What is cervical mucus?

What is cervical mucus?

Cervical mucus, also called cervical secretion, is the secretion of the cervix. Cervical mucus is produced by the glands in the neck of the womb (cervix) and consists largely of water, but it also contains mucins (mucous substances) and amino acids as well as salts, enzymes and sugars, which are important for its function.

The consistency, pH value and quantity of the cervical mucus change during the different cycle phases. The secretion has three essential functions⁹:

• During the fertile days: A large amount of viscous cervical mucus guides the sperm on to the egg. Thanks to its alkaline pH value, the secretion also extends the lifespan of the sperm. This makes it possible for sperm to survive in the uterus for up to 5 days.
• During the infertile days: The acidic secretion blocks the passage of the sperm into the uterus. The acidic pH value of the mucus causes the sperm to die off more quickly.
• During all cycle phases: Cervical mucus protects the uterus from the entry of germs, viruses, bacteria and pathogens.

Cervical mucus is one of the reliable ovulation symptoms; it changes over the course of the menstrual cycle and thus gives clues about your ovulation and your fertile days.

How do I observe my cervical mucus?

The best way to observe your cervical mucus is several times a day, noting down the result of the best mucus quality in the evening.

How to observe your cervical mucus:

1. Wash your hands!
2. Look at your cervical mucus before urinating, using toilet paper or your clean fingers.
3. Before going to the toilet, fold the toilet paper with the mucus together and check when unfolding it whether the mucus is stretchy.
4. Alternatively, you can also check the mucus at the vaginal opening with your fingers. You can test the stretchiness with your index finger and thumb.²
5. Examine the cervical mucus for appearance, sensation and consistency.
6. Repeat the process several times a day.
7. In the evening, note down the result of the best mucus quality.

How do I analyse my cervical mucus?

Cervical mucus is divided into different categories. According to the methods of natural family planning, there are specific abbreviations for this, which simplify the analysis of the discharge.

Can’t remember them all? No problem! Feel free to print out our analysis table on the consistency of cervical mucus. That way you always have it to hand and can look it up at any time.

Finding the right cervical mucus category

You like things smart and digital? Then simply compare your observations with the category overview below and you will find the matching cervical mucus category. Afterwards, simply enter the abbreviation in your cycle sheet or your cycle app.

Analysing cervical mucus with cyclotest mySense

With the cyclotest mySense cycle app, you can analyse your cycle and, even more importantly, determine your fertility status. The basis is the measurement of the basal body temperature with the accompanying Bluetooth basal thermometer. If you also enter your cervical mucus information, the reliability increases, as more data is available. You can use this analysis of your fertile phase either to get pregnant faster or to get to know your natural cycle better.

How the analysis of cervical mucus with cyclotest mySense works:

1. Enter the observed cervical mucus consistency in the app.
2. Confirm that cyclotest mySense should include the consistency of your cervical mucus in the calculation of your fertile days and infertile days.
3. As soon as you have identified the day with the best mucus, enter this peak (‘S+H’).
4. As soon as a constant temperature high phase (three elevated readings) is also present, the cyclotest mySense app shows you as infertile.

Observing and analysing cervical mucus with cyclotest mySense

Overview of the cervical mucus categories

Here you will find a list of the categories with the corresponding abbreviations:

How reliable is cervical mucus analysis?

Good to know: Various studies have shown that women manage the classification of the different consistency levels quite well. In a study by the WHO, the observed quality peak of the secretion was on average 0.3 days after the actual LH peak.^4,5,6

Cervical mucus only shows that ovulation is coming, but does not prove whether it has actually taken place. Some women have egg maturation disorders. On the one hand, this makes it more difficult to get pregnant; on the other hand, ovulation can then take a second ‘run-up’, which is difficult if no child was wanted. Only the temperature reliably proves that ovulation has actually taken place.

If you want a baby, cervical mucus as the sole ovulation sign can of course still be helpful and tell you when the ideal time for unprotected intercourse is.

Improving cervical mucus

Diet also plays a role here: foods containing B vitamins can likewise optimise the consistency of the cervical mucus. Examples of ideal sources of B vitamins are:

• Broccoli
• Spinach
• Kale
• Brussels sprouts
• Endives
• Yeast
• Tomatoes
• or oranges.⁷

In addition, it has been found that expectorant cough remedies have the same effect, which is why they are often used in fertility treatment.¹ Cough teas with bitter substances are also an option.

How does cervical mucus change during the cycle?

The cervical mucus changes in appearance and consistency due to hormonal influences over the course of the menstrual cycle. Its consistency and quantity are subject to the influence of oestrogens and progesterone (= corpus luteum hormone):^1,10,11

• Oestrogen: This hormone is increasingly produced during the first cycle phase in the walls of the maturing egg sacs, also called follicles. The larger the follicles become, the more oestrogen is produced. The more oestrogen is produced, the stretchier and thinner the cervical mucus becomes. The oestrogen level reaches its peak shortly before ovulation. That is why the cervical mucus peak is also reached shortly before ovulation.
• Progesterone: When the follicle bursts (= ovulation), the egg sac transforms into the corpus luteum, which is why progesterone is also called the corpus luteum hormone. Progesterone reduces cervical mucus production; the secretion becomes thinner and less stretchy.
• 

What is the cervical mucus like after your period?

After the period, the mucus is rather dry or not perceptible at all. If the secretion is present, the cervical mucus is creamy or sticky.

1. Appearance: At the beginning of the cycle after the period, most women have no or hardly any secretion.
   

   Creamy, viscous cervical mucus after the period

   If cervical mucus is present, it is usually white or yellowish.

2. Sensation: For some, the entrance to the vagina even feels dry and rather uncomfortable in the time after menstruation. A few days later, a moist sensation often sets in; in some women, the cervical mucus is already visible and they can feel it.
3. Consistency: The consistency of the mucus plug is creamy and thick, often even lumpy, viscous and sticky.²

The picture shows creamy, sticky, often white cervical mucus, which hinders the sperm on their way through the vagina. Some describe it as similar to quark or yoghurt, or as milky.

What is the cervical mucus like during ovulation?

Before and during ovulation, the cervical mucus is liquid and glassy. The secretion is now stretchy and forms threads.

1. Appearance: The cervical mucus before the day of ovulation becomes increasingly glassy and transparent. This change is caused by the increased production of oestrogen by the glands of the cervix.
2. Sensation: The entrance to the vagina now feels wet, slippery and moist.
3. Consistency: The secretion is elastic, forms threads and resembles raw egg white.

Stretchy, glassy cervical mucus before ovulation

In the picture, you can recognise the egg-white-like cervical secretion. It can usually be stretched up to 10 centimetres without breaking. Because of this elasticity, it is also referred to as ‘stretchy’ cervical mucus, or one speaks of its ‘stretchiness’.

Cervical mucus is considered a reliable sign of ovulation. Ovulation pain, in contrast, is not: studies have shown that the pain felt usually deviates in time from the actual day of ovulation.⁸

What is the cervical mucus like after ovulation and before your period?

After ovulation, the cervical mucus becomes creamy and sticky again. The secretion is also yellowish or whitish again.

1. Appearance: The quality of the cervical mucus after the time of ovulation deteriorates again, i.e.,
   

   Lumpy, sticky cervical mucus after ovulation

   it becomes opaque and tough again and is no longer stretchy. Sometimes it even disappears completely.

2. Sensation: After ovulation, the vaginal opening feels dry again.
3. Consistency: Before the next period, there are normally no further changes in the cervical mucus.²

The picture shows whitish, lumpy cervical mucus. It is extremely difficult for sperm to penetrate this barrier. It is often compared to glue.

What is the cervical mucus like during the fertile days?

If you have observed the very best cervical mucus quality ‘S+’ on 3 consecutive days and notice a decline in quality on the 4th day, the 3rd day is to be marked as the mucus peak ‘S+H’.

It can be assumed that the time of ovulation lies between 2 days before and 2 days after the cervical mucus peak.

In a study by Dr. R. Ecochard, the observed mucus peak was even within +/- 1 day of ovulation.⁵

What is the cervical mucus like during the infertile days?

The infertile phase begins on the 4th day after the peak of the mucus symptom. However, a mucus peak only counts as confirmed if a poorer mucus consistency can be observed on three consecutive days. In the example chart, you can see that three poorer qualities were observed after ‘S+H’: ‘S’, ‘f’ and ‘Ø’. In this example, the infertile days begin on the 19th cycle day.

The beginning of the fertile time is more difficult to define. While the end is marked by the clear change in cervical mucus quality, these clear signs are missing at the beginning of the fertile phase. The changes in the mucus symptom are more gradual at the beginning.

To really determine whether and when ovulation has taken place, the basal body temperature must also be measured and analysed. The combination of cervical mucus observation and the temperature method, also known as the symptothermal method, is therefore recommended.

What role does cervical mucus play in natural family planning?

The analysis of cervical mucus (Billings method) together with the basal body temperature method is known as the symptothermal method. The cervical mucus symptom is the oestrogen marker, the sign that the oestrogen level rises before ovulation and that ovulation is approaching.

The basal body temperature is the progesterone marker, which proves that ovulation has taken place and that the fertile time is definitely over for this cycle. This combination, the so-called symptothermal method, is a method of natural family planning (NFP) and is considered the most reliable method of natural contraception.²

What can change cervical mucus?

Cervical mucus can be changed by the following:

• Secretion-thickening medicines, such as antihistamines, which are taken for pollen allergies for example, not only dry out the nose and make the eyes water less, but also have an effect on the cervical mucus. This can make the analysis more difficult, as the quantity decreases, but the sperm can also have a somewhat harder time.
• Arousal fluid: The body’s arousal fluid must be distinguished from the cervical secretion. It is just as clear and forms threads. When you are aroused, you cannot properly analyse your cervical mucus. If you are unsure whether it is arousal fluid, you can dissolve it in water. Unlike cervical mucus, arousal fluid dissolves.
• Abnormal discharge: On the other hand, an abnormal secretion must be distinguished. It is usually accompanied by a strong smell, itching or burning.
• Changes in hormone balance: Since the consistency and quantity of the cervical mucus are subject to the influence of oestrogen and progesterone, a change in hormone balance can also change the secretion.

What is the cervical mucus like if you are taking the pill?

Women who use hormonal contraception (for example the pill) often have no secretion and do not notice any changes in their body over the course of the cycle. This is because the production of mucus at the cervix depends on the natural hormone balance.²

What is the cervical mucus like when you are pregnant?

If a pregnancy has occurred, the hormonal changes can cause the cervical mucus to change after implantation. The discharge itself becomes scant and thick, but there is an increased production of vaginal fluid due to the high hormone level. This moisture in the vagina, which is not stretchy, very plentiful and often characterised by a milky to liquid consistency, can be a sign of pregnancy and thus an indication that implantation was successful.

Before the birth, which can be weeks or even days beforehand, larger amounts of discharge are often produced and the consistency becomes looser again. The mucus, which during pregnancy turns into a firm, almost rubbery plug and protects the baby perfectly from bacteria during its development, sometimes really does come away as the proverbial mucus plug when labour starts. Sometimes it also liquefies and comes away in portions as the cervix opens. Cervical mucus shortly before the birth can be reddish in colour due to burst blood vessels.³