It’s not the most glamorous of topics, but cervical mucus is vital to your sexual wellness and wellbeing. Many conception experts even believe that it is the single most important factor that is involved in successful conception. If you want to conceive then it is really important that you know what cervical mucus is, what it looks like and what that tells you.
If you’re wondering what on earth cervical mucus is, it is the jelly-like substance that sits high up in your cervix. It is secreted by little glands in the cervix known as cervical crypts. This fluid acts as a gatekeeper of the cervix, and prevents bacteria from reaching the fallopian tubes and uterus if it enters via the vagina.
When it is in receptive mode, the mucus also helps to transport sperm through the cervix to where the egg is waiting to be fertilised. Without the cervical mucus, it is likely that the acids in the vagina would neutralise the sperm or prevent them from swimming up through the birth canal.
If you get to know your body, your cervical mucus can actually help you tell when the best time is to conceive. Looking out for changes in your cervical mucus could be very worthwhile if you are trying to have a baby.
Infertile mucus is the thick, dry mucus that many women experience at the end of their period. Sperm would find it impossible to pass through this and reach the fallopian tubes. After this, the mucus becomes a little thinner, and this is potentially penetrable by the sperm. Fertile mucus occurs after this, around the middle of the cycle. This mucus is wet and slippery and is likely to be clear or have a colour to it. Some women also describe it as abundant and watery. The most fertile mucus has a sort of ‘egg white’ consistency, being quite thin and stringy, and clear.