabber]

Hello!
Big lurker here. Usually I manage to get lots of support from reading various forums (40+, infertility, etc...get the picture?). Haven't had a period for 5 months but recent scan shows lots of activity so hopefully things are getting moving again.
Anyway, I have started charting from interest really & noticing lots more "moisture" down below. To me, it looks like perfect EWCM, for several days, then a gap then more. So two questions:

1. is this possible? Can you get it when you are not fertile? & (sorry this is distasteful) 2) how do you distinguish between EWCM & old sperm? Assuming you do an average no of wees & poos, how long after sex would it be before all sperm residue was expelled. Thanks in advance - where else could I possibly ask questions like these! DaisyG x

TMI - if you get some sperm residue out and onto your fingers it won't stretch apart like EWCM would www.tryingtoconceive.com/ewcm4.jpg

Although if you are dtd you'd have a mixture there anyway I suppose?

No idea about the rest of it though!

Hi daisy, not an expert but my understanding is that you can get EWCM without actually ovulating. The change in the CM indicates that your body is 'gearing up' to ovulate and so you can see it even if it doesn't actually manage. Multiple patches are normally related to the same issue, tried then tried again, if you see what I mean?
Yes as foof says clear and streachy not cloudy and un-stretchy cause clearly that's a word
I'm not sure if that helps?

Brilliant, thanks all. The answers all make sense. I think it is EWCM & not old sperm (lol - it was the only explanation I could come up with!). My poor old ovaries are obviously trying really hard. That ties in with my hormonal results. I shall keep presisting but not get too excited about the EWCM but better that it's there than not.
Thanks xx

I'm one for experimenting so I can report the following finding with regards to the EWCM or old sperm debate.

Old sperm will sink into the paper. Just let it sit there for a minute or so. EWCM will sit on the surface and jelly like, sperm will just fade away.
Also, and this is very grim, sniff it. We all know that sperm has it's own smell.

Ha ha - bleach I always say!! Ok I am convinced, not sperm!!
yes, having lots & lots of sex (in fact, scheduled a night off tonight cos I think maybe too much & resources need to replenish). Didn't know the bit about "enjoyment". Usually it's me first (less messy lol) (& sometimes not me at all cos it's a quickie & I can't always be bothered , do you really think it makes a difference?

daisy I don't think it makes a difference. Lots of women get pg without orgasming, and I nearly always come well before DH and still managed to get pg, 3 times!

That's good to hear bonzo. As a rule I'm first, if at all. I was wondering if it made a difference.

Further experimenting has taken place today.

When you see what looks like EWCM on the toilet paper wipe your finger over it. If it spreads and soaks into the paper its old sperm, if it stays on the surface and sticks to your finger then it's EWCM.

Apparently the cervix dips in and out of the pool of sperm and sucks it in if the woman comes after the man! (I saw a video of it!)

Gosh its amazing the amount of TTC trivia I have learned over the past few months...