Location:
Call: 040 7123 7123
[email protected]

10 July, 2019

How Cervical Mucus Hostility affects female Fertility

Cervical mucus is very important for conception. It is produced in the cervix which is present at the opening of the womb. It changes over the course of the cycle because of hormones. Cervical mucus creates the ideal environment for the semen to thrive and move freely, and hence, is very essential in achieving pregnancy.

Before ovulation starts, there is an increase in the cervical fluids which look like raw egg whites in consistency. When the cervical mucus is in this form, it helps in nourishing the sperm cells and increases their capability to move through the cervical canal. Hence it can be said that cervical mucus is essential to improve the chances of pregnancy. This process can be impeded if there is any problem with the cervical mucus and will cause problems in getting pregnant. This is known as cervical mucus hostility and it is the reason behind 3-8 percent of all infertility cases in females.

Cervical Mucus Hostility

Sometimes, the cervical mucus in a woman starts attacking and destroying the sperm before it reaches the egg. This condition is known as cervical hostility. Problems with a woman’s cervical mucus might interfere with the chances of getting pregnant. If the case is mild, it may lead to increase in the time to get pregnant and not cause infertility. However, serious problems with cervical mucus will cause infertility and might require treatments as well as hormonal support. When these problems become the reason for fertility problems, it is referred to as hostile cervical mucus. Problems with vaginal secretions include the ones that are highly acidic, severe vaginal dryness, or even other immunological problems can also be referred to as hostile cervical mucus.

Causes of Cervical Mucus Hostility

Cervical mucus hostility can be caused due to several reasons. The most common causes of this problem are:

1. Thick, Sticky, or Dry Mucus

An imbalance in the hormones and frequent problems in ovulation are some of the main causes of cervical mucus hostility. When the consistency of the cervical mucus is thick, the motility of the sperm will interfere. It may be due to side effects of certain medications as well.

2. Acidic Mucus

A highly acidic mucus is hostile to the sperm. A reason for this condition is hormonal irregularities which can interfere with your natural pH balance. Yeast or bacterial infection may also result in high acidity.

3. Inflammatory Cells

These cells develop as a response to infections. When these cells are produced in the cervix or vagina, they start targeting the sperm and actively destroy them. This can cause problems in getting pregnant.

4. Anti-Sperm Antibodies

These antibodies are defensive proteins. They are generated by the immune system of the body in response to an infection in the past where sperm was either involved or was actively present. While this condition is less common, they will still attack the sperm and kill them.

Cervical Mucus Hostility and Fertility

Here are some ways in which cervical mucus hostility affects fertility.

1. Medication Side Effects

The quality of the cervical mucus can decrease due to some medications. They might also dry up the mucus. Drugs taken for a short period of time usually do not cause any problems.

2. Clomid

This is a medication usually given to help with pregnancy, however, sometimes, it can cause problems. When higher doses of Clomid are taken, it can increase the chances of having problem with cervical mucus. It is best to talk to your doctor about your lack of fertile cervical mucus or if you notice vaginal dryness when taking Clomid. They will help you with reducing the risks and side effects of the same.

3. Age

Cervical mucus starts decreasing as a woman gets older. It is a well-known fact that fertility decreases with age, and one of the ways in which her fertility gets affected is because of the changes in the quality and quantity of the mucus. During the 20s, a woman’s cervical mucus can be seen for more days as compared to in her 30s. Sometimes, they may never become raw egg white texture and may remain at the watery stage. This mucus is needed for the sperm to swim and survive from the cervix to the uterus, and finally into the fallopian tubes. The consistency is different from person to person and there is no way of accurately predicting the number of days or quality mucus of a woman based on only her age.

4. Douching

During vaginal douching, you wash away valuable cervical mucus that is needed for getting pregnant. It also washes away good bacteria which leads to vaginal infection. An unpleasant vaginal odor could be a sign of a vaginal infection. Many medications for yeast infection might cause discomfort and irritation. Bacterial infections could be a reason for strong vaginal odors and treating it is important for fertility and overall health.

5. Being Underweight

The increase of cervical mucus that precedes ovulation is caused by the hormone estrogen. You may even have low estrogen levels if you are a professional athlete. Exercising regularly helps if you are underweight. This will help in the increase of more fertile cervical mucus and will also help with ovulation problems.

6. Hormonal Imbalance

Hormonal imbalance can be a reason for the lack of production of cervical mucus. There is a reduction in fertile cervical mucus if ovulation does not take place properly. It is also possible not to be ovulating at all but have an excess amount of fertile cervical mucus. It depends on the causes of ovulations problems.

Treating Cervical Mucus Hostility

Treatment for cervical mucus hostility depends on various factors. Usually, treatment includes the following:

  • Antifungal or antibiotics can be used for the treatment of any cervical or vaginal infection.
  • Mucus hostility may be caused due to high doses of clomiphene. Changing or lowering the dose can help.
  • If there are no signs of anti-sperm antibodies and other infections, fertility-friendly lubricants can be used.
  • Bypassing of the cervix can also be done with intrauterine insemination.

If infertility is persistent and all other treatment efforts are unsuccessful, then in vitro fertilization can be explored. Though it is common among infertile women, cervical mucus hostility is usually one of the last things that are tested for to check for infertility. Talk to your doctor and discuss this option for checking your fertility problems. Our team of doctors at KIMS Cuddles can explain cervical mucus hostility in detail and help you with ways to overcome it.

*Information shared here is for general purpose Please take doctors’ advice before taking any decision.

SIMILAR ARTICLES

blog featured image

30 January, 2018

Ways in which Dads-to-be can help out in Delivery Room

In the delivery room, it is up to the mother to do all the pushing. However, dad can play a major role in the birthing process too. Labor can be overwhelming for first-time mothers. If your partner is able to have a normal, vaginal delivery, you can ask the doctor about being present in the delivery room during birthing process. As a dad, your support and encouragement can go a long way in comforting the mother. Here are some ways in which dads-to-be can help out in the delivery room: Provide Distractions Labor has the tendency to be long and tedious. You may be spending hours doing nothing but waiting for your baby to arrive. You can take your wife’s mind off her discomfort by keeping her distracted. Music, conversations or even card games are a great way to keep her mind occupied. Speak out on her Behalf To do this, it is important you discuss her birth plan in advance. Understand how she feels about episiotomies or what her expectations of the doctor are. Don’t wait until your partner begins having her contractions to find out what kind of assistance she needs from you. Knowing her birth plan in advance makes it easier for you to articulate her needs when she is in pain,
Read More
blog featured image

01 February, 2018

7 Fertility mistakes every couple makes

When trying to conceive for the first time, couples often make certain mistakes that delay conception. Here are 7 common fertility mistakes every couple makes and ways to improve your chances to get pregnant: Timing Typically, women have a 28-day cycle, which means ovulation generally happens around day 14. However, it isn’t guaranteed that every woman goes through the same. Individual cycles vary and you may have one that’s shorter or longer. In order to figure out the exact date of your ovulation, you can count back 14 days from the day you started your period. Seeing an expert to soon Most women under 35 take up to a year to get pregnant. If you’re feeling frustrated after trying for 6 or 7 months, and don’t have any underlying health problem, it is better to wait it out. Almost 80% of healthy couples get pregnant within a year. If you’re over 35, see an expert after six months of trying. Waiting too long to see an expert Sometimes, there are exceptions to the one-year-wait rule. If your cycle is shorter than 25 days or longer than 35 days, if your periods are painful or heavy, or you’ve experienced a pelvic infection in the past, see a doctor sooner to get everything checked.
Read More
blog featured image

02 February, 2018

Reasons for periods to be late if Pregnancy test is Negative

More often than not, a missed period is an indicator of a woman’s pregnancy. However, that isn’t always correct. A woman may have a delayed or missed period but still, have a negative pregnancy test. There may be several reasons for that happening. Here are some of them: Low Hormone Levels During early pregnancy, the levels of the pregnancy hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) aren’t high enough for a home pregnancy test to detect. So if you’re trying to get pregnant, your negative test result on a home kit may not be correct and you might be pregnant. A woman’s cycle may keep varying and if she conceives later in the cycle, the hormone levels may be low at the time of her missed period. To rule out any complications, be sure to talk to your doctor if you miss your periods and continue to do so. Ectopic Pregnancy Although rare, an ectopic pregnancy can show up as negative on a home pregnancy test. Only about 3 percent or fewer cases of negative tests point towards an ectopic pregnancy. If you have these symptoms along with a negative result, see your doctor immediately: Severe pain in lower abdomen or on one side Dizziness or lightheadedness Bleeding or spotting Nausea and vomiting
Read More
Loading booking..