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You need to know something about the cervix. She’s a gatekeeper!
But not the bad kind.
In fact, the cervix keeps unwanted objects from entering your reproductive system.
You can’t see your cervix, but you can touch it. And learning how to check your cervix can give you insights into your fertility.
If you’re trying to conceive, then checking your cervix is a tool you’ll want to add to your fertility toolbox.
Let’s dive head first into what you need to know about the cervix and the role it plays in trying to conceive
What does my cervix look like?
The cervix looks kind of like a little donut. Doesn’t that sound adorable?
It is about 1 inch long and 1 inch wide and made of muscle tissue. It also resembles puckered lips, and it is often referred to as the “neck” of the uterus because of where it’s located.
The cervix is located where the vaginal canal ends and the uterus begins. So its primary function is to protect the entrance of the uterus. This is important because it prevents foreign objects from getting into the uterus.
Think about it. Tampons, penises, and sex toys can all reach your cervix, but they can’t get past it. The cervix also prevents bacteria from getting into your body. Otherwise, germs and bacteria could wreak havoc on your delicate reproductive system.
The cervix sure does seem to be the real MVP. Let’s see how it helps through the different phases of life.
Functions of the cervix
The cervix keeps out harmful bacteria and clues you into when you’re ovulating.
But this little 1-inch donut does so much more.
Depending on your current menstrual phase or season of life, the cervix is there to support you.
During the follicular phase (after your period and before ovulation):
During the follicular phase, your cervix remains shut. This makes sense when you consider you are not fertile during this time. There’s no need to allow sperm to pass through into the reproductive tract. But once ovulation is near, the cervix acts as sperm storage. The sperm conjugate close to the cervix waiting patiently for it to open. This is one reason why sperm can live inside the reproductive tract for up to 5 days.
During ovulation:
During ovulation, the cervix is responsible for producing cervical mucus. This is the stuff that gets on your panties around ovulation, and you might feel wet for a few days.
Cervical mucus during ovulation is thin, watery, and stretchy. Estrogen signals the glands in the cervical lining to thin the cervical mucus. This texture helps sperm swim through the cervical opening. Cervical mucus during ovulation is often referred to as “EWCM” or “egg white cervical mucus”. It looks a lot like the white part of a raw, cracked egg – thin, clear, and stretchy.
Sperm undergo essential changes when they hang out in this cervical mucus. The changes are known as capacitation and are vital for successful fertilization.
Paying close attention to the arrival and quality of cervical mucus is beneficial when you are trying to conceive (more on that in a second!).
During the luteal phase (after ovulation):
Progesterone levels rise after ovulation and your uterus prepares for a possible pregnancy. Your cervix closes and cervical mucus changes in texture once again. It becomes thick and sticky to block sperm movement since the fertile window is over.
During the luteal phase, the vaginal canal is inhospitable to sperm. This is due to changes in your vagina’s pH levels, which is a measure of how acidic or neutral the environment is. While that sounds off putting, changes in your vagina’s pH levels are normal to reflect where you are in your cycle. This is another reason why egg white cervical mucus is so important. During ovulation, both the cervical mucus and pH level are similar to semen. This helps the sperm reach the uterus and fallopian tubes.
As a side note, vaginal pH is an indicator of your overall vaginal health. If you ever detect a weird smell, then your pH levels may be off balance due to an overgrowth of bacteria. Yeast infections and bacterial vaginosis are examples of when your pH is out of whack. These are usually not dangerous and can typically be remedied with over-the-counter medications.
During menstruation:
Your cervix will open up a little bit during menstruation to allow menstrual blood to flow out from the uterus. But it still acts as a gatekeeper to avoid infections!
During pregnancy and labor:
Oh, baby! The cervix rises to the occasion and performs quite a miraculous feat when it is time for a woman to give birth. That tiny little donut (that’s 1 cm in diameter) will begin to stretch until it is 10 cm wide. This is referred to as “dilation” in order to allow the baby to pass through the birth canal.
Before the big day and during pregnancy, the cervix shuts tight and produces a thick mucus to create a plug. This plug protects the growing embryo/fetus from infection. In the days leading up to birth, the cervix will begin to dilate and stretch. Your OB will check your cervix regularly near the end of your pregnancy to gauge when you are likely to give birth.
It’s clear that when it’s time to shine, your cervix knows how to step up and help in fertility, menstruation, and even pregnancy and labor.
Signs your cervix gives when you’re ovulating
When you’re ovulating, the position and texture of your cervix change to make you more fertile.
These are the four characteristics of your cervix that determine if you are ovulating:
- Texture:
Let’s do an exercise! Touch the tip of your nose!It feels slightly firm, right? This is what your cervix will feel like during your cycle when you are not ovulating.
Now, touch your lips. They should feel softer and spongier than the tip of your nose.
That’s what your cervix will feel like during the ovulation period. It softens to let sperm pass into the uterus.
- Open versus closed:
Picture that donut-shaped cervix. The hole of the donut opens during ovulation, preparing to give sperm a big, warm welcome! An open cervix will feel like a small dent or slit. It won’t be big enough for your finger to get through. It opens up for sperm and seminal fluid to pass, nothing larger than that! When you’re not ovulating, the cervical donut hole will feel like a tightly shut dimple.
- Length:
Your vaginal canal will lengthen at ovulation. If the length of your finger fits all the way inside your vagina, chances are you’re ovulating. If the vagina feels shallower than this, then you are in the follicular or luteal phase of your cycle. This is often referred to as ‘the knuckle rule’. This method may work for many, but it is subjective so you may not always get an accurate understanding of your cervix this way. That’s why it is important to rely on other self-exam methods!
- Moisture:
Estrogen starts rising 3 to 4 days prior to ovulation, and this triggers the production of egg-white cervical mucus. When you are ovulating, the cervix will feel wet to the touch. You’ll also most likely feel the EWCM. If you can stretch the mucus between your thumb and index finger, it’s time to get busy!
When you’re not ovulating, the cervix will feel much drier. Simple as that! Your fingers will not have much mucus on them after withdrawing them from your vaginal canal.
Read More: Cervical mucus 101:What can your cervical mucus tell you about your body?
How do I safely check my cervix?
Before checking your cervix, it’s important to wash your hands first. Getting into a comfortable position will help you to relax, especially if you haven’t done it before. This will also help you reach your cervix easier. Squatting or propping one leg up on the side of a bathtub is the best position when checking your cervix. You may also find it easy to do while sitting on the toilet.
When you gently slide your finger inside your vagina, you will eventually feel a barrier that stops your finger from going further. This is your cervix, on guard 24/7 to protect the opening to the uterus.
So now you know how to check your cervix for ovulation and what to look for. But you might now be asking yourself, “When should I check my cervix for ovulation?”
When you first start to explore your cervix, it’s recommended you do this frequently. You should check it during every phase of your cycle. Especially if your cycle is irregular. This way you can easily tell when you’re ovulating and when you’re not. But don’t worry about when it’s that time of the month… no need to get messy when you know for sure what’s going on in there!
The above methods of self-examination are easy but highly subjective. Have you ever considered an intuitive fertility tracker? The Inito Fertility Monitor is an easy and accurate way to track your fertility hormones.
Inito tracks the following four fertility hormones:
- Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)
- Estrogen (E3G)
- Luteinizing hormone (LH)
- PdG (urine metabolite of progesterone)
Inito measures estrogen and LH to predict ovulation and PdG to confirm ovulation.
And all the results are available at your fingertips. The Inito app sends you notifications so you know exactly when it’s time to get down to business. Baby-making business, that is!
Read More: Master hormones with Inito, your step-by-step guide
The cervix certainly is tiny but mighty. It does a great job at protecting you, but can your cervix experience issues? Let’s talk about unique conditions of the cervix that you need to be aware of.
Conditions of the cervix and when to see a doctor
A healthy cervix is a happy cervix. However, there are conditions of the cervix that can be dangerous. Not only to your fertility but to your overall health.
- Cervical polyps
A polyp is a growth on the cervix and is normally found during a pelvic exam performed by a doctor or OBGYN. The most prominent symptom of polyps is vaginal bleeding outside of menstruation.
They are often biopsied, removed, and sent for testing. Polyps are usually benign and not dangerous. Yet it’s important they are removed. This prevents future bleeding or discomfort during intercourse. Their exact cause is unknown. But it may have something to do with an abnormal response to increased estrogen. They are fairly common, especially in women over the age of 40.
- Cervical cysts
Cysts on the cervix are formally called “nabothian cysts”. Much like polyps, they aren’t usually cause for concern.
Cervical cysts are filled with mucus and can be caused by physical trauma like childbirth. Oftentimes trauma results in excess skin. This skin then covers the mucus glands of the cervix, creating tiny cysts. Nabothian cysts don’t often show symptoms. They are frequently seen by a doctor during a routine pelvic exam. You should consider having them removed if they grow large enough to block your cervix, which is rare.
- Cervical insufficiency
In cervical insufficiency, the cervix is too weak to maintain a pregnancy. The cervix begins to dilate prematurely, resulting in a miscarriage. This usually occurs when a woman has a shorter-than-average cervix.
- Cervicitis
Cervicitis is inflammation of the cervix. This is often due to a sexually transmitted infection (STI). Your vaginal discharge may have an unusual texture or smell. You might also have pain during sex or urination. Sometimes, the infection clears up on its own. Other times you’ll need a prescription medication for the issue to resolve.
- Cervical Cancer
This is the most concerning and dangerous disorder that can affect the cervix. Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer among women. It is caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). There are many different strains of HPV. Some cause herpes infections. Some lie dormant. And others can grow cancerous or precancerous cells.
The great news is that it is highly preventable. Regular pap tests can detect cervical cancer in its early stages. A pap test is a quick procedure that removes a small sample of cells from your cervix. It is slightly uncomfortable but takes seconds to do and can save your life. You should visit your doctor to have a routine pap every 3 years.
Vaccines for the HPV strains that cause cervical cancer have been around for the last 20 years or so. Young girls can start the vaccination process at the age of 9. There are now vaccination options available for older women.
Takeaway
The cervix works hard to protect the uterus. So it is truly the gatekeeper to your internal female reproductive organs. It is a tiny powerhouse for keeping your “down there” area in check.
It’s important to know how it functions if you want to get pregnant. Let’s review a few key takeaway items.
- Knowing how to check your cervix for ovulation can improve your odds of getting pregnant.
- If you’re trying to get pregnant, it is important to become familiar with the way your cervix feels. You’ll then be able to spot the important differences during ovulation.
- When you’re ovulating, the cervix will rise, open up, and feel soft and moist.
- Get the HPV vaccine to help prevent cervical cancer.
- Get a pap test every 3 years. Call your doctor today if you can’t remember the last time you got checked out!
- Try out the Inito Fertility Monitor to boost your chances of getting pregnant.
- It’s ok if you are nervous when first examining your cervix. But it’s worth learning how to check your cervix because it gives you so much information. Like when it’s time to get busy and make a baby!
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