Cervical mucus methods are commonly used in natural family planning. The spelling of "cervical mucus" is represented by the IPA transcription [ˈsɜrvɪkəl ˈmjuːkəs]. The first word is pronounced with stress on the first syllable, followed by the schwa sound in the second syllable. The second word is pronounced with stress on the second syllable, followed by the "oo" sound in the second syllable. This method involves tracking changes in the consistency and appearance of cervical mucus to determine fertile and infertile days in a menstrual cycle.
Cervical mucus methods refer to a set of fertility awareness-based methods used by individuals to track the changes in their cervical mucus throughout their menstrual cycle as a means of determining their fertile and non-fertile periods. Also known as the Billings Ovulation Method or the Creighton Model, this approach relies on observing and analyzing the consistency, texture, and color of cervical mucus in order to make informed decisions about contraception or achieving pregnancy.
The method operates on the premise that the characteristics of cervical mucus change throughout the menstrual cycle due to hormonal fluctuations. In the days leading up to ovulation, the mucus becomes clear, slippery, stretchy, and elastic, resembling the consistency of raw egg whites. This indicates the presence of fertile cervical mucus, which allows sperm to travel through the reproductive tract more easily and increases the chances of fertilization. On the other hand, during non-fertile phases, the mucus is usually cloudy, tacky, or absent altogether, creating a barrier and making it more difficult for sperm to reach the egg.
Cervical mucus methods require individuals to monitor and record the observations of their cervical mucus daily, using their fingers or toilet paper to check for any changes. By doing so, they can identify the fertile period and plan or abstain from intercourse accordingly. While this method does not provide physical barriers or hormones for contraception, it can serve as an effective tool when used correctly and consistently.