Cervical Mucus is an important component of trying to conceive. Cervical mucus is a jelly-ish substance produced by a woman’s body during her monthly cycle. Cervical mucus resembles the white of an egg. Cervical mucus protects sperm from the acidic content of the vagina. The acids in the vagina typically will stop sperm from moving an neutralize them. Cervical mucus provides a place for sperm to go where it can be protected from these acids. In addition, cervical mucus will help sperm to travel up the fallopian tubes into the uterus to find an egg. Finally, cervical mucus will often detect sperm that are abnormal and slow them down, keeping them from getting to the egg and causing conception.

The amount and consistency of cervical mucus changes during the different stages of a woman’s ovulatory cycle. After menstruating, there will be no cervical mucus present for between 3 and 5 days. After this, there will be a small amount, and it will range in color from white to a cloudy clear, and it will be rather sticky. When you get nearer to ovulation, cervical mucus increases. It will become moist and sticky, about the consistency of hand lotions. At this point, the color will be white or cream-colored. When you are ovulating, you will have the most cervical mucus. The cervical mucus should be about the same texture and have a similar appearance to an egg white; at this stage, it is often referred to as “egg-white cervical mucus.” After ovulation, cervical mucus will decrease and become less slippery.

Not having any cervical mucus during the time immediately following your period is normal. If you have little or no cervical mucus later on in your cycle, however, this can indicate a problem. If you don’t think you have any cervical mucus, you should first make sure that you are ovulating. The best way to do this is regularly measuring your body temperature between periods. You should notice a rise in your body temperature from roughly the middle of your cycle until your next period starts. If you are not ovulating at all, you should talk to your health care provider to determine why, and what treatments might be appropriate. If you are ovulating, you can still become pregnant even with little or no cervical mucus.

To increase cervical mucus, some women have tried a variety of vitamins and herbs. Vitamin C, Nitric oxide, Lactobacilli, Grapeseed extract, and evening primrose oil have all been used by women trying to increase their cervical mucus. In addition, the active ingredient in Robitussin, guaifenesin, works to prevent the production of hostile cervical mucus and helps to promote the production of egg-white cervical mucus.

In addition, eating a balanced diet that focuses on fresh vegetables and fruits, poultry, legumes, nuts, whole grains, and seeds may help with the production of cervical mucus. Avoiding foods with saturated fats and eliminating processed foods may also help.

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• What is Hostile Cervical Mucus?
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• What Can Improve The Quantity And Quality Of Your Cervical Mucus?

This entry was posted under Fertility Issues.