Cervical Mucus and Infertility
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It’s true that cervical mucus plays a major role in how women become pregnant. Not only does it help a woman determine when she is most fertile, it also helps to transport sperm and shield it from the acidity of the vagina, as well as its ability to eliminate the abnormal sperm. Lack of cervical mucus can make it much more difficult or even impossible to get pregnant, but it doesn’t have to mean that you will never become pregnant. A small amount of lack of cervical mucus can be caused by many factors, many of which can be reversed so that your body will start producing the cervical mucus it needs to achieve pregnancy much more easily.
The first thing you will need to do is determine if you are ovulating. Many women that have anovulatory disorders, disorders in which they do not ovulate, do not have much or any cervical mucus. Your doctor can help you figure out if you are ovulating, and then you can tackle that problem to see if that is the cause of the lack of cervical mucus.
Next, you’ll want to think about your age. Younger women usually experience more cervical mucus as well as more days where they have what is commonly called the egg white mucus, which is indicative of fertility. Women in their 30s will typically still experience days where they have this all important mucus, but perhaps not as much as they did in their 20s, meaning there may be a smaller window in which pregnancy can be achieved each month. Women in their 40s often don’t ovulate every month, meaning their may be even less opportunity to get pregnant because there is no egg and a lack of cervical mucus. Age plays a big role in cervical mucus, and one must think about this.
Weight is also a big factor where cervical mucus is concerned. Many women are simply too thin to menstruate, so obviously they do not ovulate or create any cervical mucus. Simply gaining a few pounds can help your body start behaving more normally. If you are overweight your body may produce too much estrogen, which can cause problems as well. Being at your ideal weight will help ensure that your eggs and cervical mucus are at their best.
Fertility drugs are another common cause of little or no cervical mucus, though this would seem to contradict itself. Many of the fertility drugs that benefit the eggs, dry up the cervical mucus, so one must be aware of this. Low estrogen levels are often an issue as well, making an intrauterine insemination the most practical solution as it bypasses the need for cervical mucus.
Women who want to become pregnant can help their cervical mucus output by drinking plenty of water. Like other fluids in your body, your cervical mucus can be affected if you are dehydrated at all. You might also want to use water-based lubricants during sex, which will help serve the same function as the cervical mucus. Your doctor may also have some natural remedies for you to try!
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