Cervical Mucus refers to a jelly-ish substance produced by a woman’s body during her monthly cycle.  Cervical mucus resembles the white of an egg.  Cervical mucus is an important part of conceiving.  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 to 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.

It is not uncommon for a bit of old blood that is left over from your previous menstrual cycle to show up in your cervical mucus.  In other women, blood in the cervical mucus can be very common, and a sign that she bleeds just a little whenever she ovulates.  Blood in the cervical mucus can also indicate a ruptured follicle.  In more rare cases, blood in the cervical mucus can indicate trauma to the cervix, whether through an infection or even from sexual intercourse.  Blood in your cervical mucus could also be implantation bleeding.

Implantation bleeding typically occurs around 10 to 14 days past ovulation and occurs when a fertilized egg attaches to the wall of your uterus. Implantation bleeding doesn’t occur for every woman but, when it does happen, it usually shows up as a brownish or pinkish tint to your cervical mucus. The bleeding is usually very light and lasts for a day or two. Implantation bleeding usually occurs before your period is due and much lighter than what you’d expect if you had your period.

In any case, blood in your cervical mucus is probably nothing to be worried about.  If the bleeding is particularly heavy or doesn’t stop, you should contact your health care provider to make sure that the bleeding is not indicative of a larger problem.