Cervical mucus method of contraception
Cervical mucus method of contraception makes it possible to define fertile phase according to the changes in mucus.
What is cervical mucus?
Female cervix produces a specific fluid: cervical mucus. Cervical mucus changes in color and consistence under the influence of hormones (estrogen) during menstrual cycle.
How does cervical mucus change during menstrual cycle?
There are a few types of cervical mucus that is produced in different phases of menstrual cycle.
Immediately after menstruation there is almost no mucus or a minor amount of it. This causes vaginal dryness. During these days a woman is unlikely to get pregnant. These days are called dry days.
After some days mucus changes its consistence and becomes like glue.
Later on mucus becomes like a thick cream. Such mucus can be muddy, white or yellowish. During these days vagina is wet and causes spots on underwear. This kind of mucus is suitable for sperm movement. A woman should avoid unprotected sex contacts during these days.
Around the time of ovulation, during ovulation and some time after it mucus tends to be clear and slippery like white of egg. Vagina becomes extremely wet and causes huge wet spots on underclothes. During these days a woman is very likely to get pregnant; therefore she should not have sex contacts or use another method of contraception.
After ovulation amount of estrogen diminishes dramatically and cervical mucus begins to change: it becomes thicker and then dry.
This method of contraception is good not only because it is cheap and does not cause any side effects. While observing her cervix mucus a woman knows how normal mucus looks and can note any deviations that are likely to be caused by an inflammatory process or an infection.
To using this method of contraception observe the following rules:
Examine your mucus three times a day during three days after menstruation. Wash your hands with soap, insert your finger into the vagina and touch your cervixNote whether the mucus is fluid, sticky or dry
Check whether the mucus is slippery (stretch the secretion between your thumb and index finger)
Check your underwear (whether there are spots)
Try not to confuse cervical mucus with other liquids: sperm, lubricants, or spermicids, if you use them.
Every day write down the results of your examination in detail
Bear in mind the following:
A woman is considered fertile (able to get pregnant) when there is any kind of mucus before menstruation.
Avoid sex contacts or use another method of contraception as soon as you noted mucus and wet spots
Ovulation occurs on the last wet day. The next day mucus becomes thicker and drier. Avoid unprotected sex contacts during three days and nights after the last wet day
Beginning with the fourth dry day and up to menstruation you can have unprotected sex contacts
Avoid sex during fertile days or use some additional methods of contraception!