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Dryness. The lack of any discharge. Not a single bit of anything. It is just the desert down there... I think you get what I am talking about.
Being dry or seeing a lack of cervical mucus can be a good thing or sometimes a sign of an underlying issues. There are certain times in the cycle where we want to see no discharge and there are other times where we really need to have it present. So let's talk dryness!
When Should You Be Dry?
Having no discharge at all should/can occur after the period and after a window of fertility. These are signs of normal and healthy fertility. The lining of your uterus doesn't always immediately start building up the moment your period ends. It can sometimes be a progression. So seeing 2-3 days of dryness after your period is totally normal.
When tracking your cycle and using a system like the Creighton Model, you need to be able to identify when you are no longer in a period of fertility. Dryness or a lack of discharge is that sign. Recognizing you are no longer producing cervical mucus is a sign that progesterone is now taking over and doing its job.
When Should I Not Be Dry?
Although dryness can be sign of healthy fertility, in certain times of your cycle it is actually the complete opposite. In your window of fertility you want to see at least 3 days (this can vary) of good fertile mucus. When you are experiencing very little mucus (1-2 days) in your time of fertility and are completely dry all the other days, that is a sign of something may be off.
How Do I Get Dry When I Need to Be Dry?
Such a weird question, but a very good one. When you need to be dry, when you need to have an absence of mucus, there are things we can do. Really when you are having continuous mucus there is something off balance. Some things to look into are, is your progesterone low? Are you experiencing estrogen dominance? Could there be an underlying issue like PCOS? Something is off when you are experiencing discharge all the time. Which makes sense, you are only fertile for a short window of time. If you experience mucus almost everyday we have to explore where it is all coming from and what is causing it.
What About Dryness During Intercourse?
Yup, I said it. Let's talk dryness during sexy time. This is a very common occurrence in women and it is not something you have to deal with forever. There is some myth out there that when using NFP you can't use a lubricant for intercourse...this is false. But there are some ingredients you should steer clear of when using one. And sure I could list every single one here but let me make this easy for you, you want a lubricant that has the least amount of ingredients and is water based. This is the best thing to help with dryness during intercourse. Using a super simple lubricant is also the healthiest thing for you as well.
When it comes dryness embrace it and recognize it is a healthy thing. Do not fear it, do not overlook it, just embrace it. I know we talk a lot about cervical mucus and its importance when it comes to your fertility. But we also need to recognize the all other components in your cycle. Just like all things there are always going to be ups and downs even when it comes to cervical dryness.
If you are having a hard time with too much cervical mucus or very dry all the time, reach out. There are things that can be done to help and make your cycle easier. Some may be easy some may be more intense none the less there are solutions. Contact us and yes we will discuss your cervical mucus, but also your cervical dryness.