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Last Updated:
Jan 3rd, 2010 - 00:09:53
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Question
I am showing signs of ovulating. My cervical mucus is white thick and stringy, but I did not have my period this month. If I'm not ovulating, what could it be?
Thank You.
Kelly
Answer
Dear Kelly,
White, thick, stringy mucus starts a few days before a woman ovulates. It usually progresses to clear, stretchy, and/or lubricative mucus which continues for 3 or 4 days. The last day of any of these mucus signs is very close to the time of ovulation. Your period will start within 9 to 16 days unless you had sexual relations with your husband during the time of the mucus or within 24 hours of ovulating, and you are pregnant. Congratulations!
If a woman is experiencing unusual stress, the mucus may stop, and the ovulation may be delayed. There are a number of situations or events that can cause unusual stress in a woman's life. Some examples might be strenuous exercise, moving, preparing for a wedding, changing jobs, illness, bereavement after the death of a family member or close friend, exams, travel, major decisions, just to name a few. Once the stress is relieved or the woman is able to effectively cope with a chronic stress situation, the mucus will resume, and the woman will ovulate. This can and does happen to women more frequently than most people realize. It is a protective mechanism built into the woman's body to reduce the chance of becoming pregnant during a difficult time.
Occasionally a woman may have a persistent ovarian cyst which may cause continuous mucus, without an ovulation. If a woman has polycystic ovarian disease or some other ovarian dysfunction she may experience multiple episodes of mucus without ovulation. This would require hormone testing by a doctor. A Creighton Model Medical Consultant can diagnose and provide cooperative medical treatments which do not suppress or damage a woman's fertility when these conditions exist. A Medical Consultant can be found on this website.
You may want to attend a natural family planning class in your area. Observing and charting your cycles gives you remarkable insight into your times of fertility and infertility and assists you in identifying the biological markers which warn you ovulation may be delayed. Observing and charting also identifies the biological markers associated with ovarian cysts, ovarian dysfunction, and polycystic ovarian disease. You can check this website for a certified teacher or practitioner in your area.
I hope this answered your question, Kelly.
Pat Poindexter RN, CFCP, FCE
Pat Poindexter, RN, BS, CFCP, FCE has taught NFP for 23 years, the first 15 as a Billings Instructor, and the last 8 as a Fertility Care Practitioner.
She is a Fertility Care Educator, training other NFP Practitioners, and is an RN in radiation oncology.
© Copyright 2005 by CANFP
The information on this page and web site is for informational purposes only,
and is not a substitute for medical diagnosis and treatment by a physician.
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