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FertileCM
is designed to help a woman produce her own cervical
fluids - naturally. Cervical mucus (a
fluid that is secreted from inside the cervix)
plays a important role in achieving pregnancy.
During most of a woman's cycle, very little cervical
fluids are produced. However, around the time
a woman ovulates, the presence of cervical mucus
increases in order to help nourish sperm and facilitate
sperm transport. It also insulates sperm from
the natural acidity inside the vagina.
In
order for pregnancy to be achieved, sperm must
travel through the vagina, cervix and uterus to
the fallopian tube where fertilization of the
egg will take place. For sperm, this is a long
journey and CM provides
a healthy medium in which sperm can swim forward.
Around the time ovulation occurs, cervical mucus
is secreted in greater amounts by glands inside
the cervix. The quality of cervical mucus also
changes during this time of the month: The 'fertile'
cervical mucus present during ovulation will be
thin and stretchy (often compared to egg-white
in texture) and more alkaline than other times
of the month.
In
summary, cervical mucus...
- Facilitates
passage of sperm through the vagina, cervix
and uterus to the fallopian tube.
- Provides
protection and nutritional support for sperm.
- Helps
neutralize acidity in the vagina during a woman's
fertile time.
- Assists
in preventing infections inside the vagina.
- Facilitates
sperm movement so conception can take place.
Cervical
Mucus as a Natural Fertility Sign
The
amount and consistency of cervical mucus changes
during a woman's menstrual cycle. By observing
these changes in cervical mucus throughout the
month, a woman can predict ovulation - her most
fertile time for achieving pregnancy.
As
noted above, one of the purposes of cervical mucus
is to sustain sperm in a healthy medium and facilitate
sperm movement. Therefore, during ovulation, there
is an increase in cervical fluids, as well as
a change in CM texture. During this time, CM becomes
more pliable, "stretchable", and slippery
(resembling raw egg whites) and is therefore a
reliable indicator of fertility.
To
observe CM, simply use clean, dry fingers or toilet
paper to collect and examine your cervical mucus.
During non-fertile times of the month, you will
typically observe a dryness (or scant amount of
cervical mucus). However, as you near ovulation,
the amount of CM will increase and the texture
will change.
Before
Ovulation, a woman typically
experiences very little visible cervical fluids.
Gradually, more mucus will accumulate - but it
will be yellow or cloudy and exhibit a sticky
texture. This is non-fertile cervical mucus (sometimes
referred to as "hostile cervical mucus").
As
you begin to near
your ovulation date, the presence
of cervical mucus will increase markedly due to
higher levels of estrogen in your body. First,
there will be a moistness or slight tackiness
to the mucus, and it should exhibit a white or
cream-colored appearance. However, as you near
your most fertile time, CM will become thinner
and more slippery.
During
Ovulation, the amount of cervical
fluids will increase greatly and the appearance
will resemble raw "egg whites". The
texture of the CM will become increasingly slippery
and 'stretchable', and may appear semitransparent.
This is your most fertile time of the month for
conceiving.
After
Ovulation (luteal phase), the
slippery, thin quality of the CM will lessen and
the texture will once again become sticky and
cloudy. Post-ovulatory dryness may also ensue
as the levels of progesterone rise in your body.
As
a natural fertility sign, monitoring changes in
cervical mucus is a reliable method of ovulation
prediction.
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