Questions in the Maternal and Child Health Forum have been answered by doctors from Henry Ford Health System.

Question Title: Cervical Mucous and Ovulation

Forum: The Maternal and Child Health Forum
Topic: Pregnancy - Abnormal


I have been tracking my cycle for 12 months now. My husband's sperm analysis is normal to excellent, and my cycle is a regular 28-30 days. The ovulation predictor kits indicate ovulation at day 14-15 each month. However, I have noticed two possible abnormalities. First, my waking temperatures (taken at about 7 a.m., after 9-10 hours of sleep) seem high, around 98.2-98.5. Later in the cycle they go up to 99+. Second, my "eggwhite" cervical mucous seems to occur several days before my apparent ovulation, so that by the time I actually ovulate on day 14 or 15, the mucous ranges from thin and watery to sticky. Then, two days after apparent ovulation, I get a migraine, like clockwork. What might these things indicate? (P.S. Timing of intercourse is definitely not a problem.)

Thank you.

Dear Rhonda:
You have described the normal changes across the menstrual cycle.
The absolute temperature has no meaning: it is the relative change in temperature, which on average is 1/2 degree, from the before to the after ovulation time (98.5 to 99+ fits this pattern).
Cervical mucus thins for a variable time, from cycle to cycle and from person to person. In general, the mucus is watery and stretchable for 3 days before and during ovulation. If then becomes thick and scant in amount.
Migaraine headaches classically occur at times when there is a rapid change in hormone levels: estrogen drops across ovulation and rises in the luteal phase along with progesterone.

Keyowrds: fertility, mucus, temperature

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