In addition to various symptoms, moods, and other data (known as Cycle Logs), you can also track your cervical mucus on the Withings app. Tracking your cervical mucus can give you important clues into your menstrual cycle and potential fertility (i.e., whether you are close to ovulating).

How does cervical mucus function? 

The cells lining your cervix secrete mucus, and the amount and consistency of the mucus changes over the course of your cycle. The purpose of cervical mucus is to either help facilitate sperm moving through your cervix, or to prevent it, depending on the point in your cycle. For example, around ovulation, the mucus’s consistency adapts to allow the sperm to travel and reach the egg. You may also have more discharge as you approach ovulation. During other times in your cycle, your mucus might be dryer, stickier, and more cloudy colored, or you might have no mucus at all. But remember, everyone is different!

Here are some of the types of cervical mucus you might see (and that you can track in the Withings app):

• Viscous (often thick, sticky, or cloudy)
  Most likely during the follicular phase, shortly after your period ends, or during the luteal phase right after you ovulate.
• Creamy (almost yogurt like consistency, cloudy)
  Most likely later on in the follicular phase, about a week before ovulation.
• Egg white (often slippery, stretchy, or wet)
  Most likely near ovulation, typically right before.
• Aqueous (watery)
  Most likely closer to ovulation.
• No discharge
  Most likely during the luteal phase, or right after your period ends
• Spotting
  Spotting refers to very small amounts of blood. While it is a different type of discharge than cervical mucus, it is still something you can track in the Withings app to keep track of patterns you’re seeing.

In general, on days that you have more, wetter, more slippery cervical mucus, these are days you are more likely to get pregnant (indicating being near ovulation).

What do changes in cervical mucus indicate? 

Changes in cervical mucus might even be an early sign of pregnancy. For example, if you are still getting a lot of cervical mucus in the week or so following ovulation, especially if it has some pink or brown coloring (indicating implantation bleeding), this could be an early sign of pregnancy. Of course, if you think you might be pregnant, take a pregnancy test or talk to your doctor.

Lots of things can cause changes to your cervical mucus, including birth control/ other medications, stress, diet, STIs or vaginal infection, sexual lubricants, breastfeeding, etc. This is another way in which keeping track of your mucus and other symptoms can help you be more aware of your overall health.

How can I check my cervical mucus?

To observe your cervical mucus, you can:

• Insert a clean finger into your vagina. If you rub and pull your fingers together, you will get a good feel for the consistency of your mucus. 
• Use toilet paper before you urinate to obtain a sample
• Observe whether there is cervical mucus in your underwear when you change clothes or use the bathroom

Tracking your cervical mucus is just one approach of many available to you to track your cycle and fertility. Remember that no two people are the same when it comes to their menstrual cycle, and you should always listen to your body. And while your menstrual cycle might not always be glamorous, it’s a great sign that your body is doing exactly the thing it’s supposed to do. Happy tracking!

Important: Data displayed are intended for informational use only. Do not use the ovulation prediction to control pregnancy or support conception. 

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