Your cervical fluid tells you what you need to know in three ways: what it feels like when you wipe (“Sensation”), how far it stretches (“Consistency”), and what color it is (“Color”). I think most of us easily take note of Color and Consistency, but I want to remind you of the importance of Sensation. First,…

After you have unprotected intercourse, at some point, seminal fluid will come back out. Maybe later that day, or the next day, or even two days later. Maybe in your underwear or maybe while you’re using the restroom. If you’re used to checking for cervical fluid, you’ve likely noticed that it’s usually slippery, stretchy, and somewhat…

New Moon greetings! This month, let’s clear up the idea of “unusual bleeding,” or bleeding that isn’t a true menstrual period. We always consider days of “unusual bleeding” to be fertile, because bleeding that isn’t a true menstrual period can be associated with ovulation. But how do you know if a bleed is “unusual”? It’s up…

“There’s always something there.” Many women tell me that there’s always some discharge when they check for cervical mucus: “I never have a Dry day.” Maybe it’s pasty and white, or maybe yellowish and gummy. Figuring out your “Basic Infertile Pattern” so you can still tell your infertile days from fertile ones is always possible -…

Question: If I use tampons during my period, can I still consider my first 5 days infertile? Answer: Remember that it’s not always all 5 days at the beginning of your cycle that are infertile. The days of Heavy and Moderate flow, when you know that you are having a true menstruation, are infertile. (In a true menstruation, the…

We often hear about “egg-white mucus” for identifying the fertile phase and ovulation. Peak-type cervical mucus often does look like egg-white, BUT not always. All cervical mucus is fertile. If you see cervical mucus, you know that your “gate” is open, an egg is developing, and your body is preparing to ovulate. You might see something pasty…

Charting tip: On your “Light” and “Very Light” days of true menstruation*, you can check for and chart cervical mucus the same as any other time of your cycle. During days of “Heavy” or “Moderate” flow, you won’t be able to tell whether cervical mucus is being discharged. But on those days when your menstrual…