FERTILITY SIGNS - Cervical position

   Although the cervical position is one of the main fertility signs, many people do not observe it for various reasons. The cervix is the part of the uterus that reaches into the vagina, connecting the two. It looks like a doughnut with a small opening in the middle. To observe it you have reach up inside your vagina to feel it with your fingertips around the same time every day, in the same position (squatting, lying on the bed etc.).
   In 1962 Dr Edward Keefe american gynecologist was the first one who described the changes in the cervical position during the menstrual cycle. He encouraged women to observe it themselves so that they would know when they are fertile and when they are not.
   In the infertile phase of the cycle the uterus has the shape of a pear upside down. The cervix reaches longer into the vagina therefore you feel it being lower, it is firm and dry and the opening in the middle is closed. In the fertile phase, however, due to the increasing level of estrogen the shape of the uterus becomes more apple-like, the cervix moves higher, it becomes softer and wetter. It also opens up to let the cervical fluid flow into the vagina and to let the sperms reach inside the uterus to fertilize the egg. The cervix is highest, softest, wettest and most open at the time of ovulation. After the egg is released, due to the progesterone hormone produced by the developing corpus luteum, the uterus quickly returns to its upside down pear shape, the cervix becomes low, firm, dry and closed once again. (The picture does not show the changes in the shape of the uterus properly.)

   Those who have read the previous article might have noticed that the changes in the cervical position are very much in synch with the changes in the cervical mucus, both can help us determine the fertile phase in the menstrual cycle. Their reaction to estrogen and progesterone are very similar and if you note them in a cycle chart you will see that they create a spectacular curve. This is the reason, however, that many people choose not to observe the cervical position. The basal body temperature and cervical fluid chart is enough to determine the fertile and infertile phases of the cycle. The cervical position serves as double-check to confirm what the mucus has already told us.

   It can also happen that someone wants to observe the changes of the cervix but for some reason she cannot reach it inside the vagina in any position in any phase of the cycle. That is absolutely normal, no need to be worried, in this case she must rely on the cervical fluid to identify the onset of fertility. 

   Checking the cervix can be especially useful for those who are not sure they understood the cervical fluid sign properly or they have issues with the mucus production due to some medication or hormonal imbalance. In this case the cervix along with the temperature will help them determine the fertile phase. 

   With this we have reached the end of our fertility signs. There is a fourth "sign" also but it is not observation, it is simply counting days and analyzing previous data, during the course I explain it in details but here I do not feel it necessary to write a full article about. 

   I hope you have learnt something useful today but I have to tell you that to be able to chart your fertility signs and use the Fertility Awareness Method properly you must learn it from a qualified educator, reading the articles will not be enough! Here, on the blog I speak of things generally, but the method itself is much more complex, it requires more detailed knowledge!

   For the next article I have a lighter topic, I hope you will enjoy, stay with me. 😉