Feel the cervix: This is how you recognize your fertile days

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The cervix forms the closure or opening to the uterus. It consists of the external cervix, towards the vagina, and the internal cervix, towards the uterus. The outer and inner parts together form the cervix, also called the cervical canal.

For most women, the cervix doesn't become an issue until they're pregnant. Namely, when the birth is about to begin, the cervix passes (disappears) and the cervix opens to make way for the baby.

But even when planning a pregnancy, observing or feeling the cervix can help you get pregnant more quickly. Because this changes over the course of the menstrual cycle and can therefore provide information about itand give the fertile days.

Palpating the cervix: how does it work?

Feeling the cervix takes some practice and, above all, patience. For women who really want to have children, but also for women who want to use natural contraception through observation, it is important to feel the cervix regularly (preferably daily) at the same time and to note down the observations. Only then can the changes really be recognized.

In addition, cervical observation should not be the only method of cycle observation. If you are planning a pregnancy or want to use natural contraception, you should also regularly measure your basal temperature and/or check your cervical mucus.

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Since the outer edge of the cervix is ​​located at the upper end of the vagina, it is harder to feel, especially at the beginning, and depending on the phase of the cycle, it protrudes more, less or not at all into the vagina. We want to go into the individual phases straight away.

The cervix is ​​best felt in a squatting position with the index and/or middle finger. It feels like the ball of your thumb and, depending on the phase of your cycle, may have a kind of dimple (this is the opening). If the cervix is ​​tightly closed, it may be impossible to feel the opening.

If you want to document your observations, you should pay particular attention to the following:

  • Does the cervix feel hard or soft?
  • Can you feel the entrance and is it slightly open or is it tightly closed and not really noticeable?
  • Does the cervix protrude into the vagina (it is said to be low) or is it short and perhaps not noticeable at all (it is said to be high)?

Cervix during period

During this phase of the cycle, the cervix is ​​particularly easy to feel because it is firm, extends particularly far into the vagina and feels hard. To get a feel for exactly where your cervix is, it can be helpful to start feeling it at this stage.

During their period, the vast majority of women are very likely to be infertile. The cervix is ​​particularly firm and the vaginal environment is also acidic and quickly kills invading pathogens and sperm. The cervical mucus is also particularly viscous in this phase of the cycle and protects the cervix from fungal infections or bacteria. Immediately after your period, the cervix is ​​tightly closed.

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Cervix after period

With the beginning of the fertile phase (between the 8th to 12th day of the cycle), the cervix becomes softer, shortens and finally opens day by day.

The cervical mucus also changes during this phase. On the one hand, it becomes more and also significantly more liquid. It is already possible to become pregnant in this phase of the cycle. Because the vaginal environment is already less acidic, the cervix is ​​softer and already slightly open.

Also read:

Fun Fact:Sperm survive in the vagina for up to five days during this phase of the cycle.

Cervix on the day of ovulation

A few hours before and after ovulation, the cervix is ​​particularly wide open, particularly short (it almost no longer protrudes into the vagina) and extremely soft. Unlike sperm, the egg only survives for 12 to 24 hours. So if you want to get pregnant, you should have sex now at the latest. And if you use natural contraception, you should avoid sex on that day, but also in the days before, or use a condom for contraception.

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Cervix before period and after ovulation

Immediately after ovulation, the cervix closes completely again and becomes longer and firmer. How long it takes for it to reach its maximum length or firmness varies from woman to woman. Only when your period begins does it open slightly to allow the blood to be expelled, but it is still firm, hard and long.

Cervix during pregnancy

Immediately after ovulation, the cervix closes. The purpose of this, should the egg cell have been fertilized, is to keep it in the uterus and at the same time protect it from invading germs and bacteria. This also means that the cervix feels no different in early pregnancy than it does without pregnancy.

Women cannot therefore feel whether they are pregnant and whether their wish to have children is coming true. The only difference to the cycle of a non-pregnant woman is that the cervix no longer becomes soft. However, this is a lengthy observation and an early pregnancy test may provide information more quickly.

By the way:Around the 5th week of pregnancy (about a week after the missed period), the so-called mucous plug forms at the lower end of the cervical canal, which remains until the end of the pregnancy. It only comes off a few days before the birth and is therefore a clear sign that things are about to begin.

Important NOTE:The content of this article is for informational purposes only and does not replace a diagnosis from a doctor. If you have any uncertainties, urgent questions or complaints, you should contact your doctor.