Changes in cervical mucus during the menstrual cycle can indicate the best time to have intercourse for couples trying to conceive. There are three main stages of cervical mucus, with the most fertile stage occurring just before and during ovulation.
Couples trying to conceive should be interested in the stages of cervical mucus during the menstrual cycle, as changes may indicate the best time to have intercourse. In fact, watching for changes in your cervical mucus is a no-cost method of pinpointing ovulation, and it’s especially accurate when combined with other methods. There are three main stages of cervical mucus during a normal cycle, starting with thin, sticky mucus near your period. The amount changes as ovulation approaches and there is an increase in mucus. During ovulation, it is more abundant and rather thin, eventually returning to the dry and negligible amount that appears as menstruation approaches.
Menstruation is generally considered the start of the cycle, at which point most women should notice very little mucus. Instead, they should observe an average of five days of bleeding as their uterine lining is shed. Any cervical mucus noticed soon after the bleeding has stopped is likely thin and sticky, meaning it is sterile. This is because it is not conducive to sperm easily passing through it to reach the egg, making it nearly impossible for most women to conceive at this point in the cycle.
A few days after menstruation ends, most fertile women should notice a slight increase in mucus. This is a stage where the texture seems to get a little thinner, which is good news for those trying to conceive. Many women describe their mucus at this point as creamy, white, and lotion-like, and it can sometimes be copious enough to be observed in their underwear. Couples trying to conceive may begin having intercourse at this point as sperm can live up to five days in a hospitable environment and creamy mucus could indicate ovulation is less than five days away for some women. It should be noted that initiating intercourse up to a week before ovulation is generally not recommended for males with low sperm counts, but should be fine for most couples who do not suffer from the condition.
One of the most desirable stages of cervical mucus occurs just before and during ovulation. By this time, mucus should be profuse, often appearing in the underwear. It is usually described as slippery, thin and clear, much like raw egg whites. Some women make sure this is fertile fluid by stretching it between the thumb and forefinger, as fertile mucus should be able to stretch easily without breaking apart, unlike sticky or creamy mucus. This type should be present just before, during and after ovulation, which means it can be observed for almost a week. It should begin to reduce after this point, and if pregnancy is not achieved, the cervical mucus stages should start again after menstruation has occurred.
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