Cervical Mucus Changes

Cervical mucus changes are common throughout the natural menstrual cycle that women experience each month. For women who are trying to conceive, the changes in cervical mucus can play a factor in choosing just the right time for lovemaking.

Reading Cervical Mucus
Cervical mucus constantly changes with water intake, food choices, medication usage and douching. In an optimal situation where no major life changes are going on, cervical mucus can be read to provide insight into the time when a woman is most fertile.

Reading cervical mucus can be difficult for some women, but with practice the process becomes easier and easier. Immediately after the end of a menstrual cycle, the vagina will be drier than normal. During this time sperm will have no means of swimming to meet the egg. Thus, it is not the right time to conceive. As the month passes, cervical mucus will change into a thick fluid that breaks when stretched between the fingers. Again, the sperm will not be able to swim in this atmosphere. Right before ovulation, cervical mucus will change to an egg-white consistency that is perfect for swimming sperm. This is the time when conception is most likely to happen.

Important Facts About Cervical Mucus Changes
Taking over-the-counter and prescription medications can change the consistency of cervical mucus. Fertility drugs may also alter consistency and thus reading cervical mucus in these situations may be more difficult or impossible.