3 Tips to Help You Increase Cervical Mucus

Written by Michele Drake

If cervical mucus is a new term for you, you’re probably cringing. But the truth is, it’s a normal bodily function, essential for contraception, and can tell you a lot about your hormonal health.

Cervical mucus (sometimes called cervical fluid), is a fluid made in the crypts of the cervix (the lowest part of the uterus, which opens into the vagina). This fluid plays a crucial role in helping sperm survive and find the egg during conception. It’s also essential for maintaining a healthy vagina pH and keeping the vagina clean and lubricated. Most fertility awareness based methods (FABMs) teach a protocol for checking cervical mucus as a fertile sign. FABM instructors can also help you learn what your cervical mucus is telling you about your hormones.

As a fertility awareness educator, I sometimes hear from folks who want to increase the amount of cervical mucus they see. If you don’t see much, you may be concerned about your ability to use a FABM for contraception or conception, and you may feel confused about your hormone patterns. If this describes you, your best bet is to check in with your instructor (or find one, if you don't have one). They can help you determine whether you are checking properly, and whether lack of cervical mucus is a problem. If it is, they might recommend one of the options below.

1. Mind your diet

Cervical mucus production (li

ke ovulation) is a secondary function for our bodies. If we are lacking in certain nutrients, we may not see much in quantity. Obviously hydration is very important since fertile cervical mucus is about 96% water! But you may also consider checking your Vitamin A (and beta carotene), Vitamin B, and Vitamin C levels. How is your omega 3-6-9 balance? Essential fatty acids are necessary in cervical mucus production.

If your diet seems balanced, you might consider using some gentle plant magic to bolster your cervical mucus production. Evening Primrose Oil is commonly used as a dietary supplement for increasing cervical fluid - but is only advised until ovulation has been confirmed, when you should discontinue until the following cycle. Marshmallow Root, Licorice Root, and Slippery Elm are also known for their mucilaginous properties. Check in with an herbalist for information on dosage and method (often a choice of teas or tinctures). Cera Merrick and Kaeleigh Terrill are both Fertility Awareness Educators and trained herbalists.

2. Lifestyle Enhancements

Vaginal steaming is a traditional practice of using steam and herbs on the vulva. It’s often used as a postpartum healing tool, but it’s also great for increasing cervical mucus. Steaming increases circulation and helps bring energy into your womb space. BabyGlow Doula offers a virtual steam session. Abdominal massage has also been found to increase cervical mucus through focused manipulation and increased circulation. If your local options are limited, Indigemama has a great class for teaching self-massage.

3. Temporary Fixes

The following suggestions will not address the root cause of a lack of cervical mucus, but if lack of cervical mucus is hurting your chances of conception, they will usually get the job done.

Preseed is a lubricant pH matched to sperm (and fertile cervical fluid). Using it during intercourse can help you bypass the need for fertile cervical mucus if trying to become pregnant.
Taking Mucinex for a few days around ovulation will increase all types of mucus in your body. For some folks, it’s enough to result in a pregnancy.

If neither of these are doing the trick for conception and you are ovulating regularly, IUI could be a good option for you.

When trying to increase cervical mucus, keep in mind some prescription drugs and over-the-counter medications can impact cervical mucus production. Unfortunately, this side effect isn’t often studied so much of the information we do have is anecdotal. But if you take allergy medications (specifically antihistamine) regularly, you may want to investigate the possibility of it impacting your cervical mucus production.

Lack of cervical mucus could also be a sign of hormonal imbalance or anovulation. Both are treatable! Props to you for using a body literacy practice allowing you such insight. The best thing to do would be to double check your observation technique is the correct one for your method. If you aren’t sure, consult an instructor.

Michele Drake is a Fertility Awareness Educator and advocate with a passion for supporting people with their birth control choices. After witnessing many friends struggle to find their ideal method for avoiding pregnancy, balance their hormones, or achieve pregnancy, she was inspired to empower people with knowledge about their own bodies so they may make informed choices about their health.

Michele offers one-on-one classes for natural birth control, conception, menstrual wellness, and achieving hormonal balance. She is also donation-based distance birth control doula support. You can find her through her website or over on Instagram.