The fertile window is one of the most important times for couples trying to conceive. While men are fertile all the time, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, women are fertile only once per menstrual cycle. That’s why changes in the vagina are so important—the more signs of fertility, the easier it is to get pregnant.
It’s important for women to notice these changes to either conceive or avoid an unwanted pregnancy. So, what are the possible vaginal changes during the fertile period?
The Vagina Outside of the Fertile Period
When menstruation occurs, the vagina becomes moist with menstrual blood, may become swollen, but above all, there is significant blood flow to the area. As menstruation ends, the vagina becomes drier, as if all the moisture that was present during menstruation suddenly disappears1.
Many women notice this change in their vagina during sexual intercourse. Penetration becomes more difficult, even with lubrication, women may feel dry, and sometimes even notice a difference in the depth of penetration; discomfort can begin without it being complete. It’s as if the vagina becomes shallower—a crude explanation, but quite close to what actually happens. This happens because the uterus is more mobile2 and sits lower after menstruation. In these cases, we recommend using fertility-friendly lubricating gels to improve comfort during intercourse, and if you are trying to conceive, it can offer an extra boost for fertility.
It’s not a rule, but it often happens to many women. Post-menstrual cervical mucus is commonly whitish in color and has the consistency of moisturizing cream or white paste. This cream is produced due to progesterone, the hormone that takes over after menstruation.
What Is It Like After the Fertile Period?
As soon as the fertile period ends, the vagina can become slightly more swollen, just as it does during menstruation, but to a lesser extent because of decreased blood circulation, and it’s quite likely that the moisturizing cream mucus mentioned above becomes much more abundant and intense. The amount of this creamy mucus is much higher than what is normal right after menstruation because, if ovulation has occurred, the corpus luteum stimulates further mucus production.
The Vagina During the Fertile Window
The fertile window is a landmark in a woman’s cycle, as it brings about as many changes as pregnancy does—did you know that? It’s really a matter of awareness that develops over time. Watching your body is essential to identify these changes, even though they are quite clear in some women.
There is an effective method called the Billings Method, which consists of observing vaginal secretions—tracking your entire cycle, not just the fertile days3. Going back to the topic of the vagina during the fertile period, it becomes moister and more swollen. Women may notice a strong increase in sexual arousal, evident by the size of the clitoris. Arousal is much easier during this phase, and women definitely feel it—there is a very marked change in libido—that’s the hormonal and reproductive instinct at work!
The mucus during the fertile phase is much more elastic and moist. Unlike the post-ovulatory phase, even if you don’t see the mucus, you will feel more moistness in the region. In addition, some women can spot egg white cervical mucus a few days before the peak of fertility.
The most fertile day is when the mucus becomes most stretchable—when you take it between two fingers and separate them, the mucus stretches easily without breaking. When you see this mucus and want to get pregnant, it’s time for intimacy!
Ways to Detect Vaginal Changes During the Fertile Period
Some women notice visible changes in their vagina during their fertile window. It becomes redder and sometimes darker due to increased blood flow. On touch, you’ll feel changes in the labia majora and minora; you can also use a hand mirror to see these changes more clearly by positioning it between your legs facing your private area.
Some women are used to performing a self-examination by touch, which not only allows them to feel the outside of the vagina but also to notice internal changes, such as the cervix opening during the fertile period. Throughout the cycle, except during menstruation, the cervix stays closed and its central orifice becomes more wrinkled, and during ovulation this orifice becomes more open and smooth. This method is a great trick, but it should be performed with extreme care, preferably wearing gloves or with well-trimmed nails to avoid scratching the cervix or inside the vagina and causing an infection.
See also: Vaginal Changes During Pregnancy
