Fertility Education Trust

guidelines to charting your fertility cycle, page 20 of 26

3. Changes in the Cervix Itself

The cervix (neck of the womb) changes its shape and position during the menstrual cycle and these changes can be used as another indicator of fertility, if a woman chooses. It involves internal examination, which some women are reluctant to do, but the key changes in the cervix are particularly useful at times of altered fertility, such as breastfeeding and in the menopause years. It takes time and patience to master these changes, and some changes are more noticeable than others, for different women. This is an optional indicator. The mucus and Temperature changes are the most important ones and fundamental to the Sympto-Thermal Method of NFP.

how to examine your cervix

Cervix cross-section.

Before ovulation, the cervix will feel:

Approaching ovulation, the cervix will feel:

After ovulation it reverts to bleeding:

Chart noting cervix characteristics around the fertile days of the cycle.

Chart the changes as illustrated:

You may not want to use this indicator, but it’s worth knowing about anyway. You may want to use it at a different stage of life - breastfeeding, for example, when cycles can stop for many months. It can then become a very useful double check for mucus symptoms.