Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsIdentifying ItWith Periods and OvulationIn Pregnancy and ImplantationOther Changes
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Identifying It
With Periods and Ovulation
In Pregnancy and Implantation
Other Changes
Cervical mucus is a natural vaginal fluid that thecervix(structure at the bottom of the uterus) produces. It plays a role in the female reproductive process. The texture and color of cervical mucus varies throughout themenstrual cycle.
Thin, slippery cervical mucus that resembles a raw egg white is one sign ofovulationduring the most fertile time of the month. Some people chart this information when trying to conceive. Others track this to try to avoid pregnancy.
This article reviews cervical mucus characteristics, how the menstrual cycle, ovulation, and pregnancy affect these characteristics, and other factors that cause changes.
Female Anatomy and Function
Identifying Cervical Mucus
The cervix makes cervical mucus, but the fluid leaves the body as vaginal discharge. This is in addition to the discharge the vaginal glands produce to clean and lubricate thevagina.
There are several ways you can check the color and texture of cervical mucus:
Color
Cervical mucus should be clear, white, or pale yellow. Depending on the menstrual cycle phase, it can be transparent (see-through) or opaque (creamy or cloudy).
Texture
A good way to check the texture is to rub and pull the cervical mucus between your thumb and forefinger. The texture changes throughout the menstrual cycle. It may be:
Cervical Mucus, Your Period, and Ovulation
Hormone fluctuations cause the color and texture of cervical mucus to change throughout the menstrual cycle. The texture plays a role infertility (the chance of conceiving).
During menstruation (period bleeding), cervical mucus is minimal. After menstruation, it’s a little sticky or dry. This decreases the chance of sperm surviving or moving. As the menstrual cycle progresses, cervical mucus amounts increase, and the texture becomescreamy or milky white.
During ovulation (when the ovaries release an egg), cervical mucus turns clear and gets stretchy and slippery, resembling a raw egg white. Ovulation occurs about halfway through the menstrual cycle. Some people call this fertile mucus because it helps identify ovulation and makes it easier for sperm to swim toward the egg to fertilize it.After ovulation, cervical mucus becomes thicker, less stretchy, and cloudy white or light yellow.
What Are the Symptoms of Ovulation?Symptoms of ovulation include:Clear and slippery cervical mucusIncreased libido (sex drive)Breast tendernessMood swingsBloating, swelling, water retentionMild pelvic (between the hips) pain (Mittelschmerz)Headaches, nausea, or malaise (feeling unwell)Increasedbasal body temperature (BBT)(rises about 0.5 to 1 degree F)
What Are the Symptoms of Ovulation?
Symptoms of ovulation include:Clear and slippery cervical mucusIncreased libido (sex drive)Breast tendernessMood swingsBloating, swelling, water retentionMild pelvic (between the hips) pain (Mittelschmerz)Headaches, nausea, or malaise (feeling unwell)Increasedbasal body temperature (BBT)(rises about 0.5 to 1 degree F)
Symptoms of ovulation include:
The average life span of the egg is 12 to 24 hours. Sperm can survive in the female reproductive system for up to five days. This means pregnancy chances are highest when a female has unprotected sex within five days before or one day after ovulation. Having sex daily or every other day during this period is sufficient if you’re trying tobecome pregnant.
Cervical Mucus as a LubricantIn addition to the role cervical mucus plays in fertility and sperm mobility, it also acts as a lubricant to make sexual intercourse more comfortable. There is also another healthy type ofvaginal fluidthe vaginal glands produce that helps with lubrication.
Cervical Mucus as a Lubricant
In addition to the role cervical mucus plays in fertility and sperm mobility, it also acts as a lubricant to make sexual intercourse more comfortable. There is also another healthy type ofvaginal fluidthe vaginal glands produce that helps with lubrication.
How to Get Pregnant Fast
Cervical Mucus, Pregnancy, and Implantation
If sperm fertilizes the egg,conceptionoccurs. The next step is implantation, when the fertilized egg attaches to the thickened uterine lining. Implantation typically occurs six to 12 days after fertilization. Some people noticemild crampingor alight pink or red vaginal dischargeduring this time.
During the initial stages of pregnancy, cervical mucus typically gets thicker, stickier, and less abundant. It may be clear initially but gets whiter or yellower as pregnancy progresses. The thickermucus creates a plugthat seals the cervix to protect the developing fetus from potential infection.
During late pregnancy, cervical mucus may be a little pink. You may notice thecervical plug exit the vaginaas the body prepares for labor. This can happen hours, days, or weeks before labor begins. Some call this a mucus show or losing the plug. However, losing the mucus plug alone does not necessarily mean that labor will occur immediately.
Week-to-Week Pregnancy Timeline
What Else Changes Cervical Mucus?
Outside of the typical variation of cervical mucus throughout the month, the following can also affect this fluid’s appearance, color, and texture.
The Cervix in Early Pregnancy
Heavy Cervical MucusAn increase in cervical mucus may occur during ovulation when you are most fertile. This can also happen in early pregnancy or with other hormonal changes. If it is watery with a foul odor or odd color, this could indicate an infection.
Heavy Cervical Mucus
An increase in cervical mucus may occur during ovulation when you are most fertile. This can also happen in early pregnancy or with other hormonal changes. If it is watery with a foul odor or odd color, this could indicate an infection.
When to Check With a Healthcare Provider
While some variation in cervical mucus is a normal part of the menstrual cycle, the following are situations in which you should consider checking in with a healthcare provider:
Abnormal Vaginal Discharge SymptomsVaginal discharge and cervical mucus should be clear, white, or pale yellow. It may indicate a bacterial infection if it’s agray or green color or has a foul odor. A chunky, white texture can indicate a yeast infection.
Abnormal Vaginal Discharge Symptoms
Vaginal discharge and cervical mucus should be clear, white, or pale yellow. It may indicate a bacterial infection if it’s agray or green color or has a foul odor. A chunky, white texture can indicate a yeast infection.
What Does Normal Vaginal Discharge Look Like?
Summary
Cervical mucus is a type of vaginal discharge that the cervix produces. It is white or light yellow and milky or dry throughout most menstrual cycles. But it’s clear and slippery around ovulation when you are most fertile. When pregnancy occurs, the mucus gets thicker and a little sticky. Gray, yellow, watery, or foul-smelling vaginal discharge is not a normal variation and warrants a consultation with a healthcare provider.
6 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Oždian T, Vodička J, Dostál J, et al.Proteome mapping of cervical mucus and its potential as a source of biomarkers in female tract disorders.International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2023;24(2):1038. doi:10.3390/ijms24021038Sim M, Logan S, Goh L.Vaginal discharge: evaluation and management in primary care.Singapore Med J. 2020:297-301. doi:10.11622/smedj.2020088Su HW, Yi YC, Wei TY, Chang TC, Cheng CM.Detection of ovulation, a review of currently available methods.Bioeng Transl Med. 2017;2(3):238-246. doi:10.1002/btm2.10058American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG).Trying to get pregnant? Here’s when to have sex.Lacroix G, Gouyer V, Gottrand F, Desseyn J-L.The cervicovaginal mucus barrier.International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2020;21(21):8266. doi:10.3390/ijms21218266Najmabadi S, Schliep KC, Simonsen SE, Porucznik CA, Egger MJ, Stanford JB.Cervical mucus patterns and the fertile window in women without known subfertility: a pooled analysis of three cohorts.Human Reproduction. 2021;36(7):1784-1795. doi:10.1093/humrep/deab049
6 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Oždian T, Vodička J, Dostál J, et al.Proteome mapping of cervical mucus and its potential as a source of biomarkers in female tract disorders.International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2023;24(2):1038. doi:10.3390/ijms24021038Sim M, Logan S, Goh L.Vaginal discharge: evaluation and management in primary care.Singapore Med J. 2020:297-301. doi:10.11622/smedj.2020088Su HW, Yi YC, Wei TY, Chang TC, Cheng CM.Detection of ovulation, a review of currently available methods.Bioeng Transl Med. 2017;2(3):238-246. doi:10.1002/btm2.10058American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG).Trying to get pregnant? Here’s when to have sex.Lacroix G, Gouyer V, Gottrand F, Desseyn J-L.The cervicovaginal mucus barrier.International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2020;21(21):8266. doi:10.3390/ijms21218266Najmabadi S, Schliep KC, Simonsen SE, Porucznik CA, Egger MJ, Stanford JB.Cervical mucus patterns and the fertile window in women without known subfertility: a pooled analysis of three cohorts.Human Reproduction. 2021;36(7):1784-1795. doi:10.1093/humrep/deab049
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Oždian T, Vodička J, Dostál J, et al.Proteome mapping of cervical mucus and its potential as a source of biomarkers in female tract disorders.International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2023;24(2):1038. doi:10.3390/ijms24021038Sim M, Logan S, Goh L.Vaginal discharge: evaluation and management in primary care.Singapore Med J. 2020:297-301. doi:10.11622/smedj.2020088Su HW, Yi YC, Wei TY, Chang TC, Cheng CM.Detection of ovulation, a review of currently available methods.Bioeng Transl Med. 2017;2(3):238-246. doi:10.1002/btm2.10058American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG).Trying to get pregnant? Here’s when to have sex.Lacroix G, Gouyer V, Gottrand F, Desseyn J-L.The cervicovaginal mucus barrier.International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2020;21(21):8266. doi:10.3390/ijms21218266Najmabadi S, Schliep KC, Simonsen SE, Porucznik CA, Egger MJ, Stanford JB.Cervical mucus patterns and the fertile window in women without known subfertility: a pooled analysis of three cohorts.Human Reproduction. 2021;36(7):1784-1795. doi:10.1093/humrep/deab049
Oždian T, Vodička J, Dostál J, et al.Proteome mapping of cervical mucus and its potential as a source of biomarkers in female tract disorders.International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2023;24(2):1038. doi:10.3390/ijms24021038
Sim M, Logan S, Goh L.Vaginal discharge: evaluation and management in primary care.Singapore Med J. 2020:297-301. doi:10.11622/smedj.2020088
Su HW, Yi YC, Wei TY, Chang TC, Cheng CM.Detection of ovulation, a review of currently available methods.Bioeng Transl Med. 2017;2(3):238-246. doi:10.1002/btm2.10058
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG).Trying to get pregnant? Here’s when to have sex.
Lacroix G, Gouyer V, Gottrand F, Desseyn J-L.The cervicovaginal mucus barrier.International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2020;21(21):8266. doi:10.3390/ijms21218266
Najmabadi S, Schliep KC, Simonsen SE, Porucznik CA, Egger MJ, Stanford JB.Cervical mucus patterns and the fertile window in women without known subfertility: a pooled analysis of three cohorts.Human Reproduction. 2021;36(7):1784-1795. doi:10.1093/humrep/deab049
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