What Is Cervical Mucus?
A woman's cervix has tiny glands that produce mucus every day. Its purpose is to help the sperm reach the ovum. The cervical mucus after implantation also protects the uterus from bacterial infections. It manifests as a slight discharge, which is a regular occurrence and perfectly normal. The mucus is quite natural and also helps with fertilization.
Did You Know?
Your sense of smell is stronger during pregnancy. Ninety per cent of your ability to taste is actually connected with sense of smell. And that's why pregnant women exhibit such peculiar cravings.
The Follicular Cycle
During the follicular cycle, a hormone is released that stimulates the ovaries and prepares the ovum to shed an egg. A woman is unable to achieve pregnancy during this phase. Releasing the egg leads to menstruation, and this occurs at the beginning of this phase. This is followed by the "dry vagina" period, when there is almost no discharge.
The Ovulatory Cycle
The amount of cervical mucus after implantation starts to proliferate when estrogen production increases. In the beginning of this cycle, the mucus is not abundant, but it is quite thick and a little sticky. However, the amount and consistency of the mucus changes quite drastically during this phase. For example, before and during ovulation, there is an abundance of mucus, which becomes more fluid and can be easily stretched between fingers. This is a best time for a woman to get pregnant.
The Luteal Cycle
At the beginning of this cycle, the body begins to produce increased levels of lutein and progesterone. The endometrium actively secretes and prepares itself to receive a fertilized egg. However, if a woman does not become pregnant during this cycle, the lutein levels and progesterone levels decrease, and the woman's discharge also decreases dramatically.
There are five stages of mucus during a woman's menstrual cycle:
- Dry days, when there is little to no discharge.
- Sticky, when the mucus is thicker, but not conducive to sperm.
- Cream-like, when the chances of fertilization increase.
- Liquid, when the fluid is excessive and fertilization is optimal.
- Egg-white, when the discharge is sticky and stretches.
Can Mucus Be Used As A Form of Birth Control?
This method is definitely not recommended by doctors. However, it can be useful in determining when it is absolutely not safe to have unprotected sex, as well as determine when there is a high probability that a fertile woman can become pregnant.
But relying on vaginal discharge to predict the chances of pregnancy is hit and miss at best. For example, one study showed that 15 out 100 women who relied on testing the vaginal mucus to determine when it was safe to have unprotected sex actually became pregnant. In fact, this method may only really be useful for women who want to increase their chances of becoming pregnant.
What Happens to Cervical Mucus During Pregnancy?
During the first trimester, an increase in hormonal activity can lead to an abundant fluid discharge. However, it is more likely that the discharge will be minimal and what little there is usually quite thick. Later in the pregnancy, in most cases, the discharge will appear to be transparent or white and it will have a normal consistency.
What Does Bloody Discharge during Pregnancy Mean?
A brown discharge during pregnancy is most often a woman's regular discharge, along with some old blood. It is not unusual for blood in your uterus to take a little longer to leave your body. And because the blood is older, it usually turns brown.
That means you can end up with either brown spotting or a brownish-colored discharge. During pregnancy, a brown discharge does not necessarily mean something is wrong with you or the baby. In fact, it is usually quite harmless. The most common cause for blood in your discharge is irritation. Sometimes sex, or even a pelvic exam, can exacerbate your cervix, which will result in a bit of brown discharge or even light spotting.
Did You Know?
- 4% of women in the US are pregnant right now!
- 49% of pregnancies are unintentional.
- The longest pregnancy in humans, on record, is 375 days (12½ months).
- 30% of pregnant women crave NON-food items!
- A woman can get pregnant while she is already pregnant.
- Shorter women have shorter pregnancies!
Thinking of getting pregnant? Your age plays a key role.
| 20-24 | 25-29 | 30-34 | 35-39 | 40-44 | 45-49 | 50+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 86% | 100% | |||||
| 78% | ||||||
| 63% | 69% | |||||
| 52% | ||||||
| 36% | ||||||
| 8% | 15% | 32% | 5% | |||
| 3% | 5% | 0% |
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