Did you know that the cervix is able to change its position and texture depending on the ongoing ovulation cycle? Feeling the cervix can help you to know if you are ovulating or not, and is suitable for understanding more about the reproductive system. No special equipment is needed to feel your cervix. See step one for the guide.
Step
Part 1 of 2: Finding the Neck
Step 1. Find out the location of the cervix
The cervix is located at the very bottom of the uterus which is directly connected to the vaginal wall. It is located between 7.6 to 15.2 cm in the vagina, at the end of the vaginal tunnel. The shape is like a small donut with a small hole in the middle. The position and texture of the cervix change throughout the ovulation cycle.
The inner canal of the cervix has glands that secrete vaginal mucus. The color and texture of mucus also changes throughout the ovulation cycle
Step 2. Wash your hands with soap and warm water
Since you will be using your fingers to touch the cervix, wash your hands thoroughly to prevent transmission of bacteria to the reproductive system. Avoid using lotion or hand cream before touching the cervix, as the ingredients in these products can cause vaginal infections.
If you have long nails, trim them before they touch the cervix. Long, sharp nails can injure the vagina
Step 3. Find a comfortable position
Most women find a sitting position (rather than standing or lying down) to provide easy access to the cervix with minimal discomfort. Sit on the edge of the bed or bathtub with your knees apart.
Step 4. Insert the middle finger into the vagina
Point your finger into the vagina slowly and insert it into the vagina. Depending on your ovulatory cycle, your finger will be a few inches into your vagina before you can touch the cervix.
If needed, you can lubricate your fingers with a water-based lubricant so they can get in easily. Don't use petroleum jelly, lotion, or other products that don't specifically mention vaginal use
Step 5. Touch the cervix
Your fingertips will touch something donut-shaped at the tip of the vagina. You can tell it's the cervix if your finger can't go any deeper. Your cervix will feel soft, like pursed lips, or hard like the tip of your nose depending on when you ovulate.
Part 2 of 2: Knowing the Signs of Ovulation
Step 1. Determine the high and low position of the cervix
If your cervix is "low," that is, just inches from your vagina, it's not ovulation time. If it's "high," it's deep in the vagina, you're probably ovulating.
If you've only touched the cervix a few times, determining the high and low position of the cervix will be difficult. Try to keep touching it every day for one to two months. Feel the difference in the position of the cervix from week to week. In the end you will be able to know the high and low position of the cervix
Step 2. Feel the texture of the cervix
If your cervix feels hard and tight, you are not ovulating. If it feels soft, you are ovulating.
The texture of the cervix during ovulation is like a pair of lips. In other periods, before and after ovulation, it will feel like the tip of your nose – a little hard
Step 3. Determine whether the cervix is wet or not
During ovulation, the cervix will feel wet with fluid, and you may experience an increase in vaginal discharge. After ovulation, the cervix will feel dry until the menstrual period.
Step 4. Use other methods to determine ovulation
In addition to feeling the cervix, monitoring vaginal fluids and recording a baseline temperature can help determine when to ovulate. The combination of the above tracking methods is called Fertility Awareness, and if done correctly is an effective way to determine the fertile period.
- Just before and during ovulation, vaginal discharge will become thick and slippery.
- When ovulation occurs, your baseline temperature will rise slightly. You'll need to take your temperature with a basic thermometer every morning so you can record the temperature rise.
