Every woman notes the presence of vaginal discharge at one time or another menstrual cycle. A particularly important type is cervical mucus, which resembles a protein raw egg. In different phases of the cycle, these secretions have different characteristics and perform various functions to maintain women's reproductive health.
Cervical mucus is a special fluid produced by the epithelial cells of the cervix. The appearance and properties of cervical mucus change during the cycle under the influence of female sex hormones.
The liquid is viscous transparent discharge, which in some cases have a white or milky tint. Mucus is a product of the cervical glands, which are located on the inner layer cervix.
Cervical mucusCervical mucus has an alkaline pH during ovulation; during the remaining periods of the cycle, the balance shifts towards acidic environment.
The cervical secretion consists mainly of sugars, amino acids, glycoproteins, enzymes, electrolytes and water.
The properties of mucus in the cervical canal are determined by traces on underwear, panty liners or toilet paper. If it is not possible to study the nature of the discharge in this way, it is necessary to insert a finger into the vagina and examine in detail the mucus that remains on it. By appearance discharge can determine the phase of the menstrual cycle and the possibility of conceiving a child.
During the menstrual cycle, discharge varies in appearance and physical properties:
The product of the cervical glands performs several important functions:
Many problems of a woman’s reproductive health are associated with the secretion of the cervical glands:
A few days after last day During menstruation, cervical fluid is acidic, thick in consistency, and white or milky in color. Cervical secretion is concentrated in the area of the cervical canal, preventing the penetration of pathogens and sperm into the uterine cavity. Mucus does not move towards the vaginal opening, so this time is called the “dry period” due to the feeling of dryness in the genitals.
2-3 days before ovulation, cervical fluid changes its structure: it becomes more watery, and the color changes from white to transparent.
When the egg is ready to unite with the sperm, the cervical fluid changes its pH from acidic to alkaline so that the male seed does not die and does not lose its activity. The physical properties of the cervical secretion also change: it becomes very slippery, viscous and easily permeable, and its quantity increases. The discharge looks like egg white. The changes are associated with a sharp increase in the hormone estradiol.
The permeability of mucus is due to an increase in the distance between liquid molecules. In this state, the cervical secretion is like a sieve through which male reproductive cells penetrate absolutely unhindered.
During this period, women notice wet spots on their underwear or sanitary pads - this sign indicates the onset of a fertile period.
After the death of an unfertilized egg within a few hours, the hormonal background changes sharply, and the hormone progesterone comes into force. Under its influence, the cervical secretion changes its properties: the reaction of the medium returns to acidic, it becomes thicker and denser, becomes white, its permeability gradually disappears, and the amount of liquid decreases.
2 days after ovulation, the cervical fluid completely loses its permeability properties and again reliably protects the uterus from the penetration of bacteria and sperm. The cervical secretion retains this state until the onset of menstruation.
If fertilization has occurred, the fluid gradually becomes very dense and forms a mucus plug. white, which comes out only during childbirth.
In the clinic, you can do an analysis that comprehensively shows the condition of the cervical secretion. This test is called the "cervical number".
The result of the analysis is expressed in one number, which evaluates the quality of the cervical fluid. A referral for analysis is usually issued when the causes of infertility in a woman are diagnosed. This analysis also reflects the condition of the ovaries.
The quality of cervical secretion is determined by the following criteria:
The value of each parameter is assessed in points, which are then summed up.
The overall score is a very informative indicator hormonal health women:
Both increased and reduced quantity estrogen in a woman’s blood adversely affects general health and the possibility of getting pregnant.
There is also an analysis that shows the ability of cervical secretion to pass sperm and maintain their activity. Material for analysis is taken during ovulation 9-24 hours after sexual intercourse and examined using a microscope.
Sperm found in cervical mucus are divided into:
The presence in the sample of at least a minimal number of sperm with rapid forward movement signals that the cervical fluid is correctly performing its functions, and infertility (when diagnosed) is not due to this factor.
Cervical mucus is extremely important indicator, which determines the state of a woman’s hormonal health. By the appearance of cervical secretions, you can easily determine both the fertile period and the period safe for sexual intercourse. The condition of the cervical fluid affects the possibility of getting pregnant, so during the period of preparation for conception, its condition must be monitored with special attention.
Natural (biological) contraception is one of the most safe methods contraception for women's health, but it is not effective. Even in case correct application, these methods are not very reliable.
Natural contraception is based on observations of physiological signs, allowing to identify cases when a woman is capable of conceiving (fertile) and when she is not capable of conceiving (infertile). Main goal this method– determine the period when the ability to fertilize is highest.
Methods natural contraception can be used by many couples: in the case when a woman cannot use other methods; if a woman has a regular menstrual cycle; couples who may refuse intimate relationships on certain days of the cycle; when other methods of protection are not available.
Natural contraception has a number of advantages: no side effects; free; both partners participate, which helps strengthen the relationship in the couple; can be used to plan pregnancy; for some couples - more pleasure after abstinence on dangerous days.
Natural contraception has the following disadvantages: pregnancy occurs in almost 50% of cases; does not protect against sexually transmitted infections; difficulties in defining dangerous days, especially for women with irregular cycles; Requires up to three months of instruction and counseling; tension often arises due to uncertainty about the effectiveness of the methods used; well, etc.
Natural contraception includes: sexual abstinence, interrupted coitus, calendar method, temperature method, cervical method, symptothermal method.
If you need a reliable method of contraception, if you have contraindications to the use of hormonal drugs, if you are shocked that the IUD does not protect against conception, but only leads to mini-abortions every month early stages, if you know that the IUD can lead to infertility, and you want to have children in the future, if your husband does not want or cannot use condoms, if you do not want to use hormonal agents During the period of breastfeeding, if vaginal tablets or calendar/temperature methods of counting days are not suitable for you due to too much uncertainty, then this method is just for you.
Few people know about this method of contraception. Cervical method- this is a method for determining the fertile phase by changes in character cervical mucus.
The method is based on the fact that before and during ovulation a woman’s character changes. vaginal discharge. These changes are clearly visible if you know what's going on. But in order to figure it out, you will have to spend a month or two measuring your basal temperature every day and comparing changes in this temperature with changes in discharge. But then you can live happily for many years. Later I will write what to do if you are breastfeeding and the cycle has not yet recovered, but for this you still need to know the theory:
1. An egg after ovulation lives no more than 48 hours, if fertilization has not occurred, therefore, two days after ovulation and until menstruation it is impossible to get pregnant (if a woman becomes pregnant on the 25th day of the cycle, this only means that her ovulation was delayed and did not occur on the 14th, and on the 25th day). The first thing that the natural control method gives is that the woman sees: ovulation is happening or is delayed, or will happen ahead of time.
2. After release, sperm can live up to 5-6 days, but only in the fertile cervical fluid, which is released from a woman shortly before and during ovulation (usually the middle of the cycle). At the beginning and end of the cycle, this fluid is absent and the sperm die within a few hours. The second thing the method gives is that the woman knows exactly what day before ovulation she needs to start using contraception or not have sexual intercourse if she does not want to get pregnant.
So, you only need to protect yourself for a few days in the middle of the cycle, and these days are precisely known.
For the first two months you will have to draw a temperature graph. Basal temperature is measured in the morning, without getting out of bed, preferably at the same time, preferably in the vagina (the main thing is not to fall asleep with a thermometer :-) During menstruation, it is unnecessary to measure the temperature.
In addition to the basal temperature, you will need to record changes in vaginal discharge during the cycle under the graph. Like this:
I decipher:
1. dry - when there is no discharge or there is very little discharge, sperm in such an environment die immediately.
Some women never experience “dry”, immediately after menstruation and after ovulation until the next menstruation - the second type of discharge:
2. sticky discharge - white, in small quantities, not viscous, if you try to stretch it between your fingers, droplets remain on the fingertips in the form of white tubercles. This is infertile discharge, sperm die within a few hours, and there are still several days before ovulation.
The main thing is not to miss when the sticky discharge begins to turn into the following form:
3. watery (or creamy) - transparent like water or whitish like highly diluted milk, completely liquid, and for some more like liquid hand cream. This is already fetal discharge, in which sperm can wait five days before ovulation.
4. “I. b." - during the day or on the day of ovulation, a discharge similar to egg white appears, the discharge becomes thick, viscous (stretched between the fingers), translucent, there is a lot of it. Many women have such discharge for at least 1 day, for some it is 2, 3 days. This time is the most favorable for conception. Some women do not have “protein” at all, but simply the amount watery discharge increases greatly. It also happens that discharge appears only on the cervix and almost does not come out. In this case, you can take them directly from the neck with two fingers with cut nails. (You should also remember that sperm can greatly distort the nature of the discharge; do not confuse the remains of sperm with fetal fluid).
On the day of ovulation (on the last day the largest number discharge) basal temperature has not yet increased, and for many it even decreases by one tenth of a degree - the most low temperature per cycle (the graph shows a tooth pointing down).
As soon as ovulation has occurred, the discharge again becomes sticky or disappears altogether, and the temperature rises by about 0.5 degrees and remains elevated (about 37°C, but not lower than 36.8) until the end of the cycle, that is, about 16 more days. After ovulation, you can become pregnant within 48 hours, although there is no longer any fetal fluid, but there is an egg in the uterus, which sperm can reach faster than dying.
If the body reacts slowly to progesterone, then after ovulation the temperature rises slowly and reaches 37 degrees three to four days after ovulation, BUT during these 4 days there is no decrease in temperature. In this case, the barren period still begins 2 days after ovulation, and not 2 days after ovulation itself. high temperature. If the temperature does not increase, it means ovulation never occurred, then either it will occur later (and the pattern of discharge will be repeated) or this cycle will be non-ovulatory (and this happens).
So, you need to protect yourself or not have sexual contact:
Starting on the day the sticky discharge turns into creamy, and for even greater reliability - the day before the creamy discharge appears (if the cycle is regular, they will appear on a certain day of the cycle, if irregular, then when “dry” turns into “sticky.” If If you don’t have a “dry” state, then - when the amount of sticky discharge begins to increase).
Ending on the third day after ovulation - when the discharge decreases, and the basal temperature of the second day remains at a high level.
To do this, you need to monitor your discharge and measure your temperature during the 5 days of the middle of the cycle: starting from the day of the greatest discharge - egg white or very strong watery (you can start measuring earlier if you doubt the nature of your discharge) and three days after the decrease/cessation of discharge to make sure that ovulation has occurred and the temperature does not drop for three days in a row.
When breastfeeding
Until the cycle has been restored, there is no point in measuring the temperature. After childbirth, when the bloody discharge stops, observe yourself for ~2 weeks. If there is no discharge (“dry”) or it is sticky within 2 weeks, you don’t have to use protection. But sometimes you will observe individual manifestations - the sticky liquid may become watery or “dry” will turn into “sticky”. In the first option, you can consider yourself safe 4 days after the disappearance of the watery liquid, in the second option - 2 days after the disappearance of the sticky liquid. And so on until the first menstruation appears. It may happen that a sticky liquid appears and remains for at least 2 weeks, then consider this a new version of your infertility, up to the appearance of a watery liquid. (And remember that on the day of sexual intercourse, sperm residues can distort the picture - do not mistake them for fetal fluid). In a small number of breastfeeding women, the discharge is consistently “watery” rather than sticky. In this case, it is recommended to protect yourself all the time until the cycle is restored.
Additional (not all women have them) signs of ovulation - a slight cutting pain in the lower abdomen (can only be felt when squatting quickly), small bloody brown discharge.
In case of illness/cold, when the general body temperature rises, the basal temperature also rises, and if this happens in the middle of the cycle, it is difficult to determine whether ovulation has occurred or not. In this case, after recovery, it is recommended to wait for three days to measure your body temperature (should be 36.6), and monitor the basal temperature (around 37 degrees for three days in a row).
There are other signs of ovulation, they are not used in the method described above, but maybe they will be useful to someone if the cycle is very irregular or there are some gynecological problems:
1. There is a test for determining glucose in urine, a paper strip that changes color depending on the amount of glucose. Around the day of ovulation, the amount of glucose in the cervical fluid increases; the strip, if this fluid is dropped onto it, begins to change color two to three days before ovulation and stops changing color two to three days after ovulation. The stripe acquires its deepest color on the day of ovulation;
2. during the period of ovulation, the cervix opens and becomes soft, and immediately after ovulation it closes (in women who have given birth, a small gap remains) and becomes hard.
Note: if you do not have sexual intercourse on “dangerous” days, then the reliability of the method is very high - 98%. If you use condoms on dangerous days, then the reliability of the method will be equal to the reliability of protection using a condom.
Cervical method of contraception (also cervical mucus method, Billings method)- one of the methods of both preventing pregnancy and natural family planning. It got its name from Australian doctor John Billings, who noticed that before ovulation, cervical mucus changes in consistency, so it can be used to determine fertile days in the menstrual cycle.
The cervical method of contraception consists of daily monitoring of the consistency of cervical mucus and recording observations in a specially created table, starting from the last day of menstruation. For this purpose, you need to choose symbols so-called “dry” days, when the inside of the vagina remains dry to the touch, the so-called. "fertile" days when you can observe different types, as well as the so-called “dangerous” days, during which the mucus has a wet and viscous consistency. The last “dangerous” day is the most favorable for conception, the so-called “peak day”.
According to the cervical method of contraception, during a time period unfavorable for conception, cervical mucus has a thick, possibly lumpy consistency; it forms a so-called “plug.” IN in this case The discharge is almost invisible, and the vagina is more “dry” to the touch. Closer to the period of ovulation, the discharge becomes more fluid and also transparent. From now on, it is necessary to abstain from sexual intercourse or use other contraceptive methods (for example, a condom) if the cervical contraceptive method is used to avoid unwanted pregnancy.
During the period that is most favorable for conception, the mucus is quite “stringy” and can be easily stretched between the fingers. This cervical mucus resembles the consistency of raw egg white. After ovulation stops, the discharge becomes thick again and then disappears altogether. Since the structure of cervical mucus is modified several days before, as well as several days after the end of ovulation, the approximate day of ovulation can be calculated. After three days after the “peak day” favorable for conception and before the onset of menstruation, according to the cervical contraception method, it is allowed not to use protection.
The cervical method of contraception has the following disadvantages:
The combination of the cervical method of contraception with the temperature method increases its effectiveness; the resulting combination (the so-called symptothermal method) has greater reliability, almost similar to that of hormonal contraception.
| Contraception methods |
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| Symtothermal method of contraception |
A woman’s body is designed so that the internal genital organs are protected from infection. To do this, mucus is produced in the cervical canal, which has a thick structure. It protects organs not only from bacteria, but also from weak sperm, that is, they are filtered. Its composition is constant, its consistency changes. During ovulation, it liquefies to allow male reproductive cells to pass through. After conception, on the contrary, a process of thickening occurs.
The mucus in the cervical canal is produced by the Bartholin glands located in the vestibule of the vagina. When thickened, it forms a mucus plug in the cervical canal. Consists of glycoproteins, minerals, water, carbohydrates, enzymes. Its structure is porous, with the help of which the most active sperm can penetrate through the fallopian tubes to the egg. The number and volume of pores depends on hormonal levels women. The acid-base state of the secretion is alkaline, preventing the proliferation of bacteria and protecting male reproductive cells from the acidic environment of the vagina.
The color of the discharge is usually transparent. But their color changes depending on the density, and can be white. In order not to reduce the protective barrier, secretion production occurs constantly. When inflammatory reactions begin, this process intensifies.
Do you always have discharge before ovulation?
Many women believe that this is a sign of a disease. Outside of ovulation, cervical fluid is practically not produced, as there is no need for it. As soon as the body is ready for fertilization, production reaches its maximum values. Sperm can move through mucus without being destroyed by the acidic state of the vagina. Without secretions, sperm will not reach fallopian tubes and will die.
Discharges have important functions for a woman’s body:
After ejaculation, seminal fluid mixes with secretions and enters the cervical canal. One of the most active sperm connects with the egg, other cells dissolve in the endometrium.
It is important to know how cervical mucus changes during the cycle. This will make it possible to prevent an unwanted pregnancy or, on the contrary, to conceive.
The consistency of the discharge depends on the phase of the menstrual cycle. To determine this, a woman can monitor her discharge. She needs to understand what normal cervical mucus looks like. In the first days (immediately after the completion of the rejection of the uterine mucosa), the indicator decreases to minimal values, practically does not form, and dryness is felt in the vagina.
After a few days, the secretion thickens and reaches such a degree of viscosity that male reproductive cells cannot pass through the canal. This condition prevents conception. The color of mucous formations is transparent.
By the middle of the cycle, the consistency changes again and liquefaction occurs. The color turns white. The body prepares for the release of the egg.
During ovulation, cervical mucus becomes viscous and can stretch several centimeters. During this period, the maximum volume of mucus is released. This is a favorable time for conception, as sperm can easily pass through the canal. After the completion of the ovulation period, the amount of sex hormones decreases sharply, which helps to reduce discharge. Cervical mucus thickens before menstruation, and sperm cannot move towards the fallopian tubes.
Important! Observing the discharge will allow a woman to know whether there is in her body inflammatory processes. If an infection penetrates, it is retained in a thick secretion. However, when the concentration of bacteria is high, they pass through the plug. Therefore, when heavy discharge and their color changes, you must immediately consult a doctor and begin treatment.
To protect against unplanned pregnancy, it is possible to use a natural contraception method by monitoring the quantity and quality of your discharge. To do this, you need to be careful, write down all the phases of the cycle, calculate the days when it becomes possible to use interrupted sexual intercourse.
The secretion changes when you change your diet or take medications (antibiotics, hormones, corticosteroids). These circumstances are taken into account when using this method of contraception.
How cervical mucus changes in different phases of the menstrual cycle and determining fertility by the nature of the secretion
To determine the consistency of the discharge, you need to take a sample from the vagina with your fingers and spread them apart. If they stretch several centimeters, the mucus has become viscous, the pores in it have expanded to allow male reproductive cells to pass through. If the vagina is dry or the discharge is thin, there is no ovulation.
Important! Protection against unwanted pregnancy by counting infertile days of the cycle is not always safe.
In early pregnancy, cervical mucus thickens. It forms a dense plug that prevents infection from entering the uterus. This protects the fetus from exposure environment and infectious agents.
When the body prepares for childbirth, the plug comes out. This may happen several weeks before or just before delivery.
Liquefaction of the plug means the appearance of pathological reactions. There are several possible reasons:
Both conditions are dangerous for the fetus and require immediate medical attention.
When diagnosing an excessively viscous state of discharge, fertility decreases. This may prevent the desired pregnancy from occurring.
There are several reasons for the thick consistency of mucus:
Important! Changes in the quality and quantity of discharge can lead to infertility. Therefore, before planning a pregnancy, it is necessary to donate cervical fluid for examination.
There are natural causes, in which the discharge stops for a short period of time. For example, the period after ovulation, temporary dehydration of the body due to insufficient water intake. In such conditions specific treatment is not required, secretion will be restored after the cessation of the factor.
The first reason pathological decline secretion is a hormonal imbalance. Secretion is produced under the influence of sex hormones. If their number is insufficient, the indicator is at the same level or does not stand out at all. Cervical mucus is often released before ovulation.
U healthy woman The vaginal microflora is represented by lactobacilli and opportunistic microorganisms. They develop in a slightly acidic environment. If hormonal levels, diet, or acid-base status change, the microflora balance is disrupted. Opportunistic microbes multiply and become pathogenic. This leads to inflammatory reactions. To eliminate the possibility of their penetration into the uterine cavity, the secretion ceases to be produced. This prevents the passage of bacteria. The lumen of the canal narrows.
To timely identify the appearance of a pathogen, a woman must respond to the occurrence painful symptoms. Abdominal pain appears and spreads down to the genitals. Occur in the vagina discomfort, itching, burning. The discharge takes on an unpleasant odor.
Under the influence of prolonged stressful situations There is a hormonal imbalance in the body. The production of adrenaline increases, which reduces the activity of the genital organs. The longer this condition lasts, the more exhausted the body becomes. This may lead to. If a woman cannot cope with this condition on her own, she should consult a psychologist.
When using cosmetics for intimate hygiene or lubricants (lubricants), a cessation of secretion is often observed. It's related to action chemicals to Bartholin's glands. Their effect is suppressed during use cosmetic product. The condition is reversible and can be corrected by discontinuing the drug.
Proper preparation before the test is important to get the right results the first time.
A week before the test, you cannot change your usual lifestyle or diet. You can't accept new ones medicines. It is prohibited to have sexual intercourse several days before taking the sample. On the day of testing, you must wash your external genitalia. The test is taken in the morning. It is necessary to calculate the phase of the menstrual cycle. The study can be completed within one week after the end of menstruation. At this time, the secretion has its original form and is produced maximum quantity sex hormones for the production of cervical fluid.
The doctor takes a smear and sends it to the laboratory immediately, before the cells and substances in it are destroyed.
The following mucus parameters are determined in a smear from the cervical canal:
The cervical number is the value that is added up after evaluating the above parameters. It can be low (0-7), medium (8-12) and high (13-15). The higher the indicator, the greater the possibility of conceiving a child.
If leukocytes are detected in the field of view of the microscope, then an infectious infection has occurred that requires therapy.
Important! Must be absent at the time of testing inflammatory diseases genital organs, infection. Only then will the analysis show the true results.
Another laboratory test is the determination of antisperm antibodies in cervical mucus. These are immunoglobulins that are directed against antigens of male germ cells. They suppress the ability to conceive by destroying sperm and preventing them from passing through the canal.
Before the test, you must abstain from sexual intercourse for three days before the test. They take the test in the middle of the cycle (from 11 to 13 days) before the release of the corpus luteum.
To determine the amount of immunoglobulins of antisperm antibodies, the enzyme immunoassay method is used.
To conceive, it is necessary that the cervical fluid be of the desired consistency: viscous, medium thickness. If the secretion thickens excessively, it is necessary to follow the rules for liquefying it. Only the attending physician determines which drug to use to reduce the viscosity of cervical mucus. Self-medication is unacceptable.
The amount of water you drink per day affects the parameters of all biological fluids in the body. The greater the intake of water into the body, the lower the risk of thickening of the secretion. Sometimes simple dehydration reduces fertility.
To change the composition and viscosity of the secretion, oils containing unsaturated fatty acids(primrose oil). Syrups are used that affect the production of secretory substances (guaifenesin). These substances should be used with caution, they can lead to allergic reactions.
To increase the acidic environment of the vagina to a more neutral value, change the diet. For this purpose they use more plant food, minimize meat, dairy products, coffee. Acid-base properties are improved by products with an antioxidant effect (green tea).
Probiotics will help improve vaginal microflora and reduce the risk of proliferation of pathogenic microorganisms. If there is a genital tract infection, a test is taken to determine the pathogen and the disease is treated. Conception should not occur in an infected body, as this may negatively affect the development of the fetus. During pregnancy many medicines cannot be used.
The cervical method, also known as the Billing method, is a NFP (natural family planning) method. It is used to determine the moment of ovulation as accurately as possible and thus choose the most favorable period for conception. The method received its name in honor of the Australian couple Billing, who discovered that cervical mucus (a substance secreted in the mucous glands of the cervix) changes during the female cycle.
The Billing couple found that the production of mucus in the cervix is directly related to hormonal changes during the cycle. The release of the sex hormones estrogen and progesterone has a direct impact on cervical mucus, which changes throughout the cycle not only in color and quantity, but above all in consistency. For the most accurate determination of the moment of ovulation with the cervical method, daily monitoring of the properties of mucus is necessary for several months. To do this, you should check the quality of mucus in the morning manually or using two layers toilet paper to identify signs of fertility. Features and changes in mucus are recorded in a special chart or history log, on the basis of which the date of ovulation can subsequently be determined.
The cervical method distinguishes 5 phases, within which two types of mucus are mainly distinguished.
Mucus production female body depends on many different factors. Mental stress, bacterial infections However, medications (such as ointments or suppositories) used vaginally can affect the structure and amount of cervical mucus. In addition, its quality is affected by hormonal fluctuations, which complicate an objective analysis of symptoms. The production and quality of mucus can also be influenced by a woman’s diet. In addition, it is important to consider that the above-described signs in different women can be expressed differently. It is for this reason that the cervical method requires constant monitoring of one’s own body. The method is not suitable for everyone also because in some women, the cervical mucus undergoes such minor changes during the cycle that they cannot be detected with the naked eye. In addition to the method of determining the moment of ovulation for conception, the cervical method can also be used as natural method contraception. However, as independent method protection it is considered unreliable. Therefore, for both purposes it is recommended to combine the cervical method
