Let’s be honest. This topic maybe a little bit icky, but at the same time (since nobody ever talks about it!) we’re all secretly intrigued by the topic. You may even have some secret questions that are too uncomfortable to ask. What IS fertility mucus? What role does it play in fertility?

As part of our Acupuncture treatments, we are always looking at the bigger picture and ALL of the signs that your body is giving you.

See more on how we work with Fertility at Embrace.

In this blog we cover all of the good stuff about fertility mucus, including:

• Fertility Mucus: Nature’s Great Design!

• The 4 types of Fertility Mucus

• Do Pharmaceuticals Affect Fertility Mucus?

• Can Chinese Medicine Help?

Fertility Mucus: Nature’s Great Design

There’s nothing random about nature’s design for conception, and mucus plays a vital role in the process. It has the incredibly important job of facilitating the sperm’s journey up the cervix in the days before ovulation, so they’re all there and waiting when the egg is released.

Did you know that:

• Fertile mucus is a very useful sign for timing intercourse

• Fertile mucus acts as a bouncer, filtering out the poor quality sperm

• Sperm is ready to fertilise an egg up to FIVE WHOLE DAYS before you ovulate (if its really good sperm!).

• The egg can only be fertilised between 6 and 12 hours after ovulating, so the little guys need to be ready and waiting.

The 4 Types of Fertility Mucus

Type G mucus (the Guard) is produced low down in the cervix, close to the vagina. It’s infertile mucus and is often around just before or after you get your period. It’s thick and pasty looking and blocks the opening to the cervix.

Type L mucus (the Liquidy one) is produced slightly higher up in the cervix. It’s more of a liquid and you’d notice more wetness compared with type G. L mucus starts to filter out abnormal sperm and is the support team for type S.

Type S mucus (the Stretchy, Slippery, Stringy one) is produced even higher up in the cervix. You’ll know you’re looking at Type S mucus because it’ll look like stretchy egg white. It’s also the most noticeable mucus. Sperm can survive or up to 5 days in this mucus and its consistency helps the sperm on their journey to the fallopian tube. If you’re noticing type S mucus, you’re probably only a couple of days away from ovulation and it’s the ideal time to try and conceive.

Type P mucus (the final Pusher) is more slippery and liquidy than S mucus, and it’s produced on the day before and day of ovulation. You might not notice this one because it’s excreted from the cells at the highest point of the cervix. It’s super-rich in potassium and it’s able to supercharge the sperm, giving it a final push to get it where it needs to be right on time!

Do certain medications affect my Fertile Mucus?

Well, the short answer is yes.

Some medications are essential for short term use, but it’s a great idea to check in with your doctor or pharmacist for an alternative if you’re needing them long term and wanting to maximise your fertility.

Antihistamines dry up mucus membranes all over the body, so if you regularly take these, you might find you don’t notice your cervical mucus.

Antibiotics can kill off good bacteria at the same time as it’s killing the bad bacteria. This can cause an overgrowth of candida - which can cause thrush. If you have vaginal thrush it will appear thick, like cottage cheese, and it’ll often be smelly and itchy.

If you are trying to conceive, remember to keep notes about your cervical mucus on your temperature chart and tune into the physiological signs and hints your body’s giving you.

Can Chinese Medicine help Fertile Mucus?

At the core of Traditional Chinese Medicine is the concept of Yin and Yang. Yin is cooling, moistening and nourishing, while Yang is warming and drying.

In Chinese medicine, we view Oestrogen as a Yin hormone and Progesterone as a Yang hormone.

As Oestrogen levels in the menstrual cycle rise, so does the progression of cervical mucus. Therefore, cervical mucus is Yin.

Having sufficient Yin is also important for egg quality and for establishing a thick uterine lining.

If your imbalance is showing a deficiency of Yin, it’s important to work to help get your Yin and Yang in balance. Chinese medicine is great at helping to bring balance back to your Yin (and Yang!).

Like to see more about how we work with Fertility or Hormonal Health?

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