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Period & Fertility Tracking

Visualizing Changes in Your Cervical Fluid (Cervical Mucus)

This excerpt from The Cycle was written by Groove’s founder Jennifer Aldoretta

Cervical mucus. Vaginal discharge. Ovulation discharge. Cervical fluid. Egg white discharge. That gunk made by your cervix. The goo you find in your underwear. The weird stuff that sticks to toilet paper when you wipe. Cervical fluid, or cervical mucus, goes by many names, but being able to visualize how it changes throughout your menstrual cycle, what causes it to change and why, and what exactly that means is a powerful teaching tool.

Before you dive in to this information, I recommend reading this blog post about 6 common areas of cervical fluid confusion that you probably didn’t know you were confused about! You can also watch a video about how to (properly) check your cervical fluid here.

First, what IS cervical fluid (cervical mucus)?

Cervical fluid, or cervical mucus, is a fluid that’s produced by the cells of your cervix (the passageway between the uterus and the vagina). It plays a vital role in getting pregnant or in preventing pregnancy.

Cervical fluid is different than vaginal fluid (or vaginal discharge), which is the natural moistness of your vagina. Cervical fluid is often experienced as vaginal discharge, and can leave stains inside your underwear, especially leading up to ovulation.

Many women worry that thick, pasty, white (or yellow) discharge means they have an infection, but that’s not the case at all! Cervical fluid, also known as cervical mucus, is a healthy secretion produced by your body.

Shown below are images and videos of the cervical fluid changes that took place during a single menstrual cycle in one individual. Each body is unique, and so is each person’s cervical fluid pattern! The images and videos shown on this page cannot possibly represent every single type of cervical fluid, but hopefully it will make it easier to learn about your unique pattern and what that means about your unique body.

 

Cervical Fluid (Cervical Mucus) Before Ovulation

Ovulation is the release of a matured egg from your ovaries, and it typically takes place a few weeks after the first day of your period. Cervical fluid production is the result of hormone changes that occur during this time. Your fluid goes through many changes between the first day of your period and the day of ovulation, and your cervix can begin making it any time after your period ends (and even before your period ends if you have long periods).

This section shows the cervical fluid changes that are common during the first few weeks after your period begins. However, your individual pattern will very likely differ from the one below.

 

Right After Menstruation: No Cervical Fluid

The first few days after your period ends may be “dry,” meaning that no cervical fluid (cervical mucus) is being produced by your cervix (as seen in the image below). During these “dry” days, sperm are unable to survive inside your reproductive tract due to the naturally low pH (and high acidity) of your vaginal environment. Even when cervical fluid is not present, a slight moisture will still be present in the vagina — this vaginal fluid is a natural secretion that helps keep your vaginal bacterial ecosystem healthy and balanced.

WORD OF CAUTION: Even if you think your cervical fluid is not fertile and sperm-friendly on a particular day, it is imperative to learn and follow the rules of the sympto-thermal method in order to practice natural (highly effective) birth control by tracking cervical fluid.

 
“Dry” day, or no visible cervical fluid present.

“Dry” day, or no visible cervical fluid present.

 

Day 1 of Cervical Fluid Production: Sticky + a Little Slippery

After your period ends, your cervix will begin producing cervical fluid, and this means that your body is ramping up to ovulate. The purpose of cervical fluid is to keep sperm alive and help it reach your egg — when cervical fluid is present, sperm can survive in your reproductive tract for up to 5 days waiting for an egg to be released.

Cervical fluid typically starts out thick, tacky, sticky, or pasty, and it may even be creamy, milky, or lotiony. Watch a video of how to check your cervical fluid here. It may also be mixed with a small amount of slippery fluid, as is the case in the images and video below.

If cervical fluid (cervical mucus) feels even a little slick or slippery (like raw egg white) when you rub it between your fingers, then this fluid is considered very fertile and sperm-friendly.

WORD OF CAUTION: Even if you think your cervical fluid is not fertile and sperm-friendly on a particular day, it is imperative to learn and follow the rules of the sympto-thermal method in order to practice natural (highly effective) birth control by tracking cervical fluid.

 
Sticky and slightly slippery cervical fluid before ovulation.

Sticky and slightly slippery cervical fluid before ovulation.

 
 

Day 2 of Cervical Fluid Production: Slippery + a Little Sticky & Tacky

The first day of cervical fluid included mostly sticky and tacky fluid and a very small amount of slippery fluid. Today, however, cervical fluid has become mostly slippery, and only includes a small amount of sticky, tacky fluid. As ovulation approaches during the coming days, cervical fluid will continue to become increasingly wet and slippery.

Read about 6 common things that confuse people about cervical fluid. If cervical fluid feels even a little slick or slippery (like raw egg white) when you rub it between your fingers, then this fluid is considered fertile and sperm-friendly. Watch a video of how to check your cervical fluid here.

Learn how to practice natural birth control by tracking cervical fluid (cervical mucus).

 
Slippery fluid, slightly sticky and tacky.

Slippery fluid, slightly sticky and tacky.

 

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Day 3 of Cervical Fluid Production: Cloudy, Springy, Slippery, Stretchy

Cervical fluid is continuing to become increasingly wet and slippery. Today, the fluid is cloudy, slick and slippery, and very stretchy. The increasing water content of this fluid can keep sperm alive inside the female reproductive tract for many days, and it helps sperm travel through the reproductive tract to reach the egg.

If cervical fluid feels even a little slick or slippery (like raw egg white) when you rub it between your fingers, then this fluid is considered fertile and sperm-friendly.

If you’re confused about your own cervical fluid, here are 6 super common things that confuse people about cervical fluid.

Learn how to practice natural birth control by tracking cervical fluid (cervical mucus).

 

Cloudy, Springy, Slippery, Stretchy Cervical Fluid

 
 

Day 4 of Cervical Fluid Production: Cloudy, Wet, Slippery, Stretchy

Today, the water content of the slippery, fertile cervical fluid has visibly increased. The fluid is less springy, more wet, and more slick and slippery, making it very hospitable to sperm. This slick and slippery cervical mucus means that ovulation is getting closer.

If cervical fluid feels even a little slick or slippery (like raw egg white) when you rub it between your fingers, then this fluid is considered fertile and sperm-friendly.

If you’re confused about your own cervical fluid, here are 6 super common things that confuse people about cervical fluid.

Learn how to practice natural birth control by tracking cervical fluid (cervical mucus).

 

Cloudy, Wet, Slippery, Stretchy Cervical Fluid

 
 

Peak Day Cervical Mucus (Ovulation Discharge)

 

Day 5 of Cervical Fluid Production: Clear, Wet, Slippery, Stretchy

Cervical fluid around the time of ovulation (Ovulation Discharge), takes on very specific qualities. The water content of this cervical mucus is very high, making it clear, very slick and slippery, and extremely sperm-friendly. As you can see in the images and video below, this fluid has a very slight pink coloration from ovulatory spotting, which is common just before ovulation occurs. (Watch a video of how to properly check cervical fluid.)

As you’ll see in the images and videos on Day 6 and Day 7 of cervical fluid production below, the cervical fluid begins to dry up after today. That makes today the last day of slippery cervical mucus for this menstrual cycle — the last day of slippery cervical fluid is called the Peak Day because it is the “peak” (or height) or fertile fluid during the menstrual cycle.

Most medical experts agree that the “Peak Day” is the most fertile day of the whole menstrual cycle, and is the day that ovulation (or the release of an egg) most likely takes place. That’s why this is often called Ovulation Discharge, or Peak Day cervical fluid.

If you’re confused about your own cervical fluid, here are 6 super common things that confuse people about cervical fluid.

Learn how to practice natural birth control by tracking cervical fluid (cervical mucus).

 

Slippery, wet, clear, pink-tinged cervical fluid

 

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Cervical Fluid (Cervical Mucus) After Ovulation

Day 6 of Cervical Fluid Production: White, Sticky, Tacky (NOT Slippery)

Today, cervical fluid has returned to being sticky, tacky, and pasty. Since yesterday was the last day of wet, slippery cervical fluid before it began to dry up, it’s considered the Peak Day and the most fertile day of the menstrual cycle.

After ovulation, hormone changes cause slick, slippery (sperm-friendly) cervical fluid to “dry up”. The cervix often still makes cervical fluid after ovulation, but its consistency will be sticky, tacky, creamy, pasty, milky, lotiony, and even stretchy. However, it will NOT feel slick, slippery, or lubricative when rubbed between your fingers, and it will NOT be sperm-friendly. Here are 6 super common things that confuse people about cervical fluid.

WORD OF CAUTION: Even if you think your cervical fluid is not fertile and sperm-friendly on a particular day, this does not make it safe for unprotected sex. In the 48 hours after ovulation has occurred, the ovulated egg(s) are still potentially alive and well and waiting to be fertilized. It is also possible for slippery cervical fluid to “dry up” even if ovulation hasn’t happened yet, and it is not safe to have unprotected sex unless you have confirmed ovulation. You must learn and follow the rules of the sympto-thermal method in order to practice natural (highly effective) birth control by tracking cervical fluid.

Sticky, Tacky, Pasty Cervical Fluid (NOT Slippery)

 
 

Day 7 of Cervical Fluid Production: White, Sticky, Tacky, Stretchy (NOT Slippery)

After ovulation, hormone changes cause cervical fluid to dry up, but your body may still produce cervical mucus until your next period begins.

There’s a common misconception that all stretchy cervical fluid is fertile fluid. However, post-ovulatory cervical mucus that appears during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle may be sticky, tacky, creamy, pasty, milky, lotiony, and yes even stretchy (as is the case with the below image and video). However, cervical fluid produced after ovulation will NOT be slippery or lubricative, and it will NOT be sperm-friendly. Here are 6 super common things that confuse people about cervical fluid.

WORD OF CAUTION: Even if you think your cervical fluid is not fertile and sperm-friendly on a particular day, this does not make it safe for unprotected sex. In the 48 hours after ovulation has occurred, the ovulated egg(s) are still potentially alive and well and waiting to be fertilized. It is also possible for slippery cervical fluid to “dry up” even if ovulation hasn’t happened yet, and it is not safe to have unprotected sex unless you have confirmed ovulation. You must learn and follow the rules of the sympto-thermal method in order to practice natural (highly effective) birth control by tracking cervical fluid.

White, sticky, tacky, stretchy cervical fluid (NOT slippery)

 
 

Still Confused About Your Cervical Fluid?

Checking or tracking your cervical fluid, or cervical mucus, can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. Most of us know about cervical fluid because we see it in our underwear or on a piece of toilet paper…but that’s just the tip of the iceberg! If you’re not sure how to properly check your cervical fluid (besides seeing it in your underwear), watch a video of how to properly check your cervical fluid here.

To learn more about the qualities and characteristics of cervical that you should be paying attention to (and which ones you should ignore), check out this post about 6 super common things that confuse people about cervical fluid.

Learn how to practice natural birth control by tracking cervical mucus.

Sign up for our cervical fluid online course.

 

Tracking Your Cervical Fluid = Tracking Your Health

Cervical fluid, also known as cervical mucus, can tell you a lot about the state of your hormone health and the health of your periods. Having tons and tons of cervical fluid for weeks on end, for example, usually indicates abnormally high levels of the sex hormone called estrogen (and potentially low levels of the sex hormone called progesterone).

On the other hand, too little cervical fluid, or cervical fluid that never becomes wet and slippery can mean the opposite. Healthy hormones and healthy periods are absolutely VITAL for good overall health.

Learn more about how to use cervical fluid to track your reproductive health.

 
 

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