Cervical mucous - Role of Cervical mucous in Intercourse and Pregnancy

Cervical mucous plays an important role in enabling pregnancy to take place by allowing intercourse to occur at a time distant from fertilization. A woman's cervical mucous is different throughout her menstrual cycle. During most of the cycle it forms a thick plug that prevents sperm from entering the uterus. Preceding the time of ovulation the mucous increases in volume, becomes thinner and more stretchy.

One of the purposes of cervical mucus - during the fertile period - is to sustain sperm in a healthy medium, to allow sperm to move freely through the cervix. Logically, there will be an increase in cervical mucus at ovulation, as well as a change in texture - the mucus becoming more pliable, "stretchable", and slippery.

There are four basic changes in cervical mucous each month. It may take several cycles for a woman to become familiar with these differences. To determine the pattern of changes, it is best to record them noting the color, consistency, amount, and slipperiness.

Cause of Cervical mucous

Usually, problems with a woman's cervical mucous can be linked to hormonal imbalances. Changes in the volume and texture of the mucous are due to an increase in the hormone estrogen, which rises around the time of ovulation (when eggs are released). Normal cervical mucous around the time of ovulation is thin and watery. When there is an estrogen imbalance the quantity and the quality of the muscous can be affected (could be thicker or less copious).

Treatment of Cervical mucous

Several options exist if cervical mucous is a contributing factor to infertility. An assisted reproductive procedure called intrauterine insemination (IUI), uses washed sperm which is then injected into the uterus with a flexible catheter, bypassing the cervix and overcoming the mucous problems.