Cervical Fluid Check

Q: How do I check for cervical fluid?

A: Cervical mucus changes occur during a menstrual cycle and indicate the level of your fertility. CM can be: dry, sticky, creamy, watery or eggwhite.

There are three ways to check the cervical mucus, depending on which is most comfortable for you. Some of the options are:

1. Look on the tissue when you wipe after you go to the bathroom and note the quality and consistency.
2. Observe the discharge on your underpants.
3. For the more adventursome, you can obtain some of the mucus by placing your finger or fingers (making sure they are clean) in the vagina.

Early mucus is usually described by one of these terms: Scanty, not a lot present, the consistency is thick and sticky, it usually holds it shape. The color is white or opaque.

Next there is the “transitional stage.” Some of the characteristics of this stage are: Increasing amounts of mucus, mucus will be thinner, and cloudy in appearance and color. At this stage, it is slightly stretchy.

The final stage before ovulation is the “highly fertile stage” or egg-white cervical mucus (EWCM). At this time, mucus will usually be visible in profuse amounts. It’s thin, and transparent. It’s often called “egg white cervical mucus” because of its stretchy properties.