Cervical mucus is a type of vaginal discharge. The importance of this secretion is lost on many. 

While most of us know it as “the annoying wet days” mid month that leave us constantly wanting to change our underwear, it has a pattern that is important for all women to be knowledgeable about.

What Does Cervical Mucus Do

Cervical mucus plays a fundamental role in the conception process by nourishing and protecting sperm as it makes its journey up the female reproductive tract to the egg.

Now you may be saying – “I have no desire to get pregnant” – and that is fine. The role of cervical mucus and its health is important for you as well.

Stay with me.

Prior to our fertile window, we have what are known as “dry days” where we don’t have wet slippery cervical mucus present.

The first indicator that you have entered your fertile window is signaled by the change in dry days to wet days. On your wet days, your underwear will be wet even without arousal.

What Does a Healthy Cervical Mucus Pattern Look Like

Your wet days change in quality as you progress through your fertile window. As you approach ovulation, your estrogen levels begin to surge which causes your cervix to secrete more mucus.

The change in your discharge also tells us your pH level is changing. Most of the month, vaginas are too acidic to be a place for sperm to thrive. 

As you approach ovulation and you go from dry days to wet days, your pH level rises to a more alkaline level making it protective for sperm to keep them alive until the egg is released. 

With healthy cervical mucus, sperm can steadily swim upwards to the uterus over a period of 2-3 days.

A healthy cervical mucus pattern looks like:

• Your mucus will increase in quantity. Often it has a creamy appearance when it becomes more present. 

• As you get closer to ovulation it gets clearer in color and more profuse. 

• The day of ovulation the mucus is clear and stretchy, like egg whites. 

• Once you are through your ovulation window, the quantity of cervical mucus will decrease and become thicker in consistency before returning to dry days for the remainder of the month.

Why Is Healthy Cervical Mucus Important

So why is the health of this mucus so important? It holds all the information you need to get or prevent pregnancy.

Cervical mucus serves as a transit system for sperm – getting them to the egg on time for ovulation. Your egg only has approximately a 24 hour window of viability to be fertilized.

It also has the ability to block and filter some of the abnormal or poor-quality sperm before they reach the uterus increasing the chances for a healthy pregnancy.

If you do not wish to get pregnant, you have a clear road map for when you need a barrier method of protection. When you aren’t producing fertile cervical mucus, your body is literally a sperm killing machine. The pH of the vagina is too acidic for sperm to survive.

The appearance of your first stage of cervical mucus signals your body is now “open for business” of making babies. 

If you don’t wish to become pregnant, you now have the ability to either: 

1. Use a barrier or 

2. Abstain from intercourse for the 7 day fertile window to prevent pregnancy.

Once your cervical mucus becomes dry again – no barrier is needed to prevent pregnancy. 

To learn more about your health, managing your fertility and what your body is telling you – Subscribe to our newsletter!