One of the best-established markers of ovulation is the changes in vaginal discharge that result from the changes in cervical mucus secretion throughout the menstrual cycle (1).
Check cervical mucus before and after you pee, by wiping with a folded square of toilet paper, or clean fingertip, from front to back. As you’re wiping notice the sensation, does it feel slippery?
Take a look at the folded square or your finger. Does it look like there is anything on it? Urine soaks into the paper, cervical mucus will stay on the surface. When you touch the toilet paper with your fingertip, is anything there? Rub your fingertip and thumb together. How does it feel? Sticky like grade-school paste? Creamy like hand lotion? Is it stretchy or slippery like a raw egg white (2)?
Whatever you observed, record it in Kindara. The Cervical Fluid axis progresses from None to Sticky to Creamy to Eggwhite to Watery. We chose these words because they are easy to remember and represent the cervical mucus progression of most people. Everyone is different, though, so choose whichever one most closely resembles yours.
Shortly after you start recording your cervical mucus in the Kindara app, you’ll start to see a pattern emerge! If you need help or more detailed descriptions, including what cervical mucus might look like on your underwear, check out our blog The Many Faces of Cervical Mucus.
References:
1) Stanford, J. B., White Jr, G. L., & Hatasaka, H. (2002). Timing intercourse to achieve pregnancy: current evidence. Obstetrics & Gynecology, 100(6), 1333-1341.
2) Weschler, T. (2015). Taking Charge of Your Fertility: The Definitive Guide to Natural Birth Control, Pregnancy Achievement, and Reproductive Health.