Importance of cervical mucus
According to Chinese medicine theory, the menstrual cycle involves not only changes in reproductive physiology but also energetic shifts, encompassing yin, yang, qi, and blood, which are reflected in the different phases of the cycle.
Table of Centents
In some cases, infertility patients may appear healthy and robust, often at a relatively young age, yet experience difficulties conceiving. Chinese medicine practitioners are trained to detect subtle signs of imbalance during evaluations. One such subtle clue is the state of cervical mucus. Within Chinese medicine, tracking cervical mucus is highly valued as it represents the Yin energy, which supports the growth of the follicle and promotes a healthy endometrial tissue.
It is very important for women who are trying to conceive to understand the best time for conceiving. There are various methods to help determine when the best time for conception is. One of the most effective and cost-efficient techniques is observing changes in cervical mucus.
It’s important to acknowledge that external factors can influence cervical mucus, including:
- Stress
- Medications or drugs (inc. Clomid)
- If you may be pre-menopausal
- Illness
- Dieting, weight change or fasting
- Travel
It is crucial to report any changes in cervical mucus to your Chinese medicine doctor or acupuncturist so that they can adjust the treatment plan to enhance mucus production. Typically, when a client exhibits favourable fertile mucus and experiences a successful ovulation, it indicates a positive outcome.
So, How Do You Observe Cervical Mucus?
There are three methods you can choose from, depending on your comfort level:
- Toilet Paper: Observe the mucus found after wiping.
- External Observation: Use your fingers to feel for mucus around the opening of your vagina.
- Internal Observation: Insert your index and third fingers into your vagina, reaching the cervix, and gently sweep to check the mucus from the cervix.
Once you have some mucus on your fingers, place it between your thumb and index finger, then press them together and stretch the mucus. Pay attention to its behaviour:
- Does it stretch?
- Does it retain its shape and feel sticky?
- Is it slippery?
- Is it clear, yellow, or cloudy?
Take note of these characteristics.
Infertile mucus
After your period for 3 to five days, you may find that you have no mucus (dry). Any mucus that is seen at this time is infertile. If you do find mucus, it will likely be sticky and may come out as a blob.
Words women use to describe their infertile mucus at this time include:
- Thick
- Dense
- Sticky
- Flaky
- Tacky
Infertile mucus feels drier to touch than fertile mucus. It may be yellow, white or opaque. Upon observation by touch between your thumb and index finger, you will find that it does not stretch or move – it is quite thick.
Fertile mucus
Cervical mucus will become moist but sticky, about the consistency of a hand lotion product, just days before you ovulate. At this stage, the colour will range from white to cream-coloured. If your cervical mucus appears this way, there is some chance for conception.
When you are ovulating, you will have the most cervical mucus. The cervical mucus should be about the same texture and have a similar appearance to an egg white; at this stage, it is often referred to as “egg-white cervical mucus.” Finger testing will allow the mucus to stretch quite a ways (several centimetres) before it breaks (if it breaks at all). This is the time, during ovulation, when you are most likely to become pregnant.
Words women use to describe their fertile mucus include:
- Wet
- Slippery
- Watery
- Clear
- Thin
- Fluid
After ovulation
If your cervical mucus resembles an egg white but is less slippery, it indicates that you have recently completed ovulation. This typically occurs between the end of ovulation and the start of your next period. While there is still a chance for conception during this time, it is relatively low.
Regularly checking your cervical mucus can help you determine your current position in the menstrual cycle. By tracking changes in your cervical mucus over several months, you can gain a better understanding of the number of days from the end of your period until ovulation occurs. This information allows you to identify the optimal time for conception.
Best time for conception
It is best for couples to have unprotected sex every few days throughout the cycle, however studies have shown that most couple conceive through sex two to three days prior to ovulation. So as soon as the mucous become fertile is a good time to start.
| Cycle | -8 | -7 | -6 | -5 | -4 | -3 | -2 | -1 | Rise in temperature | +1 | +2 |
| Probability | 0.3 | 1.4 | 2.7 | 6.8 | 17.6 | 23.7 | 25.5 | 21.2 | 10.3 | 0.8 | 0.38 |
Study
3175 cycles with 434 pregnancies. Reference point is the first day of elevated temperatures; ovulation itself usually occurs on the day before the rise in temperature.
References
- http://www.bellybelly.com.au/conception/cervical-mucus-can-indicate-ovulation-fertile
- http://www.jadeinstitute.com/jade/understanding-fertility.php
- http://www.babyhopes.com/articles/cervical-mucus.html
- Andreas A. Noll & Sabine Wilms (2010) Chinese medicine in fertility disorders, Thieme Stuttgart & New York