Did you know that tracking your cervical fluid can tell you a bit about ovulation?
First thing's first:
A Bit About Cervical Fluid
During the menstrual cycle, when the hormone estrogen rises, cervical fluid is produced by the cervix. When this fluid is wet and slippery, it helps with conception by making it easier for the sperm to swim up the vagina and into the uterus to meet the egg.
~1-4 Days After Your Period:
About 1-4 days after your period ends, cervical fluid is typically dry or tacky.
This is before ovulation, when you are typically not fertile.
~4-6 Days After Your Period:
About 4-6 days after your period ends, cervical fluid is typically sticky and white.
This is before ovulation, when you are typically not fertile.
~7-9 Days After Your Period:
About 7-9 days after your period ends, cervical fluid is typically cloudy and creamy.
This is just before ovulation, when you may be semi-fertile.
~10-14 Days After Your Period:
About 10-14 days after your period ends, cervical fluid is typically stretchy and slippery, like raw egg white. This is just before the egg is released, when you are typically the most fertile.
Things To Note:
- Cervical fluid can provide helpful information to suggest ovulation is coming, but it does not necessarily mean ovulation actually took place.
- The days are based on a 28-day cycle, and can differ from person to person. Ovulation doesn't necessarily happen on day 14.
- Other factors can play a role in changes to cervical fluid (like medications, stress, diet, infections, etc.)
The Cervical Fluid Method:
Tracking your cervical fluid can help identify when you’re the most fertile. This information can be used by people who want to prevent pregnancy, or those who want to get pregnant.
Those who are preventing pregnancy should use protection or another form of birth control or abstain from sex during the semi-fertile and fertile days when the cervical fluid becomes cloudy, creamy, or slippery. Those who are trying to conceive can do the opposite.
Keep in mind that tracking your cervical fluid isn’t a very reliable form of contraception. Always consult your healthcare provider for guidance.
Sources:
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/21957-cervical-mucus#:~:text=Cervical%20mucus%20is%20produced%20by,the%20same%20all%20the%20time.
https://www.verywellfamily.com/fertile-cervical-mucus-but-no-ovulation-on-bbt-chart-1960234#:~:text=1%20While%20fertile%20quality%20cervical,also%20have%20irregular%20menstrual%20cycles.
https://wukawear.com/blogs/periods-a-z/vaginaldischarge?shpxid=983cb007-3b2f-4bd5-9888-9893bc5034c0