The menstrual cycle of women involves many changes in the body and one of them is related to cervical mucus, an indicator of female fertility. The cervical mucus, unlike the vaginal discharge (produced by the vaginal glands), is secreted by the cervix and exerts an important function in the conception process.
Let's see how vaginal secretions vary during the cycle to be able to distinguish at what time we are facing cervical mucus indicating that we are in our fertile days. By observing changes in cervical fluid, ovulation can be predicted.
And although it is clear that there are many other factors involved in achieving pregnancy, we are taking an important step by knowing with certainty what our most fertile period is. It is during those days (and some before if we already know our cycle well) when we must make love frequently.
The phases of the menstrual cycle
Recall what the menstruation cycles are, so that you know at what time the body is ready for fertilization to occur.
Follicular phase: The first phase begins on the first day of the period and ends at the time of ovulation, when the egg is released. During the follicular phase changes occur in the uterine cavity and in the endometrial mucosa. After the end of menstruation, the innermost part of the vagina is blocked by a mucus plug, a thick and acid mucus that serves to prevent infection. In this phase the cervical mucus is scarce, whitish or transparent, with a liquid or sticky texture. As the days pass, the body begins to prepare for the possible implantation of a pregnancy. Often then the consistency of mucus is transformed by gaining elasticity and increasing in quantity. Only some women and sometimes they perceive that the mucus plug has fallen: a relatively large lump appears, opaque in color and of a much denser and more elastic consistency than the fertile mucus. It is the "plug" that has been protecting the entrance to the uterine orifice during the follicular phase, which detaches itself and is expelled to free the entrance, thus indicating the beginning of the fertile period.
Ovulation phase: ovulation is the process of emission of the ovule after the formation of an ovarian follicle. The ovule is the female gamete, a cell produced by the ovary, carrier of the genetic material and capable of being fertilized by a sperm. At this time of the cycle the mucus film and its pH increases towards neutrality (decreasing its acidity), which makes that mucus more elastic in nature: the body prepares for possible fertilization. In this way, sperm are allowed to pass through the cervix to the fallopian tubes, where it is possible that an egg can already be fertilized. Two or three days before ovulation, the cervical mucus forms elastic threads (stretches and does not cut), it is usually compared to the consistency of egg white.
Luteal phase: After ovulation the luteal phase or the yellow body begins (a gland that appears in the ovary after ovulation) that lasts until possible pregnancy is implanted or until menstruation occurs and the next cycle begins. If fertilization does not occur during the period of time in which the ovule is arranged, the woman's body is preparing to eliminate the ovum with the following rule. During this phase, progesterone causes the mucus characteristics to change, making it whitish, thick, creamy and PH more acidic.
Cervical mucus as a fertility method
As we have said, cervical fluids present with different characteristics depending on the phase of the menstrual cycle in which the woman is. It is because the hormones that regulate the menstrual cycle also act on the cervix and cause it to produce a different mucus secretion at each stage. Thus "analyzing" cervical mucus can help us discover when we are ovulating.
To check which phase of the cycle we are in, just take a sample of cervical mucus with the index finger and touch with the thumb to check its elasticity. The mucus can be caught by inserting a finger into the vagina or after using the toilet, which is left in the toilet paper.
Before ovulation, when the fertile period has not yet arrived, there is a certain dryness: the vulva is not naturally lubricated and it is when it will cost us more to take a "sample" of mucus. Gradually, as ovulation approaches, the cervical mucus will increase, and the consistency will become increasingly sticky and elastic, in the way we have explained above.
Just before ovulating, that the body is prepared for conception, the cervical fluid will increase considerably and be elastic and slippery, similar to egg white. It is the right time to achieve pregnancy.
The cervical mucus can be whitish, yellowish or cloudy. The appearance of blood particles or tissues in the mucus may indicate that ovulation has already taken place, these tissues being part of a follicle that has been opened to release the ovum.
We must remember that hormonal medication such as the one contained in the contraceptive pill and fertility control implants affect these natural signs of fertility, since they are mechanisms that regulate hormonal levels and interfere with the functioning of the cervix. Therefore, depending on the type of contraceptive, different times are recommended to abandon them before trying to get pregnant.
One way to record the fertility cycles using the cervical mucus method is in a table similar to the one we were presenting when talking about the basal temperature, although in this case indicating the flow changes (starting with the rule, of scarce cervical mucus to elastic and finally thick) instead of temperature.
In this way you can learn to recognize these changes, although it is not an appropriate method if we suffer from polycystic ovarian syndrome or some hormonal alteration. In general, the method gives better results to women with a regular cycle, because the observation of cervical mucus is simpler, cyclic.
Definitely, cervical mucus is a good indicator of female fertility, if we learn to differentiate it in its different forms. Once we detect the ovulation phase we can have sex with more chances of achieving pregnancy. Good luck!
Photos | Mike Monaghan, Meagan and AlexPears on Flickr On Babies and more | What are my fertile days ?, What are the fertile days to get pregnant, How to take the basal temperature to know the fertile days
