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Not having cervical mucus can be caused by hormonal imbalances, medication, age, or natural variation. Women should check for ovulation with over-the-counter kits and consult a doctor if ovulation is not detected. Fertile cervical mucus aids in pregnancy by providing nutrition and protection to sperm. It can be checked by inserting a finger into the vagina.
Not having cervical mucus can have a variety of causes, most of which can be easily treated at home, but some may require a trip to the doctor. It is common for women to have dry cervical mucus after a menstrual period. A hormonal imbalance or other factor causing a lack of ovulation is one cause of dry cervical mucus. Some medications could cause it, and age can also be a factor. Some women naturally produce less cervical mucus.
Women who have no cervical mucus at any point during their menstrual cycle should first determine if they are ovulating. The easiest way to do this is with over-the-counter ovulation prediction kits. They work like pregnancy tests, but should be used at the same times each day. Instructions may vary by test. These tests detect the shift in hormones that occurs 24 to 48 hours before ovulation.
Women who don’t test positive for an ovulation predictor kit for one cycle should try using them every day during another cycle, because ovulation can occur at any time. If ovulation is still not detected, consult a doctor. As long as ovulation is in progress, it is still possible to get pregnant.
Women who have confirmed ovulation but still have cervical mucus problems should look into any medications they are taking. Antihistamines, cold and sinus medications, some antidepressants, and anti-seizure drugs might cause a lack of cervical mucus. Some medications should not be discontinued without first consulting a doctor.
After all other causes have been ruled out, having no cervical mucus may be normal for some women. Women who are 35 or older are more likely to have scanty cervical mucus. It is still possible to get pregnant without cervical mucus, but increasing cervical mucus is helpful.
Fertile cervical mucus is slippery and stretchy and resembles raw egg whites. It aids in pregnancy by providing nutrition to sperm cells, helping to transport them through the uterus into the fallopian tubes, and may help clear out abnormal sperm to prevent them from reaching the egg. It also protects sperm from the usually acidic conditions of the vagina and uterus.
Cervical mucus can be checked by inserting a finger into the vagina. There will be a substance on the finger that will be watery and creamy and white or clear and stretchy. Irrigation may wash away cervical mucus, making it appear as though there is none. It is best to avoid douches, even for a woman who is not trying to get pregnant. If a woman experiences vaginal odor, she may have an infection.