What is cervical mucus?

Cervical mucus is produced by the cervix and changes consistency throughout your menstrual cycle based on hormones associated with ovulation. Checking your cervical mucus can be a great indication of fertility when trying to conceive (TTC) or preventing pregnancy using the fertility awareness method (FAM). For example, egg white cervical mucus (EWCM) is a type of cervical fluid that is produced right before ovulation, a time when you are most fertile. The physical properties of the cervical mucus change during the menstrual cycle. The cervical mucus is produced by the cervix and changes consistency throughout your menstrual cycle based on hormones associated with fertility, egg development, and ovulation.

Shortly after the menstrual period ends, the cervical mucus is dry and prevents sperm from penetrating the cervix but around the time of ovulation it becomes thin, has egg-white consistency, and is penetrable by sperm. Cervical mucus (CM) is produced by glands in the cervix, the entrance to the uterus. It accepts, filters, prepares, and releases sperm for successful transport to the inside of the uterus, then, on to the fallopian tubes and the egg for fertilization. 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 trying to get pregnant. About a week before ovulation, under the influence of estrogen, cervical mucus becomes abundant, sticky, and thick.

Cervical Fluid and Intercourse Timing

When is the best time to try to conceive (TTC)? ... read more »

Factors That Can Affect Cervical Fluid

What factors can affect cervical fluid? ... read more »

Semen or Cervical Fluid?

How do I know whether it is semen or cervical fluid? ... read more »

Cervical Mucus - When Most Fertile

When does the cervical mucus indicate high fertility? ... read more »

Artificial Insemination - Indications

What are the indications for Artificial Insemination (AI)? ... read more »

HPV and Infertility

Is there a link between HPV and infertlity? ... read more »

Cervical Changes During the Day

What should I record cervical changes during the day? ... read more »

Recording Cervical Fluid When I Am Aroused

How should I record cervical fluid when I am aroused? ... read more »

Chapter 3: Getting Started on Fertility Charting

Charting your BBTs is easy. Basically, what you are doing is taking your temperature first thing each day and plotting the temperature on a chart. ... read more »

Conization of the Cervix

What is the impact of conization of the cervix on fertility? ... read more »

Facts About Pregnancy

Pregnancy is a time in life when women feel closer to their spouse and body more than ever before. Here are a few facts about pregnancy for expecting moms. ... read more »

What Can I Expect During My Pregnancy?

Many women wonder what they can expect during pregnancy. This is especially true of first-time mothers. Changes during pregnancy are physical and emotional. ... read more »

Pregnancy Discharge

Pregnancy discharge is a common symptom related to hormonal changes. However, the type of pregnancy discharge you have means the difference between normal secretions and potential infection. ... read more »

Answering Questions about the Mucus Plug

The mucus plug forms soon after the fertilized egg implants in the uterus. The plug blocks the opening of the cervix until the gestational period is over. ... read more »

Cervical Mucus Changes

Cervical mucus changes are common throughout the natural menstrual cycle that women experience each month. ... read more »

Charting Fertility While Breastfeeding

Keeping a fertility chart is the perfect way to get to know your new body while breastfeeding, especially if you plan on trying to conceive soon after giving birth. ... read more »

For Men: What is a Deep Cervix and Does it Affect Fertility?

There are many factors that can affect fertility. While there are many reliable sources that can help you understand these factors, fertility myths abound. One of these factors is a deep cervix. ... read more »

Cervical Mucus, Implantation, and Pregnancy

Can I find out if I am pregnant from my cervical mucus? It's a question many women ask. ... read more »

Ejaculate and Cervical Mucus

When can CM be checked after intercourse? ... read more »

Sperm Survival in Cervical Fluid

How long can sperm survive in cervical fluid? ... read more »

Not Enough Cervical Mucus

Q: Is this a problem to not have enough cervical mucus  when we TTC? ... read more »

Not Enough Cervical Fluid

What should if I don't have enough cervical fluid? ... read more »

Chapter 8: Cervical Mucus

Checking your cervical mucus for fertility charting can improve your chances of getting pregnant. ... read more »

Cervical Fluid Check

How do I check for cervical fluid? ... read more »

Cervical Mucus: Checking Fertility in 12 Steps

Checking your cervix and cervical mucus for fertility changes can improve your chances of getting pregnant. ... read more »

How to Get Pregnant Again in 12 Steps

So you already have a child and now you are trying to get pregnant again. Easy? Maybe not. Read our 12 step program. ... read more »

Anti-Sperm Antibodies

Anti-sperm antibodies are protein molecules made by the woman's or man's body that are attracted to a specific site on the sperm and interfere with the sperms’s activity. ... read more »

Late Menstrual Period - What Next?

“My period is late, what do I do now?” This is probably the most frequent question we get from women who are trying to conceive (TTC.) The first step is finding out if you ovulated this month; the nex ... read more »

Can I Get Pregnant After Freezing Of The Cervix

My cervix was frozen twice for cervical dysplasia. If I want to have a baby in the future, will that affect my ability to get pregnant? And if so, how? ... read more »

Can Uterine Or Cervical Changes Show That I Am Pregnant?

How can I tell if I am pregnant? Can cervical changes signify that I am pregnant? What about the position of my uterus? ... read more »

What Is The Effect of Lubricant On Cervical Fluid?

What does lubricant do to my cervical fluid? Does it increase it? Will lubricant help me get pregnant or make it harder to get pregnant? ... read more »

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