Cervical Mucus Tracking: Complete Guide to Fertility Signs

Your body produces cervical mucus (also called cervical fluid) throughout your menstrual cycle. By learning to observe and interpret these changes, you can identify your most fertile days—without any tests or devices.

Why Track Cervical Mucus?

Unlike BBT, which confirms ovulation after it happens, cervical mucus changes before ovulation—giving you advance warning of your fertile window. This makes it invaluable for timing intercourse.

The 4 Types of Cervical Mucus

Type	Appearance	Fertility Level	Cycle Phase
Dry/None	No visible mucus, dry feeling	❌ Not fertile	Right after period
Sticky	Thick, white, tacky, breaks easily	⚠️ Low fertility	Early follicular
Creamy	White/yellowish, lotion-like	⚠️ Possible fertility	Approaching ovulation
Egg White (EWCM)	Clear, stretchy, slippery, raw egg white texture	✅ Peak fertility!	1-2 days before ovulation

How to Check Cervical Mucus

1. Check consistently - Same time each day, ideally before urinating
2. Observe color and opacity - Is it clear, white, or yellowish?
3. Test stretch - Touch between thumb and finger, then separate. Fertile mucus stretches 1-2 inches without breaking
4. Note sensation - Fertile mucus feels slippery; dry phases feel, well, dry
5. Log in your app - Record daily for pattern recognition

What Causes Cervical Mucus Changes?

Estrogen levels control your cervical mucus:

• Low estrogen (after period) → Little to no mucus (dry)
• Rising estrogen (approaching ovulation) → Increasing, wetter mucus
• Peak estrogen (just before ovulation) → Abundant EWCM
• After ovulation (progesterone rises) → Mucus thickens, becomes sticky again

Common Questions

What if I never see EWCM?

Some women produce less obvious EWCM. Check internally (near the cervix) rather than just externally. Also ensure adequate hydration—dehydration reduces mucus production.

Can medications affect cervical mucus?

Yes! Antihistamines, decongestants, and some fertility medications (like Clomid) can dry up cervical mucus. Mucinex (guaifenesin) is sometimes used to increase mucus.

Is watery mucus the same as EWCM?

Watery mucus is also fertile! It typically appears just before EWCM and indicates rising estrogen. Both watery and EWCM are "fertile quality" mucus.

Combining with Other Methods

For maximum accuracy, combine cervical mucus tracking with:

• BBT tracking - Confirms ovulation occurred
• OPKs - Detects LH surge 24-36 hours before ovulation
• Cycle apps - Ovuloom combines all data for smart predictions