Understanding Cervical Mucus: What It Tells You About Your Fertility

Cervical mucus, a fluid produced by the cervix, is often overlooked, but it’s an important indicator of the body’s natural rhythms and fertility. This fluid undergoes several changes throughout the menstrual cycle and pregnancy, and these changes are all to help facilitate sperm and egg meeting up at the right time to achieve a pregnancy.

This article covers everything you need to know about cervical mucus, including its types, functions, and how it changes throughout the reproductive cycle.

What is cervical mucus?

Cervical mucus is a naturally produced fluid released by the cervix, an organ that connects the vagina to the uterus.

Throughout the menstrual cycle, its consistency, color, and amount change. These fluctuations are driven by the body’s varying hormone levels, which can either help or prohibit sperm from entering the uterus.

Understanding these changes and the different phases of the cervical mucus cycle can help expectant parents pinpoint their most fertile days and improve their chances of conception.

Cervical mucus vs. Vaginal Discharge

Cervical mucus and vaginal discharge might seem similar, but they serve different purposes.

Cervical mucus, for example, has one very important job: to allow sperm to travel through the cervix and into the uterus and fallopian tubes during the “fertile window,” the most fertile time of the month. This is the best time to have unprotected sex if the goal is conception.

Vaginal discharge, on the other hand, refers to any fluid that comes out of the vagina. It keeps things running smoothly by lubricating the vagina and helping to flush out old cells and bacteria.

Types of Cervical Mucus

Four main types of cervical mucus occur throughout the menstrual cycle:

• Dry days: On dry days, there may be little to no cervical mucus at all. The vulva may feel dry or even itchy, depending on the person. These days are low fertile days.
• Sticky cervical mucus: Sticky mucus has a pasty, glue-like texture and may appear white, yellowish, or creamy. It might appear when wiping or on underwear.
• Creamy cervical mucus: Creamy mucus is thicker and more opaque than sticky but not quite as stretchy. It’s white or off-white and can be stretched a bit. (Note: It should not look like cottage cheese. Cottage cheese-like discharge may be a sign of a yeast infection.)
• Fertile cervical mucus: When the body is at its most fertile, the mucus is clear, slippery, very stretchy, and abundant. It can stretch several inches between the fingers and is often compared to raw egg whites.

How Hormones Affect Cervical Mucus

Estrogen and progesterone regulate the production and the consistency of cervical mucus throughout the menstrual cycle. While other hormones like LH and FSH are involved, these two have the biggest impact.

Estrogen

Immediately before ovulation, the body’s estrogen levels are its peak during the cycle. This causes the cervix to produce more cervical mucus that’s stretchy, slippery, and often described as resembling raw egg whites. It’s also thinner and more watery, which makes it more permissive for sperm to swim through the cervix, into the uterus, and eventually make it to the fallopian tubes to meet a recently released egg.

Progesterone

After ovulation, progesterone levels rise, causing the cervical mucus to thicken and become stickier. This makes it harder for sperm to get through — it’s the body’s way of preventing sperm to get into the uterus and tubes when there is little chance of pregnancy.

The Stages of Cervical Mucus Through the Menstrual Cycle

Not everyone’s cervical mucus timeline looks the same, but these are the general stages:

• Days 1-5: During the first few days of menstruation, blood is likely to cover the cervical mucus, making it less noticeable.
• Days 5-10: There’s little to no discharge when menstruation ends. However, as the body’s estrogen levels begin to rise, the cervical mucus may be sticky or tacky. It might be white, yellow, or cloudy.
• Days 10-14: As the body gets closer and closer to ovulation (usually around day 14 in a 28 day cycle), the cervical mucus becomes more wet, stretchy, and slippery. It might look like raw egg whites.
• Day 14: On the day of ovulation, the cervical mucus reaches its peak permissiveness. It’s wet, viscous, and extremely stretchy. Couples trying to get pregnant should have unprotected sexual intercourse during the days leading up to ovulation (including the day of) to increase their chances.
• Day 14-22: After ovulation, progesterone causes the mucus to thicken and become stickier, creating a less sperm-friendly environment. It may start out cloudy and gradually become thicker.
• Days 22-28: As the next period approaches, the mucus typically decreases and may become sticky or disappear altogether. Some women may experience a few dry days before their period starts.

Note: These stages aren’t definitive. Women who ovulate late or early, have hormonal issues, or other conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) may experience different cervical mucus changes.

When is the fertile window?

The “fertile window,” or the most opportune time to get pregnant, typically lasts about six days and includes the days leading up to ovulation and the time around ovulation.

Knowing when ovulation occurs and how long the fertile window lasts can help aspiring parents improve their chances of getting pregnant. This is because during ovulation (when the ovary releases an egg), there’s a very short timeframe for fertilization, usually only 12-24 hours. The fertile window, on the other hand, lasts longer because sperm can survive in the female reproductive tract for up to five days after unprotected sex.

Tracking cervical mucus changes is one way to identify the fertile window. As explained above, the cervical mucus becomes more abundant, clear, slippery, and stretchy five to six days before ovulation. This egg-white cervical mucus is a key indicator of peak fertility.

Cervical Mucus Method for Family Planning

Tracking cervical mucus isn’t just for couples trying to conceive. It’s also a natural family planning method called the cervical mucus or Billings method. Some use this Fertility Awareness-Based Method (FABM) for both contraception and conception planning.

While the cervical mucus method can be a helpful tool, it’s important to note that it’s not nearly as effective at preventing pregnancy as other methods like condoms or hormonal birth control. It requires careful observation and charting of daily changes in cervical mucus.

Most healthcare professionals recommend combining the cervical mucus method with the basal temperature method (symptothermal method), another FABM that tracks daily changes in basal body temperature. Ovulation predictor kits (OPKs) can also aid in cycle tracking and appropriate timing for conception. This provides a more accurate assessment of the fertile windown and ovulation. When used together, these methods can be up to 77-98% effective.

How to Track Changes in Cervical Mucus

There are multiple ways to track cervical mucus changes, including:

• Toilet paper test: Gently wipe the vulva with toilet paper to check for any visible cervical mucus or discharge. Note the consistency (clear, white, yellow), consistency (sticky, creamy, watery, egg-white-like), and amount.
• Finger testing: With clean hands, insert a clean index finger into the vagina, then spread and examine the mucus that comes out. Egg-white cervical mucus (EWCM) that stretches for an inch or more is a good indicator of peak fertility.
• Fertility charting apps: Apps like Clue Period & Cycle Tracker, Flo Period & Ovulation Tracker, and Glow can help monitor PMS symptoms, the menstrual cycle, and ovulation.

Tips for Monitoring Cervical Mucus

Monitoring cervical mucus, especially as a form of natural birth control, takes some practice.

Here are some tips:

• Pay attention to changes and record them daily. Consistent tracking is key to identifying patterns. Note the color, consistency, and amount of cervical mucus every day. Doing this at the same time (e.g., morning or evening) can make it easier to spot differences. Use a calendar, app, or journal to record changes.
• Avoid vaginal sex (or use condoms) for at least one whole cycle. The body produces more cervical mucus during sex, so it’s best to avoid this for at least one full cycle when first starting out.
• Don’t test after sex, exercise, douching, or using lubricants. These can all impact the cervical mucus and provide inaccurate results. Other factors like breastfeeding, taking certain medications, stress, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), or menstrual irregularities can affect cervical mucus.
• Use ovulation test kits or other fertility tracking methods. Cervical mucus monitoring is just one tool in the Fertility Awareness Method toolbox. Combining it with other methods like basal body temperature (BBT) tracking or OPKs can provide a more accurate picture of your fertile window.

It takes time and practice to reliably track and interpret changes in cervical mucus. Don’t get discouraged if it takes a few cycles to feel confident. If you need additional support, an OB/GYN can offer reassurance and answer any questions you may have about the process.

Cervical Mucus During Early Pregnancy and Health Indicators

Cervical mucus can offer valuable insights into early pregnancy and overall reproductive health. For example, during implantation, it may appear clear, thick, and gummy. Some women may even experience spotting or implantation bleeding at this stage.

These changes typically occur before a positive pregnancy test result and are one of the earliest signs of pregnancy.

In early pregnancy (one to two weeks after conception), the cervical mucus often becomes stickier and appears white or yellow. This change, known as leukorrhea, is due to an increase in estrogen and may continue throughout pregnancy.

Healthy vs. Unhealthy Cervical Mucus

Although some variation is normal, certain changes in cervical mucus can signal potential health issues:

• Abnormal color (green, yellow, or gray) or a strong odor can indicate an infection, such as bacterial vaginosis or an STI.
• Thick, clumpy, or cottage cheese-like discharge may point to a yeast infection.
• Bloody or brown discharge, especially outside of menstruation, may be a sign of a cervical polyp or cervical or endometrial cancer and should be checked by a doctor.

When to See a Doctor

Abnormal cervical fluid shouldn’t be ignored, especially if other symptoms like pain, itching, or unusual bleeding accompany it. If you notice any concerning changes, it’s best to make an appointment with your gynecologist.

Takeaway

Monitoring cervical mucus offers valuable insights into your body’s natural processes and can be a helpful tool for fertility awareness, whether you’re trying to conceive or avoid pregnancy. While it requires consistent tracking and interpretation, combining the cervical mucus method with other FABM techniques like using OPKs or BBT can improve its effectiveness.

If you’re considering using cervical mucus monitoring for contraception or family planning, make sure to discuss it with an OB-GYN or your fertility specialist. They can provide personalized guidance, address concerns, and ensure you’re using this method effectively and safely.

A Word From RMA

Understanding your body’s unique rhythms can empower you to make informed decisions about your reproductive health. By paying attention to the subtle signals of your cervical mucus, you can take an active role in managing your fertility journey.

If you need help interpreting your cervical mucus or have concerns about your reproductive health, the team at RMA Network is here to support you. We’re just a phone call away.