Female lubrication is one of the main factors for well-being during sex. But did you know that this lubrication is also very important for a woman’s fertility and for the couple? That’s why, for those who want to get pregnant, it is important to constantly keep an eye on this aspect.
We can say that the wetter the woman is, the more fertile she will also be1. But lubrication can be very confusing for those who don’t really understand vaginal mucus and secretions2.
Did you know that the mucus from the fertile period is different from the lubrication during sexual arousal? They have different causes and also happen in different ways. Cervical mucus is independent of sexual arousal. It will appear throughout the day, without the woman feeling sexual desire at any time. It results from hormonal stimuli that the body receives from the reproductive organs.
A good example is the well-known moisturizing mucus. It predominates during most of a woman’s cycle. It’s not uncommon to see accounts about this type of feminine secretion. Although this is not a very lubricating or slippery mucus, it is still part of the cycle that every woman will necessarily go through.
Estrogen3 is mainly responsible for the fertile or egg-white cervical mucus that we notice during the fertile period. This mucus is what allows us to identify the fertile window easily. The thinner, more lubricating, and more elastic it is, the more fertile the woman is.
This female secretion should be noticed by women who want to get pregnant, and especially having intercourse during this time. It is full of nutrients and also has the ideal texture to preserve sperm. Cervical mucus is essential for pregnancy to occur.
Actually, the main difference between lubrication and secretions is the timing and circumstances in which they appear. Cervical mucus is constant, whereas lubrication from sexual arousal happens exclusively when there is sexual desire.
Curiously, the fertile mucus during ovulation looks very similar to arousal mucus. That’s why it’s common for some women to get confused. Being wet can simply mean that at some point, there was a sexual stimulus that triggered lubricating secretion. While ovulation mucus is produced due to the presence of estrogen, arousal mucus is triggered by a different hormone.
During arousal, the responsible hormone is testosterone. It stimulates lubrication release on the vaginal walls and through Bartholin’s glands. While fertile period mucus starts thick and dense, gradually thinning out during the cycle, vaginal lubrication for sex is instantly thinner and appears only during sexual activity. To know the difference, just rub a little of the secretion between your fingers. Arousal lubrication dries and evaporates relatively quickly, whereas cervical mucus does not.
It’s also worth remembering that male ejaculation can make things even more confusing! Hours after intercourse with internal ejaculation, this semen can look very similar to fertile mucus and make things even more confusing. We must always remember these fine points before getting excited or worried by any discharge on underwear or when wiping the intimate area with toilet paper.
Lubricant to Get Pregnant – Which Are the Best and How to Use?
As mentioned above, unfortunately not every body works as expected. Some women have little ovulation mucus and not much arousal secretion. This can make intercourse difficult or painful. In addition to lack of sexual pleasure, which can hurt intercourse, lack of mucus makes it harder for sperm to reach the egg!
Women who struggle to produce mucus and other natural secretions may resort to lubricants that are not ideal for getting pregnant. So it’s important to clarify that store-bought lubricants sold in pharmacies are not ideal for those trying to conceive. Some contain spermicide in their formulation, and even those without it can make the vaginal environment hostile to sperm.
Fertility-friendly lubricants are always developed with water, magnesium, and balanced pH to maximize sperm survival inside a woman’s body.
Conception lubricants also help sperm reach the egg faster, making them an excellent option for those who wish to conceive. Application should happen up to 30 minutes before intercourse. Usually, these gels work best when at a temperature close to the body’s natural temperature.
It’s worth remembering that FamiGel and other fertility-friendly lubricants should be used during the fertile days. Otherwise, they won’t be able to increase the chances of pregnancy.
Fertility-friendly gels or conception lubricants should be seen as an investment. Their price is usually higher than regular lubricants sold at pharmacies, but they are great allies on your journey to pregnancy.
In short: if you want to invest in your fertility and use all available resources, it’s worth it. Otherwise, pharmacy lubricants do a good job providing female lubrication, but they can hinder those who are trying to conceive.
See also: When Does the Ovulation Period Happen?
