Second Clue - Cervical Mucus (CM)

 

Cervical Mucus (CM) is secreted by the woman's body before ovulation to improve the sperms' chances for survival and reaching the ovum. Due to the timing of its secretion, it can be used to interpret the onset of fertility. The complete absence of cervical fluid is a strong indicator of infertility.

CM is an important sign in fertility awareness. The woman's body begins to secrete estrogen shortly after menstruation, which causes glands around the cervix to secrete cervical fluid. As ovulation approaches, the amount of estrogen builds, causing the body to secrete even more fluid. The increased levels of estrogen also make the cervical fluid stretchy and clear. As the level of estrogen builds, another hormone, called lutein, is released. Lutein causes the ovaries to release the ovum. The estrogen levels decrease somewhat after ovulation, causing the cervical fluid to dry up. This drying up process normally starts on or just after the day of ovulation.

CM has several purposes in the area of human reproduction. First, it performs a lubricating function during sexual relations. Secondly, but more importantly, it provides a friendly environment for the survival of sperm after sexual relations have taken place. Without this environment, sperm would live no longer than several hours and would be literally stopped dead in their tracks, unable to move, unable to fertilize the waiting ovum. In the presence of cervical fluid, sperm are provided with both nutrients and a conduit for movement and may live up to five days in such an environment. Therefore, in addition to providing a pathway to the ovum, CM widens the fertility window beyond the daylong life span of the average ovum and hours-long life span of the average sperm. Sexual relations taking place several days before ovulation may still result in conception due to the increased viability of the sperm in the presence of fertile-quality cervical fluid.

CM is therefore a positive sign that fertility is increasing and may be used as such in fertility awareness. For pregnancy achievers, it provides an excellent pre-ovulation indicator, whereas temperature alone can only predict ovulation after the fact.

CM may be observed directly, in which case you might notice the following qualities:

During Infertile Phases 1 And 3

- Dry or none

During Fertile Phase 2

Low Fertility (Slightly Fertile)

- Thick and tacky / Cloudy and most of the time yellowish in color / Hardly stretchable

Medium Fertility (More Fertile)

- Quite a fluid / Getting clearer but remains opaque still / Quite stretchable

Peak Fertility (Most Fertile)

- Very watery and slippery / Resembling raw egg white / Highly stretchable