Cervical mucus is gel or fluid-like discharge, which a woman experiences through her menstrual cycle. This cervix discharge amount and thickness fluctuate across the cycle as hormone levels change.
The hormones stimulate the cervix glands to produce mucus. She can avoid or achieve pregnancy via cervical monitoring. The mucus helps to predict ovulation.
Fluctuation in cervical mucus
During menstruation blood covers the mucus and immediately after periods, you can experience dry days. Before ovulation, mucus is produced. It is white, yellow, or cloudy in color and has stretchy consistency. Estrogen levels will increase, and you will see watery, stretchy, clear, and slippery mucus.
The discharge during ovulation is clear and stretchy. It is of egg whites consistency present during ovulation. Mucus pH and texture are prepared for sperm protection.
Therefore, if you are planning to conceive then have libido on ovulating days. The discharge after ovulation is less gluey, cloudy, or thick.
Cervical mucus changes
- After conceiving
After you successfully conceive, cervical mucus will change. The fertilized egg attaches to your uterus after implantation. The mucus will be thick, clear, and gummy. Some ladies experience spotting or bleeding during implantation. It can happen within a couple of weeks after conceiving. Impanation bleeding stops within 24 – 48 hours.
- In early pregnancy
In the initial weeks, the cervical mucus will change in consistency and color. It can be white or yellow and sticky. The yellow mucus is called Leucorrhea. As there is pregnancy progress the vaginal discharge will continue to change.
Check cervical mucus
Make sure to wash your hands before as well as after checking.
- Manually – Insert a clean finger in your vagina and feel around the cervix. Now, remove your finger. Check mucus color and texture on the finger.
- Toilet paper – Before you pee, wipe the vaginal opening with white toilet paper. Check the consistency and color of the discharge on the paper.
- Check panty liner/underwear – Daily check your underwear/panty liner for discharge changes.
Other ways to keep track of ovulation
- Temperature – When you are ovulating, basal body temperature will show a little increase. Use this method with cervical mucus checking to enhance your prediction of fertility days.
- Calendar – You can use an online ovulation calendar to forecast the ovulation days. Enter the start date of your last monthly cycle and the average days you experience the periods.
- Fertility test – Doctors perform physical exams or tests to check the ovulation period and ensure the normalcy of your hormone levels. Ovulation test strips can be used for home monitoring of ovulation.
When to seek medical care?
If you experience abnormal discharge then it is a sign of infection.
- Burning or itchiness
- Green, gray, or yellow mucus
- Swelling or redness
- Odors or smell
Cervical mucus discharge in women is normal but if you notice the above symptoms visit your doctor. If you are avoiding pregnancy then use birth controls like pills or condoms.
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