Lesson 5 ~ All about Cervical Fluid

~Fertility Friend
Lesson 5
All about Cervical Fluid


Lesson Objectives:

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Understand the role of cervical fluid in reproduction and fertility charting.
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Learn how to identify and recognize what different cervical fluid types reveal about your fertility status.

Major Points in this Lesson:

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Cervical fluid changes throughout the menstrual cycle and is a primary fertility sign.
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Cervical fluid is the best sign for learning about the presence of estrogen in your bloodstream.
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Cervical fluid is one of the best signs to tell you when you are most fertile before ovulation.
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When estrogen is high and you are most fertile, cervical fluid is stretchy and resembles raw egg white.
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When you are trying to conceive, it is recommended to have intercourse whenever you observe fertile quality cervical fluid.
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Cervical fluid has similar properties to semen and serves similar functions: to support, nourish and transport sperm.
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In a typical menstrual cycle, cervical fluid starts out scant and dry just after menstruation, becoming sticky or pasty, then creamy before the more fertile, watery and egg white fluid is observed when you are most fertile around ovulation. After ovulation, cervical fluid is again scant and dry.
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Ovulation usually occurs around the last day that fertile quality cervical fluid is observed. This is often called the "peak" day.


More...

Cervical fluid (CF) is also sometimes called cervical mucus (CM). It refers to the fluid produced by the crypts of the cervix during the menstrual cycle. Changing throughout the menstrual cycle in response to ovarian hormones, cervical fluid is observable at the cervix or as it passes into the vagina.


The easiest and most effective way to know about the presence and quantity of estrogen in your bloodstream (and hence gain clues about your fertility status) is to examine your cervical fluid as it changes during your menstrual cycle. Observing these changes offers a primary fertility sign that can tell you a great deal about what is going on with your fertility.


When you are not fertile, at the beginning of your cycle and after ovulation, cervical fluid is dry and scant or sticky and cannot be penetrated by sperm. At these non-fertile times, the vagina is quite acidic and is even hostile to sperm. Cervical fluid at this time forms a barrier that plugs the cervical canal and prevents bacteria from entering the uterus.

As the presence of estrogen dramatically increases as ovulation approaches, this stimulates the production of large amounts of cervical fluid that is thin, stretchy, watery and alkaline- and receptive to sperm penetration. This most fertile fluid is best described as resembling raw egg white.

"Egg white" cervical fluid provides nourishment for sperm and allows them to move and thrive for the few days around ovulation when you are most fertile. When this kind of cervical fluid is present, sperm can be nourished and transported within your reproductive tract. Once in your reproductive tract in fertile cervical fluid, the sperm can wait for the egg to be released. This "egg white" fluid is usually observed in the most fertile days just before ovulation, drying up quickly after ovulation.

Ovulation is most likely to occur on the last day that fertile quality cervical fluid is observed, though this can vary. This day is often called the "peak" cervical fluid day, even though it may not be the day where the most fertile cervical fluid is observed. Cervical fluid observations, however, cannot tell you definitively that you have ovulated- just that estrogen is high, and ovulation is probably approaching.

Cervical fluid observations tell when you are most likely to be fertile and offer an excellent way to time baby-making intercourse. To know for sure that you have actually ovulated and are no longer fertile, you will need to chart your temperature as well and observe a thermal shift (temperature rise) on your chart.

The prime advantage of the cervical fluid sign is its ability to answer the question "Am I now fertile?" which is at least as relevant as the question "When did I ovulate?" It is not necessarily the same question.

Amazing Cervical Fluid

The main function of fertile cervical fluid in reproduction is similar to that of semen: as a medium for sperm nourishment and migration. Sperm survival and migration after intercourse is important because conception is rarely timed to exactly coincide with ovulation. Successful fertilization depends on the storage and constant release of sperm to the female upper reproductive tract at around ovulation time. Increased cervical fluid may also cause an increase in libido (sex drive) and produces lubrication to make intercourse more comfortable and pleasurable at this time.


Cervical Fluid supports sperm survival in the following ways:


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They are admitted into the reproductive tract from the vaginal environment.
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They are filtered, leaving only morphologically normal sperm to proceed.
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They are nurtured and supported biochemically.
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They are stored for later release so that there can be a constant supply to ensure that sperm release can be coordinated with ovulation so that conception can occur.

"Typical" Cervical Fluid Pattern

While your cervical fluid pattern may vary from cycle to cycle and it may vary from woman to woman, a typical cervical fluid pattern looks like this:

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Immediately following menstruation there is usually a dry vaginal sensation and there is little or no cervical fluid.
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After a few days of dryness, there is normally a cervical fluid that is best described as "sticky" or "pasty" but not wet. While this kind of cervical fluid is not conducive to sperm survival these days may be considered as "possibly fertile" if found before ovulation.
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Following these "sticky" days, most women generally notice a cervical fluid that is best described as "creamy". This fluid may be white, yellow or beige in color and has the look and feel of lotion or cream. At this point the vagina may feel wet and this indicates possible increased fertility.
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The most fertile cervical fluid now follows. This most fertile fluid looks and feels like raw egg white. It is slippery and may be stretched several inches between your fingers. It is usually clear and may be very watery. The vagina feels wet and lubricated. These days are considered most fertile. This is the fluid that is the most friendly and receptive to sperm. It looks a lot like semen and, like semen, can act as a transport for sperm.
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After ovulation, fertile fluid dries up very quickly and the vagina remains more or less dry until the next cycle. Some women may notice small amounts of fertile-looking fluid after ovulation as the corpus luteum produces small amounts of estrogen, but you are not at all fertile after ovulation has been confirmed.

Cervical Fluid Type


Corresponding Fertility Status

Dry


Probably Not Fertile

Sticky


Probably Not Fertile

Creamy


Possibly Fertile

Watery


Fertile

Egg white


Most Fertile


Note: You may be fertile for up to a few days after observing fertile cervical fluid. FertilityFriend.com's Fertility Analyzer recognizes the cervical fluid types and will alert you to your fertility status based on the day's signs as well as previous days' signs if you may still be fertile.

Scant Cervical Fluid

What do I do if I don't see any fertile cervical fluid? What can I do to increase my cervical fluid?

If you are having trouble finding cervical fluid, doing kegel exercises (tensing and relaxing the muscles that control the flow of urine) may help to push cervical fluid to the vaginal opening and make observation easier. (Avoid doing kegels within the first half hour or so after intercourse though as this could push the semen and therefore the sperm away from the cervix, which is exactly where you want them to be). Exercise and bowel movements also push cervical fluid to the vaginal opening making observation easier. You may find that the best time to check your cervical fluid is after a bowel movement.

If you do not see fertile cervical fluid externally, you might want to to try checking internally. (Use clean fingers with clipped nails and try to "scoop" it close to your cervix). You may actually find that you have some up at your cervix where it really counts. If you still do not see any fertile cervical fluid, your first step is to make sure you are not dehydrated. Drink plenty of water and, unless medically needed, avoid products such as antihistamines that can dry up secretions.

When cervical fluid is scant or absent, it is more important to try to time intercourse for as close to ovulation as possible, since sperm will not be able to survive as long while waiting for the egg to be released.

If you consistently notice that cervical fluid is scant or absent and you have been trying to conceive for a few cycles or more, then this is something to talk to your doctor about. Your charts may help your doctor identify where the issue lies (if there is one) so bring them along. It is best to consult your doctor before trying any kind of remedy to try to increase your cervical fluid.

Sperm survival in cervical fluid

How long can sperm survive in fertile cervical fluid?

The longest that sperm can survive in fertile (eggwhite) cervical fluid is five days. All pregnancies can be attributed to intercourse that takes place within the five days before ovulation and the day of ovulation.

Sperm, however, do not typically survive for five days, even in fertile cervical fluid. A life span of 2-3 days is much more typical for sperm, even in fertile cervical fluid- less if there is no fertile cervical fluid.

To maximize your chances of conception, keep having intercourse until ovulation is confirmed by a clear and sustained thermal shift as intercourse closer to ovulation is much more likely to get you pregnant.

Lubricants

Should I use a lubricant or any other product to increase my cervical fluid?

A lubricant is meant to replace arousal fluid, not cervical fluid. Lubricants should only be used while trying to conceive if you cannot have sex comfortably without one. No lubricants, even ones that claim to be sperm-friendly or sperm-neutral, are meant to be a replacement for cervical fluid and most are unfriendly to sperm.

Saliva is also unfriendly to sperm and should not be used as a lubricant while trying to conceive.

If you must use a lubricant to have intercourse, check with your doctor or pharmacist to find the one that is right for you that will be most friendly to sperm. Keep in mind though that no lubricant enhances your chances of conception. A lubricant can only help you conceive if you would not or could not have intercourse without it.

Additionally, when using a lubricant, you may find that identifying your cervical fluid type is more challenging as the lubricant may mask your cervical fluid. If you are in doubt about your cervical fluid type and it is a potentially fertile time, record "eggwhite" or "watery" so that it is recognized as a potentially fertile day. It is also recommended to record your use of the lubricant in the notes section of your chart so that you will be able to identify a potential cause for any unusual observations.
Arousal Fluid

When I check my cervical fluid before having sex it usually feels slippery. Should I record "eggwhite"?

Arousal fluid feels a lot like fertile cervical fluid but is secreted by your vagina, while cervical fluid is produced by your cervix. Both feel wet and slippery and both help to make intercourse more pleasurable and comfortable. Arousal fluid, unlike fertile cervical fluid, may be felt at any time during your cycle when you feel sexually stimulated. It may also be felt for up to several hours after any kind of sexually arousing activity. If you are checking your cervical fluid before having intercourse when you are already aroused, it will usually feel slippery and it may be hard to tell the difference between the two kinds of fluids. Though the fluids feel similar, arousal fluid usually feels slightly more watery and will not usually stretch much. To avoid confusion, it is recommended to check your cervical fluid when you are not feeling particularly aroused.