The oil from the seeds of the Evening Primrose (Oenothera biennis) plant is an excellent way to increase cervical mucus production.
The cervix produces different types of mucus or fluid depending on where a woman is at in her menstrual cycle. Just after menstruation, this fluid is thick and acidic and referred to as infertile CM that is designed to prevent sperm from entering the vagina. When a woman is about to ovulate, her CM should increase in amount and change in texture from “wet” to a more pliable, stretchy, egg-white like mucus. This fertile CM is higher in water and electrolytes and has a lower acidity than infertile CM. Fertile CM is necessary for nourishing sperm and protecting them as they travel to fertilize an egg.
Cervical mucus changes throughout the menstrual cycle are fueled by the fluctuation in circulating estrogen within the body. Women who have hormonal imbalance may in turn have poor CM production or CM that is too thick for sperm to travel through.
Three areas a woman can focus on to help promote healthy cervical mucus production each cycle are:
- Promoting healthy estrogen levels and overall hormonal balance with herbs
- Increasing essential fatty acid (EFA) consumption
- Demulcent and bitter herbs to support mucous membrane function
There are many herbs and nutritional supplements that are very supportive of healthy CM production. The great part is that many have more than just one fertility health benefit.
Three Ways to Remedy Low CM Production with Herbs
1. Omega 6 EFAs
The omega 6 EFAs Linoleic Acid (LA) and Gamma Linolenic Acid (GLA) are both known to contract and relax smooth muscle, as well as to help control prostaglandin production to help regulate hormones and control healthy cell growth. The cells that line the cervical canal produce mucus.
- Evening Primrose Oil (from Oenothera biennis seeds): High in both LA and GLA, Evening Primrose Oil, has been and still is used by herbalists to increase fertile CM and aid in hormonal balance. If you have low CM and experience PMS, Evening Primrose Oil (EPO) is worth learning more about.
2. Demulcents
Demulcent herbs contain mucilage which protects, soothes, and heals mucous membranes.
- Shatavari root (Asparagus racemosus): This native Indian plant is mucilaginous and a warming Ayurvedic “sexual tonic”. Shatavari is used to increase secretion of sexual fluids in women (CM and arousal fluid) as well as to increase sensitivity to female genitalia.
Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra): One of the most common herbs in the U.S., Licorice rt. is demulcent, emollient (hydrating), and nutritious for mucous membranes which enhances their function. Licorice root supports healthy endocrine system and adrenal gland function, both necessary for hormonal balance. It is also known to be helpful for PMS because of its ability to impact hormone balance.
Red Clover aerial parts/blossom (Trifolium pratense): Red clover enhances circulation to the reproductive organs and is a nourishing herb. Red Clover has been shown to relieve vaginal dryness as a result of its phytoestrogenic activity and supports acid/alkaline balance in the vagina and uterus.
3. Bitters
Bitter herbs also increase circulation and stimulate the secretions of mucous membranes throughout the body.
- Dandelion leaf and root (Taraxacum officinale): Dandelion greens are bitter and stimulate mucous membrane secretion. Dandelion root supports liver detoxification and health to support hormonal balance.
Oregon Grape root (Mahonia aquifolium, nervosa): This root is a bitter that is highly supportive of liver function, hormone production, digestion and useful for menstrual cycle irregularities.
Sarsaparilla root (Smilax medica): Sarsaparilla is a bitter adaptogen, supportive of hormone production (testosterone and progesterone) production, and also reported to be useful in cases of cervical erosion or “ectropion“. Cervical erosion is a benign condition where the cells lining the cervical canal appear red, may bleed, causing spotting, or impact CM production. Cervical erosion impacts women in their fertile years and can be caused by cervical trauma or multiple births, use of oral birth control and intrauterine contraceptive devices (IUD), infections, tampon use and hormonal imbalance.
Additional Considerations to Help Improve Cervical Mucus Production
Be sure to drink lots of water every day because CM is 90% water. Sperm-friendly lubricants can also be used until adequate CM is being made by the body.
Don’t be afraid to ask your questions about CM below in the comments feature of this article. Give yourself a “stage name” if you wish. Like I said, I know it’s awkward to talk about, but you can ask our team and we’ll get you the answers.
- Alfs, M. (2003). Materia Medica. In 300 herbs: Their indications & contraindications, a materia medica & repertory, with insights from American Eclectic Medicine, Physio-medicalism, Thomsonianism, Appalachian Folk-Herbalism, Native-American plant medicine, Curanderismo, modern Western phyto (p. 95). New Brighton, MN: Old Theology Book House.
- Barton-Schuster, D. (n.d.). Shatavari: Fertility Herb from India. Retrieved from: http://natural-fertility-info.com/shatavari-fertility.html
- Cervical Cancer. (n.d.). Retrieved from: https://www.jostrust.org.uk/about-cervical-cancer
- Healy N.D., H. (2008). Personal Communication.
- Mills, S., & Bone, K. (2000). Herbal approaches to systemic dysfunctions. In Principles and practice of phytotherapy: Modern herbal medicine (p. 242). Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone.
- Klein, K. O., Janfaza, M., Wong, J. A., & Chang, R. J. (2003). Estrogen Bioactivity in Fo-Ti and Other Herbs Used for Their Estrogen-Like Effects as Determined by a Recombinant Cell Bioassay. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 88(9), 4077-4079. doi:10.1210/jc.2003-030349 Retrieved from: https://academic.oup.com/jcem/article/88/9/4077/2845682
- Rodriguez, H. (n.d.). Increase Cervical Mucous to Get Pregnant. Retrieved from: http://natural-fertility-info.com/5-natural-ways-to-increase-your-cervical-mucous.html
- Weed, S. (1985). “Before Pregnancy: Fertility promoters”. Wise woman herbal for the childbearing year (p. 2). Woodstock, New York: Ash Tree Pub.
Elizabeth Willett is the Senior Herbalist and Lead Educator at NaturalFertilityInfo.com. She holds a BS in Mass Communications (2000) from Minnesota State University, and a Master of Arts degree (MA, 2010) in Holistic Health Studies with a specialization is herbalism from St. Catherine University in St. Paul, MN. Liz has written over 200 articles on women’s fertility and brings a vast wealth of knowledge and expertise in holistic health and healing to Natural Fertility Info.com
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Hi,
I am having dry CM and like yoghurt before and during ovulation. I am increasing water intake and taking daily vitamins and supplements like Maca and Vitex. Can you kindly advise what are the foods and drinks to avoid. Thank you in advance.
Dear Jasmin,
Do consider the tips in this very guide!
Cervical mucus support may be offered by a healthy diet and supplements.
Hi
Would making a tea with all Demulcent herbs and bitter herbs benefit?
Dear Ella,
The six herbs outlined in this article could be made into a tea, sure. Consider this recipe for making your own cervical mucus infusion called Fertilibeer. It contains many of these herbs.
Enjoy!
I have lower Cervical Mucus and I was wondering if possibly drinking normal Cordial
(half or third strength) is contributing to this? Also does having a higher BMI maybe
contribute to lower CM? I have seen some large ladies with young babies so it
hasn’t stopped them getting pregnant.
Dear Flower Bud,
While drinking alcohol can cause dehydration and cervical mucus health depends on adequate levels of hydration, I have not heard of drinking a cordial in moderation contributing to low cervical mucus. Rather than this, low cervical mucus is more likely a result of hormonal imbalance, a sedentary lifestyle (both of which can be caused by being over weight), past medical procedures done on the cervix, or fertility medications. Consider also referring to our guide to the 5 natural ways to aid the body in producing healthy, fertile cervical mucus.
I am pre-menopausal and have little to no CM , which I presume is due to my falling estrogen level because of my age. Will any of the herbal remedies help with that or is there no way to fight the inevitable change? I also use a sperm friendly lubricant. Will that actually help the sperm swim up the cervical canal or is there little chance without natural CM? Thank you.
Dear Liza,
While inevitable yes, there may be hope! Consider the tips and thoughts shared in our guide to the natural ways to support fertility during perimenopause along with the suggestions in this article.
Sperm-friendly lubricant is intended to make intercourse more pleasurable and help sperm move through the female reproductive tract with ease, safely. Some are even made to match fertile cervical mucous to aid conception. Using a sperm-friendly lubricant while working to support healthy cervical mucus production while trying to conceive may increase chances.
Is there a relation between uterin lining thickness and amount of CM during ovulation? I was told a few months ago that my uterin lining was thin and have been focusing on thickening it using herbs. There was a lot of CM during my last ovulation – with the right egg white consistancy. Could this mean a thicker uterin lining also?
Dear Christina,
The herbs taken to support uterine lining thickness may have also supported healthy cervical mucus production. There is no direct correlation between uterine lining thickness and cervical mucus production to my knowledge. A common denominator although is healthy hormone balance which supports both.
Thank you for the wonderful content of this site. It has been of tremendous help, especially in the past few weeks, since I’ve been diagnosed with high FSH (13.9) and low AMH (0.96) at age 30. All of my other hormones look fine. However, I’ve been tracking my BBT and CM for the past 2 years and not even once have I noticed clear stretchy CM. Instead it is always white and “creamy”. Do you think this is a normal variation of “eggwhite” consistency or is there something not quite right? I also experience PMS about a week before my period is due, which is always very regular, and scanty blood flow.
Dear Niki,
I have read that there are variations and varying interpretations of “egg white”, but in general it is the consistency, thickness/viscosity/feel, that is more important than color. If CM is too “creamy” however, this can indicate an issue like overabundance of yeast or infection, etc. (typically there are other accompanying symptoms though like an ordor and external symptoms). Each woman’s CM will differ.
I am sorry you have been faced with these challenges!
There are natural ways to support FSH levels and fertility, and the article titled AMH, Ovarian Reserve, & Continued Follicle Production will share many as well.
Given all you are dealing with, it may be most helpful to consider working one on one with a fertility herbalist who can guide you in the right direction, in the right program for your needs. If interested, learn more about our Fertility Consultation program.