Knowra Cervical mucus Cervical mucus Cervical mucus is fluid produced by glands in the cervix. Its volume and consistency change across the menstrual cycle under the influence of reproductive hormones.
Estrogen : A group of steroid hormones involved in reproductive development and regulation of the menstrual cycle. Rising estrogen before ovulation makes cervical mucus more abundant, watery, and permissive to sperm.
Fertility awareness : Methods of tracking menstrual-cycle signs to estimate fertile and infertile days. Cervical mucus observations are one sign used in these methods.
Cervix : The lower, narrow portion of the uterus that opens into the vagina. Cervical mucus is made within this organ and passes through its canal.
Vaginal discharge : Fluid leaving the vagina, comprising normal secretions or discharge associated with infection or other conditions. It may be mistaken for cervical mucus, but can have sources beyond the cervix.
Progesterone : A steroid hormone that helps regulate the menstrual cycle and supports pregnancy. After ovulation, progesterone generally makes cervical mucus thicker and less permeable.
Billings ovulation method : A fertility-awareness method that uses changes in vulvar mucus sensation and appearance to identify fertility. It interprets mucus patterns as the primary sign of changing fertility.
Mucus : A slippery secretion made by mucous membranes, composed chiefly of water, mucins, salts, and other molecules. Cervical mucus is a reproductive-tract example of this secretion.
Semen : Fluid ejaculated from the male reproductive tract that carries sperm and secretions from accessory glands. After intercourse, semen can mix with vaginal fluid and complicate mucus observations.
Menstrual cycle : The recurring hormonal and reproductive changes that prepare the body for possible pregnancy. Its phases drive the cyclical changes in cervical mucus.
Creighton Model : A standardized fertility-awareness system that records vulvar mucus observations using defined categories. Its charting system provides a structured way to track mucus patterns.
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