One of the keys to getting pregnant naturally is making sure that you have sex close to the
time of ovulation. There are many different ways to figure out when ovulation is going to
happen. For example, in this playlist, I talk about using apps and home ovulation tests.
What about using the changes that occur in the cervical mucous to time sex? Does
that really work? What is cervical mucus? What is a cervix? And most importantly,
what is the correct way to spell cervical mucus? I wouldn’t be YouTubes most popular and trusted
fertility expert unless I could answer the really tough questions so stay tuned.
This is a uterus. If you are a couple who is trying to conceive naturally then one
of you needs to have one of these. The uterus is connected to the vagina. When a couple has sex,
sperm are released into the vagina and must then travel through this opening to make it
into the uterus. This is known as the cervix. The cervical canal is like a long tunnel connecting
the vagina with the inside of the uterus. The walls of this tunnel however are not
smooth and straight. There are many twists and turns and folds and ridges. The cells in these
folds and ridges produce a gel like substance which is called cervical mucus. Cervical mucus
is 90-95% water mixed with some proteins which are attached to molecules of sugar.
In a person who ovulates, as the egg matures, the cells around it produce estrogen. This estrogen
causes changes in the composition of the cervical mucus. Early in the cycle, long before ovulation,
the estrogen levels are low and the cervical mucus is thick and white.This helps prevent
bacteria from getting into the uterus. It also prevents sperm from getting into the
uterus. As the egg matures, the estrogen levels increase and the cervical mucus becomes clearer,
thinner, slippery and stretchy. In fact, it is very similar to a raw egg white. This
makes it easier for sperm to get into the uterus at the time of intercourse.
It is easy to check the consistency of the cervical mucus because it drips into the vagina.
The vaginal discharge is mostly from the cervical mucus. To check the mucous, put a finger into the
vagina, pull it out and press your finger against your thumb. Then separate your finger and thumb.
Here is an important point to know. Clear, thin cervical mucus is not a sign of ovulation.
It is a sign that estrogen levels have increased. In a person who is ovulating,
high estrogen levels usually occur right before ovulation so it is a reasonably good indicator
that you are close to ovulation. This is what fertility doctors refer to as the fertile window.
This study determined that couples who had sex on the days when the cervical
mucus was slippery and clear had a better chance for getting pregnant
on that month because they were likely to be having intercourse close to the time of
ovulation. Slippery clear cervical mucus can occur 5 or 6 days before ovulation. However,
pregnancy can occur even if the cervical mucus is not slippery and clear.
In some women, cervical mucus might not be that reliable. For example,
overweight women produce higher estrogen levels so they may have clear slippery mucus all of the
time. This is also true for women who are taking estrogen. If you are using a vaginal douche,
cervical mucus may be thin and clear even when ovulation is not close. Some fertility medications
like clomid or letrozole can reduce the amount of cervical mucus even though ovulation is occurring.
Cervical mucus is most reliable when it clearly changes from thick and white to thin,
clear and slippery and then back again. If your cervical mucus
exhibits those changes and you have sex while it is slippery and clear,
then timing sex this way may work just as well as a home ovulation test.
One final important point. Some con men will try to sell you supplements or treatments to
“improve” your cervical mucus. Do not fall for this scam. Treatments
like cough syrup DO NOT improve your chance for getting pregnant. It is
still possible to get pregnant even if the cervical mucus is not ideal
One more final point. The correct spelling is m-u-c-u-s. This is a
noun. The other spelling m-u-c-o-u-s is an adjective used to describe something
like mucous membranes. There you have it. You are now an expert in cervical mucus