As a brief review, changes in cervical mucus (CM) are not only a key signal of fertility, but are also a big part of successfully achieving pregnancy. Cervical mucus is produced by glands within the cervix, and specifically within your cervical canal. During your menstrual cycle, both the quantity and the quality (texture, appearance) of cervical fluids undergo a number of changes. In human reproduction, fertile-quality cervical mucus supports conception by providing a fluid, healthy medium in which sperm can survive and propel themselves. CM protects sperm from the naturally-acidic environment of the vagina and helps sperm to move through the cervix into the uterus. And because cervical fluids insulate and nourish sperm, the presence of fertile cervical mucus can also extend the life-span of sperm, in turn increasing the odds of conceiving by helping sperm "hang out" and wait for the egg to appear following ovulation.
