What is it?
Some women can tell when they are fertile or unfertile by observing the changes in their cervical mucous. The cervix is at the bottom part of the uterus, where it protrudes into the back of the vagina.
A woman's cervix produces mucous, or discharge, of varying types and amounts throughout her monthly cycle. At times the cervix may produce a lot of discharge, and almost none at other times. Sometimes the mucous will be cloudy while at other times it may be slippery and clear.
How to use
It can be very difficult to interpret changes in your cervical mucous. Before relying on this method, it is a good idea to take a class at a local family planning clinic that can teach you how to use this method accurately. It is also a good idea to abstain from unprotected intercourse, or other things that may alter your cervical secretions, for the first month that you use this method so that you can accurately chart changes in your secretions.
You can sample and study your cervical mucous in many ways. You can either look at it by wiping before urination, or observing the discharge on your underwear, or best yet, by inserting a clean finger into the vagina and touching your cervix. You should try stretching the mucous secretions between your thumb and index finger to see how far they stretch.
It is a good idea to keep track of changes in the consistency of your cervical mucous in a diary or on a special chart. You should take note of color, quantity, and slipperiness of the mucous.
When are you fertile?
Around the time of ovulation, the cervical mucous tends to be clearer and more slippery than at other times of the month. This is when a woman is most fertile. During this time the secretions should be able to stretch several inches between your thumb and forefinger. Unprotected intercourse should be avoided from the first day that you notice this stretchy discharge until four days after the "peak" in stretchy secretions.
After ovulation a woman may experience "dry days." These are days when little or no discharge is produced. Three to four days after the dry days begin it is safe to have intercourse again.
Advantages
- It's free!
- You can use this if other methods of birth control are not options because of medical or religious reasons.
- Can be used with other contraceptives, such as condoms.
- Does not involve using hormones or chemicals.
- You learn more about your body.
Disadvantages
- It does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases.
- Is not easy to use. It may be hard for some women to interpret changes in their cervical mucous.
- It is not as reliable as other methods of birth control.
- This is not a good method to use for women that produce little, or no, discharge.
- Many things can interfere with making accurate observations of your cervical secretions. Some examples are douches, spermicides, lubricants, and semen.
- It is not a good method to use if you are uncomfortable touching your vaginal secretions.
Cost
Other than the cost of taking classes to learn how to use this method, it is free!
Effectiveness
This method has an average failure rate of about 20%. It is strongly recommended that this method be combined with other forms of birth control.
© - Reproduced with permission of SexInfo, University of California at Santa Barbara, 2007.