Did you know that cervical mucus can tell you a lot about your fertility window and your menstrual cycles? Also called cervical mucus, often confused with vaginal discharge (or white discharge), it plays a key role in your reproductive health. In this article, we'll teach you how to decipher the evolution of cervical mucus throughout the menstrual cycle. Ready to become an expert on the subject? Let's go!
What is cervical mucus?
What day does cervical mucus appear and when does it stop?
Cervical mucus appears shortly after your period ends, usually around day 9 or 10 (for a 28-day menstrual cycle). It is cream-colored and changes in appearance throughout the cycle:
- during the follicular phase;
- then the ovulatory phase;
- and the luteal phase, until the first day of the next period.
Cervical mucus is often confused with vaginal discharge (called "white discharge"). Vaginal discharge refers to all the secretions produced by your vagina throughout your cycle (including cervical mucus). It corresponds to a sort of "self-cleaning" of the vagina.
The role of cervical mucus in the menstrual cycle
Spoiler alert: cervical mucus plays a very important role throughout your menstrual cycle. It serves as an additional protective barrier against infections. But also to maintain the balance of the vaginal flora.
During the follicular phase, cervical mucus is thick and sticky. Its function? To close the cervix to prevent sperm from passing through, like a kind of natural birth control method. Then, as estrogen levels increase, cervical mucus becomes thinner and clearer. This creates a more favorable environment for sperm to move through. Ovulation is approaching, the body is getting ready!
During the ovulatory phase, cervical mucus reaches its peak quality. Its role, at this time, is to facilitate the survival of spermatozoa as well as their progression towards the egg. It is thanks to it that you increase your chances of pregnancy if your sexual intercourse falls during this period of fertility.
After ovulation, your progesterone levels increase. And cervical mucus returns to its original function: forming a protective barrier against the passage of sperm until the end of the cycle.
Editor's note: be aware that recognizing these different phases will also allow you to detect infertility problems linked to cervical mucus.
The appearance of cervical mucus throughout the menstrual cycle
So, how do you calculate your menstrual cycle using cervical mucus? By observing its color and consistency, of course! We'll tell you everything just below.
Cervical mucus after period
After your period, cervical mucus is usually thin and quite thick. This is the infertile phase. You may notice a feeling of dryness or a slight pasty vaginal discharge. This period of low cervical mucus production lasts for a few days, until estrogen levels begin to rise, leading to increased cervical mucus production.
How to recognize ovulation mucus?
As ovulation approaches, cervical mucus is easy to recognize by its particular texture and appearance. During ovulation, cervical mucus becomes abundant, clear and very elastic, like raw egg white. Do the test: you can stretch this vaginal discharge between your fingers for several centimeters without it breaking. You may feel a sensation of humidity in your vulva: your fertile phase is at its peak!
What is cervical mucus like the day after ovulation?
From the 1st day after the ovulation period until the first day of menstruation, the consistency of cervical mucus changes rapidly under the influence of hormones. Cervical mucus coagulates; it becomes thicker, opaque and sticky. You may again feel a feeling of relative dryness or pasty mucus. This marks the end of the fertility window.
Do you have questions about your ovulation? Our article How to know when you are ovulating should interest you!
What is the mucus like if there has been fertilization?
If fertilization has occurred, cervical mucus will undergo some minor changes. It may become more abundant and retain a sort of creamy texture or become slightly sticky. Some women notice thicker and more persistent cervical mucus, sometimes tinged with white or pale yellow. These changes are due to the increase in progesterone levels (the corpus luteum hormone) needed to support the developing pregnancy. The cervical mucus here will also help form the mucus plug, which protects the uterus and future embryo from infections throughout the pregnancy.
To more closely monitor the evolution of your cervical mucus, you can combine it with taking your basal temperature (also known as the symptothermal method). Basal temperature is the lowest body temperature, the one you take in the morning when you wake up. By doing this, you can follow your temperature curve (on a paper notebook, for example) throughout your cycle. And know more precisely if and when the evolution took place!
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In other words, cervical mucus (not to be confused with vaginal discharge) is a key indicator of your menstrual cycle… and your fertile window! By learning to observe all these changes, you will better understand your body. This will help you increase your chances of conception or, of course, avoid an unwanted pregnancy.
