Cervical mucus and your fertility

Cervical mucus feels like a pretty personal topic to talk about โ but actually, itโs a huge part of the menstrual cycle, and understanding it can make it easier to understand when youโre fertile, and when there might be something wrong. So what is cervical mucus, and what does it tell you about your fertility?
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As the name suggests, cervical mucus comes from the glands around the cervix. The cervix is a small canal โ just under an inch long โ that connects your vagina and your uterus. The purpose of cervical mucus is to help sperm travel to meet and fertilize an egg, then to protect the fertilized embryo. And while itโs important in creating a pregnancy, itโs also useful to figure out when not to have sex if youโre trying to avoid a pregnancy. Because your hormone levels influence the consistency and texture of cervical mucus, it can be a reliable indicator of ovulation.ย
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There are four phases to the menstrual cycle. Weโll give an overview of all four phases, and how your cervical mucus plays a part in each one.
The menstrual phase
The menstrual phase is when your reproductive system hits reset mode (aka your period). It usually lasts between 2 to 7 days and happens because your estrogen levels drop, telling your body that youโre not pregnant. Your body sheds your uterine lining and is getting readyย for your next cycle.
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During your period, you wonโt notice much cervical mucus. In the immediate 1-4 days following your period, youโll experience some โdry days,โ where youโll appear to have very little (if any!) cervical mucus and might have some light brown discharge, which is usually some leftover blood.
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Is it possible to get pregnant during the menstrual phase?: Itโs highly unlikely.ย
The follicular phase
The follicular phase lasts about 13 to 16 days. This is the phase straight after menstruation. Your uterine lining will start to thicken to create an ideal environment for an embryo to implant. In this phase, your hormone levels surge, starting with estrogen and then progesterone.ย
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During the follicular phase, youโll likely experience milky, white discharge, with a thick, creamy consistency and a white, cloudy coloring. As you arenโt ovulating and therefore not in your โfertileโ stage, the mucus is thick to try and stop the sperm reaching the uterus. However, the sperm can live in the vagina for up to 5 days, and so in the days leading up to your period, it is still possible you can get pregnant if you ovulate.ย
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Is it possible to get pregnant during the follicular phase?: Itโs unlikely.
Ovulation
Ovulation is a short phase - it typically lasts a couple of days. This is prime time to get pregnant, so even if you arenโt trying to conceive, your body will start getting ready for the potential; an egg will leave your ovaries, and in turn, your sex drive is going to peak. Your progesterone will rise, and you might notice your cervical mucus has changed to a slippery, clear and stretchy consistency - a bit like raw egg whites.
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A clear sign that you are ovulating is if you can stretch the discharge between your thumb and index finger โ keep reading to find out more!ย
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Is it possible to get pregnant during ovulation?: Yes.
The luteal phase
The luteal phase is approximately two weeks long, as your body prepares to support a pregnancy, if an egg and sperm met during ovulation. If youโre not pregnant, your estrogen and progesterone will start to gradually drop, ready to start the menstrual phase all over again.
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During the luteal phase, your cervical mucus may be dry, sticky, or at times, nonexistent. At this point, the role of the mucus is to prevent any infections or bacteria entering the uterus to protect the potentially implanting embryo.ย
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Is it possible to get pregnant during the luteal phase?: Yes, but only in the first 12-24 hours after ovulation.
Mucus in pregnancyย
If you arenโt pregnant, your period will arriveโฆbut if you are pregnant, your cervical mucus will change. During pregnancy, itโs often a thin, stickier, milky white substance with little to no odor. Its purpose is to prevent infection and protect the pregnancy. Over time, the volume will increase, but as long asย itโs colorless and odorless, it shouldnโt be a cause for concern.
โHow to check your cervical mucus
First, make sure you wash your hands thoroughly and dry them with a clean towel.
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Then, get into a comfortable position, like squatting, sitting on a toilet, or standing with one leg on the side of aย bathtub or another sturdy surface.ย
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Insert your index finger or your middle finger into your vagina. Get as close to your cervix as possible โ it feels like the tip of your nose with a small dimple in the middle โ to get a sample of your mucus.ย
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Once you have retrieved a sample, roll it between your thumb and finger. To get an idea of its consistency, and whether or not youโre in your fertile period, pull your thumb and finger apart and look at the mucus.ย
โHow to know if thereโs a problem
Every body is a little different, but there are a few consistently concerning symptoms you should look out for:ย
- Green, brown, or yellow cervical mucus
- Thick consistency that looks like cottage cheese
- A foul odor that may smell fishy or metallic
- An itching or burning feeling
If you notice any unusual changes, or something thatโs abnormal for you, call your doctor. Theyโre there to help.
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