Cervix: Recognize the fertile days

What is the cervix?

The two openings in your cervix are called the cervix. The upper opening to the uterus is the internal os , the lower opening to the vagina is the external os . You can feel the latter with a finger in your vagina. If you haven’t had a baby yet, the cervix is ​​usually dimpled. This form usually changes after pregnancy. It is then more in the form of a column, similar to a mouth.

The cervix during pregnancy and childbirth

When you are pregnant, both the inner and outer cervix are closed. This prevents germs from entering your uterus and causing infections . As labor begins and the onset of labor pains, the cervix changes: it softens and shortens. Finally, the inner cervix also opens. In the next step, the external cervix begins to open. When this has widened to around ten centimetres, the so-called expulsion phase of birth begins. You can get more information about the stages of birth in our article “Three stages of birth” .

The cervix and natural family planning

Your cervix plays an important role during pregnancy and childbirth. If you are not pregnant but want to become pregnant, your cervix can give you information about your fertile days. Because during your cycle , your cervix changes in terms of position, firmness and opening. The principle of the examination is similar to that of the Billings method , in which the cervical mucus is examined to determine the fertile days. However, when applied individually, both methods are only partially reliable. It is better to combine them with the temperature method. You can find more information on this in our articles “Temperature Method” and “Symptothermal Method” .

This is how your cervix changes

After menstruation, your cervix is ​​closed and protrudes far into the vagina as a firm projection, so that you can feel it particularly well in this phase. It now feels something like a cherry or the cartilage of the tip of the nose.

As ovulation approaches, your cervix will soften and its opening will widen. Because it’s also changing position, retreating two to three centimetres, it can now be more difficult to feel for it. In this state, it feels more like a lip or an earlobe.

In general, you can assume that you are fertile when your cervix is ​​softest and widest. The chance of conceiving a child is then particularly high, since sperm can penetrate more easily into the uterus.

A day or two after ovulation, it starts to close up again and gets harder too.

Here’s how you can examine your cervix

It is best to start after your menstrual period, when the cervix can be felt easily. In order to achieve an optimal result, you should always examine yourself under the same conditions. You should note the following:

• Check the cervix every day.
• Your bladder should be empty.
• Whenever possible, use the same finger and make sure it’s clean.
• You should also keep the same position whenever possible, for example standing with one leg on the edge of the tub or lying with one leg drawn up.
• The best way to feel the condition of your cervix is ​​through circular movements.
• If you cannot feel your cervix, try to move your uterus down a little by pressing on your lower abdomen.
• Document your results of the daily examination, this makes later analysis easier. For example, use our menstrual cycle calendar .

In the beginning, there is certainly some overcoming to the investigation and it will certainly take a few cycles before you can interpret changes well. But once the procedure has leveled off, the examination in combination with the temperature method can support you very well in your natural family planning.