CONTRACEPTION

CERVICAL MUCUS METHOD

The hormones that control menstrual cycle phases also act on the glands of the cervix that produce mucus secretions. The mucus secreted by the cervix collects in the cervix and vagina. It changes in quality and quantity just before and during ovulation. With proper personal instruction, many women can learn to recognize the changing characteristics. . The cervical mucus method is also known as the "ovulation method" or the "Billings method".

The Mucus Pattern

• The cycle begins with menstruation. During vaginal bleeding, the flow disguises the mucus signs.
• The menstrual period is usually followed by a few days when no mucus is present – these are "dry days."
• As an egg starts to ripen, mucus increases in the vagina and appears at the vaginal opening. It is generally yellow or white, cloudy and sticky.
• The greatest amount of cervical mucus usually occurs immediately before ovulation during the "wet days." The mucus becomes clear and slippery resembling raw egg whites. When the mucus can be stretched between the fingers it is called spinnbarkeit – German for stretchable. This is the peak period of fertility.
• About four days after the wet days begin, mucus may abruptly become cloudy and sticky, reduce sharply in volume, and a few dry days may return before your period starts.

Charting Your Mucus Pattern

Chart:

• Get someone with experience to help you become familiar with your own pattern until you are able to interpret the changes yourself.

• As with the other methods, records need to be kept on an ordinary calendar. 

• Mark the days of your menstrual period, the dry days, sticky days, and wet days. 

• It’s best for a woman to avoid intercourse for at least one whole cycle when you start to use the mucus method for birth control.

Do not use this method if

The Safe times

• It is considered unsafe to have intercourse during menstruation, especially during shorter cycles. Vaginal bleeding can disguise the mucus signs. Non-menstrual vaginal bleeding around the time of ovulation may be mistaken for a menstrual period. 

• The fertile phase begins at the first sign of wetness after menstruation, but it may also begin a day or two before wetness begins. Intercourse must be avoided on any wet days, unless you are trying for a pregnancy – fertilization is most likely to occur during this phase. Otherwise you must refrain from sex for at least three days after ovulation or until the wet days end, whichever is the longer number of days.

• It is considered safe to have sex after ovulation when mucus sharply decreases in volume and becomes cloudy and sticky again. It is considered even safer to have intercourse during the dry days that may follow before your period begins.

 
Next