Cervix
In the course of a cycle you can also observe the changes of the cervix: Whilst at the beginning of the cycle it is at a low position (that means easy to reach) is closed and feels firm, at the time of
ovulation the cervix feels soft, is slightly opened and at a high position (difficult to reach). During this time women also often feel the so called "Mittelschmerz", an abdominal pain that appears 0-1.5 days before ovulation.
Whilst before ovulation the position of the cervix changes first (followed by consistency and opening), after ovulation the hardness forms back first (followed by opening and position). For practising it is best to start imminent to ovulation because cervical changes take place rather slowly before ovulation whereas the back-formation occurs quite abruptly.
If you
contracept the fertile period usually ends on the evening of the third day with a hard, closed cervix, what means that the cervix was hard and closed for three days (
Natürliche Familienplanung heute, p. 56). The best time to check the cervix is in the evening since many women account that their cervix is always soft in the morning. Do not check directly after sexual intercourse; the cervix is different then.
In ca. 1.7% of the cycles two or more cervical back-formations can be observed (
Natürliche Familienplanung heute, S. 56); it is therefore advisable to double-check (e.g. by additionally examining the
cervical mucus) before assuming to be infertile. Alternatively increasing the safety period after the cervical closure from three to six days causes clearly better results, because you will notice it early enough if the cervix opens again. – Any liability for the information on this page or its correctness is excluded.
(Last updated: 10/01/2008)
