Examining your vaginal mucus

Here's how to measure your vaginal mucus texture in the evening using Shekan.

What is cervical mucus?

First of all, let's talk about cervical mucus. This is the fluid that is produced by your cervix and helps your body to maintain a healthy environment for sperm. It changes throughout your cycle, becoming thinner and more watery as you approach ovulation. This makes it easier for sperm to travel up to your fallopian tubes and fertilize an egg.

The measurement

Let's go through the steps you need to take for your measurement.

1. Before you start

To start, you'll need to wash your hands thoroughly and use a clean tissue to wipe your vulva. You want to make sure that you don't introduce any outside bacteria into your vagina, which could affect your observations.

2. Collecting a sample

Then, use your index and middle finger to collect a small sample of cervical mucus from the opening of your vagina. Don't worry, this isn't as intimidating as it might sound.

3. Analyse your sample

Next, you'll need to examine the texture of your cervical mucus. Shekan provides you with a couple of different options to choose from:

• No mucus means that you aren't producing much cervical mucus and are unlikely to be fertile.

• Creamy mucus is thinner and more wet-feeling, but still doesn't stretch very far between your fingers.

• Clotted mucus typically has the consistency of sticky, dry, or crumbly paste.

• Sticky mucus is thicker and doesn't stretch very far between your fingers.

• Egg-white like mucus is stretchy, slippery, and can be stretched between your fingers for a few centimeters.

• Stretchy mucus is similar to egg-white like mucus and can also be stretched between two fingers.

• Watery mucus can look and feel like a clear, watery discharge.

Additionally, you can record the following vaginal mucus types:

• Yellowish mucus: Usually, healthy vaginal mucus is clear or white, so the appearance of yellow mucus can catch you off guard. Fear not. This mucus type is quite common and can hang around for a day or two before it clears up. However, if it persists or is accompanied by other symptoms such as itching, burning, or abnormal odor, it may indicate an infection or other health problem, so it's wise to consult a medical professional.

• Spotting: Light additional bleedings that can occur outside of menstruation, caused by various reasons and shouldn't be interpreted primarily as a menstrual disorder. They can be caused by a disturbance of hormonal balance, inflammation, and can occur during menstrual cycles or hormonal imbalances during pregnancy. For others they can occur during ovulation, while for some women, they may be a sign that their period is about to start.

• Unusual mucus: Discharge that does not fall under any other category and that can come in many different forms. It can be thin and clear, thick and opaque, yellow or green, and even have a foul odor. Make sure to seek guidance from a medical professional if you continue noticing unusual discharge.

4. Record your results

Add all the mucus textures and vaginal sensations that occur throughout the day to today's events in your Shekan app..

It's important to note that everyone's cervical mucus is different, and it can take some time to get used to observing and interpreting your own observations. Over time, you'll start to notice patterns in your cycle and get a better understanding of your body's unique rhythm.

Measuring your vaginal mucus texture in the evening using Shekan is an important building block of the sympto-thermal method. It's a mandatory event, that can lead to a temporary exclusion from the sympto-thermal method, if not recorded regularly.