Cervical mucus is a liquid secretion produced by the cervix that prevents bacteria from the woman's intimate region from entering the uterus, keeping it healthy. This secretion can be expelled through the vagina, appearing in underwear as a type of transparent, white or slightly yellowish discharge, with no odor, being a natural reaction of the body.
In addition, cervical mucus also aims to help sperm reach the uterus during a woman's fertile period, so it gets thicker and more elastic as ovulation approaches, as shown in the photo, as this is the period fertile woman, with hormonal changes and in the uterus to facilitate pregnancy.
How to assess cervical mucus
As the thickening of the cervical mucus indicates that the woman is ovulating, the analysis of the characteristics of this mucus is widely used to indicate that the woman is in the fertile period. This analysis is called the cervical mucus method, or the Billings method.
To assess cervical mucus the woman must be naked and insert her index finger into the vagina to observe the secretion of that region. When removing the finger, it should be noted whether the mucus is present in sufficient quantity and whether it is elastic or not. The ideal to get pregnant is to have a good amount of mucus and that it is elastic.
Thus, in the cervical mucus method, the woman must daily observe the presence or absence of mucus, as well as its characteristics. Normally, the ovulation period happens about 4 days after the thick, sticky, whitish-colored cervical mucus becomes a transparent and elastic liquid.
Some women who have difficulty conceiving may have very thick cervical mucus throughout the cycle, which prevents the movement of sperm and, therefore, should seek a gynecologist to begin appropriate treatment.
Despite the advantages of being an inexpensive method, easy to do and that is not harmful to health, it has many disadvantages but should not be used as a contraceptive method to prevent pregnancy because the mucus can undergo small variations throughout the cycle, making it difficult your exact assessment. Check out other options for contraceptive methods that may be safer and more effective.
How cervical mucus looks in pregnancy
Cervical mucus in pregnancy becomes thicker and whitish due to normal hormonal changes during this period. Thus, it starts to create a 'stopper' that prevents bacteria from developing inside the uterus and creating complications during pregnancy. Check out other changes that occur in the pregnant woman's body, to adapt to the arrival of the baby.
