What Cervical Mucus Looks Like When You're Fertile

Cervical mucus is secreted by glands found in and around the cervix. This mucus is heavily influenced by hormones, which cause it to change consistency over the course of the menstrual cycle.

The job of cervical mucus is twofold. Most of the time, it prevents things such as dirt, germs, or sperm from entering the uterus through the cervix. But leading up to and during ovulation, cervical mucus makes the passage through the cervix easier for sperm. Once an egg is fertilized, the mucus changes again to help protect the developing baby in the uterus.

Research shows that with careful observation, you can learn how to reliably know where you are in your cycle based on what your cervical mucus looks and feels like. Read on to learn how to identify fertile ovulation discharge and what cervical mucus looks like throughout your cycle.

The Connection Between Ovulation and Cervical Mucus

Hormone fluctuations cause changes in the mucus your cervix secretes. It changes in appearance, texture, and amount throughout your cycle based on your estrogen levels. For instance, fertile ovulation discharge often wet and stretchy while infertile discharge may be dry and sticky.

If you're trying to get pregnant, finger testing—observing the feel and consistency of the mucus by rubbing or pulling it between your index finger and thumb—is the best way to check for fertile ovulation discharge.

Don't get discouraged if you can't tell the differences right away. "It may take up to four months to get familiar with your body and be able to detect mucus changes," says Cindy MP Duke, MD, PhD, medical director of the Nevada Fertility Institute in Las Vegas.

Types of Cervical Mucus

There are four main types of cervical mucus during a typical menstrual cycle, ranging from type 1 (least fertile) to type 4 (most fertile). Keep reading to learn more about cervical mucus and how it changes throughout your cycle from infertile discharge to fertile ovulation discharge.

Cervical mucus before and during your period

Cervical Mucus Type 1: Least fertile

It's normal to have some dry days leading up to your period with no detectable cervical mucus. And during your period? Blood flow makes it difficult to check for cervical or ovulation discharge. Skip the finger test, but remember it's still possible to get pregnant even when you're menstruating. Use birth control if you aren't trying to conceive.

Cervical mucus day after your period

Cervical Mucus Type 1: Least fertile

Many people produce the least amount of cervical mucus immediately after their period. In fact, you might feel rather dry and not have any discharge at all. "Your chances of getting pregnant are lowest when you're in the type 1 mucus phase of your cycle," says Dr. Duke.

Cervical mucus week after period

Cervical Mucus Type 2: Low fertility

About a week after the end of your period, you may start to notice thin discharge with a light white color. "Your underwear may feel a little damp as you produce type 2 cervical discharge," says Dr. Duke. Your odds of getting pregnant at this point in your cycle are still pretty low.

Cervical mucus as egg matures

Cervical Mucus Type 3: High fertility

As your egg starts to ripen, your body produces type 3 cervical mucus. "This thicker discharge has a creamy appearance and feels sticky or tacky between your fingers," says obstetrician and gynecologist Sheryl A. Ross, MD, author of She-ology: The Definitive Guide to Women's Health. Period. "This discharge is a sign that you're going into your most fertile period."

Cervical mucus before ovulation

Cervical Mucus Type 4: Most fertile

Just before ovulation occurs, the hormone estrogen leads to an increase in cervical mucus and changes it into a thin, slippery, stretchy, viscous-like substance. When cervical mucus is in the wet or raw egg white consistency stage, ovulation is approaching.

Fertile ovulation discharge helps sperm survive and swim in the vagina, and this stage lasts for several days. This is when to have sex if you want to get pregnant. Your body produces the most cervical mucus as it prepares for ovulation.

"Type 4 discharge is clear and has a stretchy consistency similar to raw egg whites," says Dr. Duke. "Your odds of getting pregnant are two to three times higher now."

Cervical mucus after ovulation

You'll start to produce less cervical mucus after ovulation in the days leading up to the start of your period. This discharge may be cloudy and sticky. After ovulation, the hormone progesterone causes cervical mucus to become sticky and thick. This stops sperm (and any other foreign substance) from getting through to the uterus.

Cervical mucus after implantation

When you conceive, cervical mucus continues to change. Early in pregnancy, the body ramps up production of estrogen and progesterone. As a result, you may notice a heavier flow of discharge after implantation.

Cervical mucus during pregnancy

You might see increased discharge during your third trimester of pregnancy as well. If you notice a slight odor, which is often the result of hormonal changes, you can use a gentle soap and water to clean the vulva (never the vagina). If the discharge is foul-smelling or you're otherwise concerned, see a health care provider.

As your delivery date nears, your cervix will begin to dilate and will eventually release a thick clear, milky, or blood-streaked glob of discharge known as the mucus plug.

Tracking Your Cervical Mucus When Trying To Conceive

If you already track your period, looking out for other fertility signs like basal body temperature (BBT) and cervical mucus is a good idea to boost your chances of conception. Your basal body temperature (which is your temperature at complete rest) increases after you ovulate. This is caused by the increase in the hormone progesterone that follows ovulation.

Your BBT will tell you if and when you ovulated after it happened. But if you want to get pregnant, you ideally need to have sex before ovulation. Cervical mucus changes can alert you that your body is about to ovulate, so you'll know before ovulation, which can help you time sex for pregnancy.

When To See a Doctor

Certain factors can affect cervical mucus, including:

• Breastfeeding
• Hormonal contraceptives
• Sexually transmitted infections
• Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)
• Irregular periods
• Cervical surgery
• Early menopause
• Vaginal infections

"If your discharge has a strong odor, seems overly thick, or is greenish or yellowish in color, see your doctor," says Dr. Ross. "You may have a bacterial, yeast, or sexually transmitted infection that requires treatment."

If you have any questions or concerns about your cervical mucus, how to evaluate which stage it's in, or if you aren't seeing fertile ovulation discharge during your cycle, contact a health care provider.