What Is Cervical Mucus Monitoring?

Cervical mucus monitoring is a method of identifying your ovulation cycle to aid in the conception of a pregnancy. If you’re planning to conceive, it’s helpful to understand how to monitor your cervical mucus so you know when to have sex.

At Raveco Medical, our experienced OB/GYNs provide resources that help you track changes in your cervical mucus. We also offer comprehensive prenatal care to support a safe and healthy pregnancy.

What to know about cervical mucus

Cervical mucus is a fluid your cervix produces to prevent bacteria and other substances from entering the cervix.

The fluid also plays a key role in helping sperm travel through the cervix, so fertilization can occur. When your estrogen hormone levels peak right before ovulation, your cervical mucus changes in consistency and appearance.

By tracking changes in your cervical mucus, you can predict the best time to have sex to increase your chances of getting pregnant.

How cervical mucus monitoring works

Cervical mucus changes during hormone shifts of your menstrual cycle. There are four categories (types) of cervical mucus changes:

Type 1

In the initial days after your period ends, mucus will be white or yellowish and feel dry. This point indicates the lowest fertility time.

Type 2

Cervical mucus will be white or yellow and feel sticky like a paste. Your fertility rate is also low at this stage.

Type 3

Type 3 cervical mucus is creamy and thick. This change indicates an intermediate fertility level.

Type 4

When your cervical mucus becomes transparent and stretches like an egg white, you’re at a time of peak fertility when your ovaries are ready to release an egg for fertilization.

Generally, when your mucus reaches the type 4 stage, you have about a four-day window of high fertility. If you conceive successfully at this time, your cervical mucus will continue to produce a sticky, transparent mucus.

How to identify cervical mucus

Initially, it can take some practice to differentiate cervical mucus from other fluids. If you’re planning to use cervical mucus monitoring to support your chances of conception, our providers can provide additional resources to help you correctly monitor your ovulation cycle.

Other fluids that may be present before, during, and active sexual activity, include:

Arousal fluid

Women produce fluid during sexual arousal to lubricate the vagina for sex. Arousal fluid is clear and slippery.

A key difference between it and cervical mucus is that arousal fluid evaporates within an hour while mucus doesn’t.

Seminal fluid

During ejaculation, a man releases seminal fluid that contains sperm and other substances. Seminal fluid becomes watery within 30 minutes of intercourse and fully leaves the vagina within 14 hours of sex.

Foul-smelling discharge

Foul-smelling vaginal discharge can be a symptom of a vaginal infection. To prevent complications an infection can cause, be sure to schedule a diagnostic evaluation with us at Raveco Medical.

What to do about an absence of cervical mucus

If you can’t identify cervical mucus during any stage, it may be a warning sign of an underlying ovulation disorder, infection, or other medical issues.

Our team completes a pelvic exam and can check your cervix for an active infection, scar tissue, and other abnormalities. We can also customize a treatment plan to address conditions that interfere with cervical mucus production.

We work closely with you during all stages of your conception journey, so you have the support you need to achieve a healthy, happy pregnancy and the family of your dreams.

Contact our Raveco Medical office in Forest Hills or Woodside, New York, to learn more about cervical mucus monitoring by phone, or book a consultation online today.