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The quality and quantity of cervical mucus are essential, especially during the fertility window. This helps to identify when you're most fertile and how you can avoid any potential damage. You can also talk to your doctor to check if there's any problem with your cervical mucus and how it might affect your chances of getting pregnant.
Cervical Mucus: An Overview
Cervical mucus refers to the sticky fluid that your cervix produces. The cervical mucus is discharged from your vagina, and you may often see white spotting in your underwear. The texture of cervical mucus changes significantly depending on the stages of the menstrual cycle. It usually changes colour, texture and volume.Nearing the ovulation phase, cervical mucus becomes completely clear and slippery. This consistency allows the sperm to move upwards from your cervix, thereby increasing the chances of conception.
Different Types of Cervical Mucus for Fertility
Different factors affect fertility when it comes to cervical mucus. Below are the various types of cervical mucus in regard to fertility:Type 1: Lowest fertility
At this stage, cervical mucus is typically minimal or absent, but if there are issues like bacterial vaginosis (BV) or yeast infections, the area may feel itchy, dry, and rough. Since fertility is at its lowest, you are unlikely to notice any sensations. The mucus will be thick, dry, and white in colour.Type 2: Low fertility
In cases of low fertility, cervical mucus is not visible. While you may feel a damp sensation, no mucus can be seen. This indicates that your body is experiencing low fertility.Type 3: Intermediate fertility
Intermediate fertility occurs around the time of ovulation. During this phase, cervical mucus becomes visible and appears slightly whitish. Additionally, the mucus may have a yellowish tint and feel damp, but it will not be sticky, elastic, or stretchy.Type 4: High fertility
Type 4 represents the peak of fertility. During this phase, cervical mucus is clear and transparent, resembling raw egg white. It is typically liquid, watery, and stretchy. The sensation feels slippery, wet, and smooth. If the mucus appears pink or reddish, it may indicate implantation bleeding.How Does Cervical Mucus Change During the Menstrual Cycle?
The hormonal shift during the menstrual cycle brings a massive change in the cervical mucus. Oestrogen increases during ovulation, allowing your cervix to produce fertile, egg-white mucus. This means your body is ready for the sperm to reach the egg.After ovulation, the oestrogen level drops, and the progesterone level increases. The progesterone level ensures that the fertilised egg can be implanted into the uterus to boost conception.
Here's how your cervical mucus changes during the menstrual cycle across different stages:
- Days 1-4: The mucus discharge becomes dry and tacky and has a slight yellow tinge.
- Days 4-6: The mucus gives a sticky and damp sensation. It appears white and is sticky.
- Days 7-9: The cervical mucus becomes slightly thick. It will have a yoghurt-like consistency and be wet and cloudy, reflecting a creamy consistency.
- Days 10-14: The cervical mucus becomes stretchy during this time and appears like raw egg whites. It is very wet and has a slippery appearance.
- Days 15-28: During this time, the cervical mucus becomes dry until menstruation occurs.
This is just an approximate estimation of the pattern. The mucus' appearance varies depending on your cycle. The mucus quality is also affected by various factors like PCOS, thyroid disorders, and cervical stenosis.
Causes for Changes in Cervical Mucus
It is essential to keep a check on your cervical mucus. This is to ensure that everything is in proper shape and that you can eventually work towards affecting the quality of cervical mucus. You should be mindful of using Antihistamines and clomiphene as they can lead to dry or thin mucus.Some of the common factors affecting cervical mucus are as follows:
- Hormonal birth control
- Breastfeeding
- Use of lubricants during sex
- Sexually transmitted diseases (STIs)
- Medications
- Stress
- Lifestyle changes
- Cervical surgery
- Yeast infections
- Bacterial vaginosis
How to Improve Cervical Mucus for Fertility?
If you want to increase your chances of conception with healthy cervical mucus, it is extremely important to follow a strict routine. Every factor can significantly impact, from a regular lifestyle to dietary changes. Some of the key ways to improve cervical mucus for fertility are as follows: Stay hydrated
You must stay hydrated to ensure that your body produces enough mucus. If you aren't hydrated, cervical mucus might become thick, making it difficult for the sperm to move. Moreover, when you are trying to conceive, you must not consume alcohol or caffeine.Follow a strict diet
Always have a strict diet, especially when consuming healthy vegetables. Consuming green vegetables like spinach, kale, and others can be beneficial as they contain folate. A nutrient-rich diet can eventually play an essential role in mucus production. Plan intercourse timely
You need to be careful when planning intercourse. Your cervical mucus helps you understand your fertile window, so it’s important to time things right. The fertile window usually falls around ovulation, which is about 14 days before your next period. This is the best time to try for a baby.Avoid chemical-based feminine products
While feminine hygiene washes claim to keep you clean and fresh, they're not always safe for regular use. These feminine products, such as douches, harsh soaps or scented sprays, may contain a few chemicals which can hamper the pH balance in your vaginal area preventing mucus production. If you want to use any such product, it is advisable to use chemical-free feminine products. Dietary Considerations To Improve Cervical Mucus
Your diet has a huge role to play in improving cervical mucus. It is crucial to time everything properly and have a balanced diet ready. Here are some of the primary dietary considerations that you can follow eventually to improve cervical mucus: Carrot consumption
Consuming carrots can play an essential role in enhancing the chances of cervical fertilisation. Carrots are one of the best sources of beta-carotene, further responsible for boosting vitamin A production in the body. If you consume vitamin A-rich foods, you'll contribute to the production of cervical mucus in your body.Avoid caffeine
If you want to improve your cervical mucus quality, it is advisable to limit caffeine intake. Therefore, you must avoid caffeine in almost every form, like soda, ice cream, chocolates and even coffee. Caffeine can prevent conception chances as it dehydrates the body. A dehydrated body will eventually not be able to produce good-quality cervical fluid.Consume vitamin C
When it comes to maintaining your overall health, you can't rule out how important vitamin C is. To boost cervical mucus production and its quality, it is advisable to consume vitamin C. You can get vitamin C from various citrus fruits. Vitamin C gives cervical mucus a slightly watery texture. Maintain a green vegetable diet
Give up on all the unhealthy foods and adopt a complete green vegetable diet. The green vegetable diet can create an alkaline environment in your body, allowing more cervical mucus to be produced. This makes it easier for the sperm to move easily. You should consume green vegetables such as spring onions and beans. Drink grapefruit juice
Grapefruit is one of the most nutritious fruits. Consuming grapefruit improves the texture of cervical mucus and increases its quantity. During or before your ovulation period, you should consider drinking grapefruit juice. It can play an essential role in ensuring that you can conceive faster.Importance Of Fertile Cervical Mucus For Natural Conception
Fertile cervical mucus is extremely important to increase your natural conception rates. Healthy mucus can help to avoid infection and indirectly improve fertility. Some of the key reasons why your body needs a fertile cervical mucus are as follows: Identify fertile windows
Your cervical mucus can easily indicate the most fertile window of your body. Around 2-3 days before ovulation, cervical mucus becomes completely white and stretchy, indicating that your body is in the most fertile window. Tracking this can help you identify the chances of conception. Sperm longevity and fertilisation
When your cervical mucus is at its most fertile, it increases the lifespan and viability of the sperm. The cervical mucus allows the sperm to easily move through the cervix and reach the egg for fertilisation.Increase natural conception chances
A fertile cervical mucus can play an essential role in increasing the chances of fertilisation. The fertile cervical mucus allows easy movement of the sperm, thereby allowing you to conceive naturally.Hormonal influence
Cervical mucus can change because of hormonal influence. This eventually plays an essential role in ensuring significant growth, and the tracked changes help you understand if your body is undergoing any hormonal changes.Tracking
The changes in your cervical mucus play an essential role in tracking your body's changes. It helps you identify when your body is most fertile. If you plan to conceive a child, you should be able to do it in your most fertile window.Sperm transport
The vagina has an acidic environment, which can kill the sperm in a few hours after its entry. On the other hand, the alkaline nature of cervical mucus extends the lifespan of the sperm in the uterus to up to five days. Therefore, the sperm can survive, move, and increase their chances of conception. The smooth pathway allows the sperm to move from the vagina to the uterus.Sperm protection
Since cervical mucus creates an alkaline environment, it plays a vital role in preventing the sperm from dying in an acidic environment.Sperm selection
Cervical mucus is a type of natural filter which allows the movement of only healthy sperm. Therefore, only the motile sperm will be able to survive, thereby increasing the chances of conception as the sperm reaches the uterus.Medicinal Factors For Cervical Mucus Issues
Cervical mucus issues can be hazardous, especially when you are trying to conceive. This can have a negative impact on the cervical mucus. It can be easily addressed via different medicinal therapies. Additionally, positive life changes are advisable, especially in overcoming cervical mucus issues. Some of the common aspects that can address the cervical mucus issues are as follows:
Oestrogen therapy
Low oestrogen can often produce thin and unfavourable mucus conditions in the body. If you have cervical mucus issues, it is advisable to undergo oestrogen therapy. Undergoing oestrogen therapy can boost mucus production and also improve its quality. Improved cervical mucus production in your body allows the sperm to move efficiently across the cervix.IUI
Intrauterine insemination can also be one of the most effective ways to address cervical mucus issues. If there is low cervical mucus in your body, IUI directly deposits the sperm into the uterus. Not only does it increase the chances of conception, but it also plays an essential role in overcoming infertility due to poor cervical mucus in women.Check underlying conditions
Sometimes, cervical mucus may change due to an underlying condition, especially an infection like cervicitis. Hormonal changes can also cause production and quality changes.Reaching out to a healthcare professional can play an essential role in overcoming these underlying conditions. Furthermore, you will also have to watch out for infections. Always take antibiotics and antifungals as per your healthcare expert's recommendations.
By maintaining a healthy lifestyle, staying hydrated, and following a balanced diet, you can improve the quality and quantity of your cervical mucus, enhancing your chances of conception. If you notice any unusual changes or challenges, consult a healthcare professional to address potential issues and support your reproductive health.
FAQs on How to Improve Cervical Mucus for Better Conception Chances?
- What kind of mucus/discharge indicates pregnancy?
When your mucus is slightly milky white, it may indicate pregnancy. The discharge will be thin in consistency. - What is the best mucus for conception?
The egg-white cervical mucus during ovulation is often considered the best for conception. During this time, the cervical mucus will resemble a raw egg white, clear, transparent and stretchy.
