Vaginal moisture and sexual arousal

You will probably agree with me that understanding the processes taking place in our body significantly improves the quality of everyday life . It is no different in this case. Observing mucus and the ability to identify individual vaginal secretions allows us to track the phases of the menstrual cycle , as well as to recognize the symptoms of an intimate infection in time .

If we didn't have the opportunity to learn it at school – it would be good to catch up.

What is cervical mucus?

Cervical mucus is a natural vaginal secretion, produced by – as the name suggests – the cervix and mixed with shed vaginal epithelial cells.

It is most often light or white in color , sometimes slightly yellow , and is generally odorless . About half to one teaspoon (2 to 5 milliliters) per day . You can often see it on the inside of your panties or toilet paper, and you can also feel it with your fingers during your daily washing.

The appearance, smell and amount of cervical mucus depend on the day of the menstrual cycle (unless you use hormonal contraception ), sometimes changes occur during the day. This is influenced by two sex hormones: estrogen and progesterone .

The closer to ovulation, the more estrogen levels increase, and thus the amount of discharge increases. You also observe a change in its consistency - it is stretchy or watery (resembling raw egg white). This type of mucus is the so-called fertile mucus - thanks to it, sperm have an easier way to your egg. On fertile days, you may also have an increased desire for sex.

Mucus resulting from sexual arousal

The mucus resulting from sexual arousal is quite similar to the fertile mucus , which occurs around ovulation .

The former can be recognized by the fact that it is more watery, transparent, and at the same time less stretchable.

Wetting is a natural physiological and psychological reaction that begins with the sexual arousal phase. When you get aroused, the blood in your veins starts to circulate faster, causing your reproductive organs to become swollen , more sensitive and more perfused (you may notice a slight redness ).

This causes the production of mucus, which settles on the walls of the vagina – hence the wetness you feel . This is how your body prepares for painless penetration.

Below I have prepared a little cheat sheet for you with factors that influence the production of mucus resulting from sexual arousal:

• hormone levels at a given point in the menstrual cycle ,
• medications, especially hormonal contraception,
• Your mood on a given day,
• level of sexual arousal,
• pregnancy,
• breastfeeding (in this case the desire for sex is often much lower than usual),
• menopause .

Important thing: sex should be pleasant, it should not hurt under any circumstances . In addition, if the vagina is not sufficiently moisturized, you can expect irritation, abrasions and damage to its walls, and this is a direct path to the development of infection .

Vaginal dryness

If you have not noticed fertile mucus and also have problems with your sexual drive, it is worth making an appointment with a doctor.

Vaginal dryness is a common complaint among people going through menopause, but not only. Symptoms of vaginal dryness are also reported by people treated with isotretinoin (for acne) and those using hormonal contraception . Unfortunately, this condition promotes abrasions and infections, which is why it is so important to talk about it with a gynecologist to choose the right therapy.

To sum up: at the beginning and end of your cycle, when your body's estrogen production decreases, you can expect mucus in smaller amounts and with a slightly different consistency (thicker) and color (white).

Are you too dry? Do you feel an unpleasant burning sensation and discomfort? Reach for an intimate gel (water-based – if you use silicone sex toys or simply prefer something more natural; silicone-based – if you need something more durable or if you play with water, such as in the shower). I keep mine in the drawer of my nightstand, so that it is always at hand. ;)

Next up: communicate your needs . Your_Your_partner may be the most wonderful person in the world, but she can't read your mind, and as we already know, your mood and level of arousal have a direct impact on the quality of your intercourse. Think about what could be the reasons for your vagina not being wet enough.

Maybe you need more time? Maybe you feel like something different would work for you than you have done so far? Or maybe you just don't feel like it today and would rather cuddle up and watch a movie together?

Talk, brainstorm, ask questions, listen and learn from each other. If the problem persists, see a specialist – that's what they're there for, after all.

We recommend reading the article on how to talk about sex with your partner .

Vaginal discharge

Okay, now you know what cervical mucus is and what affects its appearance and consistency, and you can tell the difference between it and the mucus that comes with sexual arousal. You know that fresh vaginal discharge doesn’t have a distinctive smell, although of course, if you leave it on your underwear for too long, it will naturally start to smell (and it won’t be very pleasant).

However, it still won't be the smell of vaginal discharge , a phenomenon that should immediately alarm you!

Vaginal discharge is an inappropriate vaginal discharge , you probably won't confuse it with cervical mucus. This is how your body informs you about intimate infections, most often bacterial or yeast (read about bacterial vaginosis here , about vaginal yeast infection here ). It's not worth risking your health, so be vigilant and pay special attention if your vaginal discharge:

• has an unusual color: grayish , yellowish , greenish , brownish ;
• it is definitely more abundant than usual and occurs together with other disturbing symptoms, such as swelling of the genital organs , itching , burning or redness ;
• it has changed its consistency – it has become much thicker than usual or, on the contrary, much more watery ; you should also be concerned about the consistency of cottage cheese with its characteristic lumps ;
• gives off an unpleasant odor , such as metallic or fishy .

Changes in the mucus that occur during the menstrual cycle are completely normal, both during and after sex (including solo sex). However, if you feel that this is an anomaly, make an appointment for a gynecological consultation. The doctor will be able to check what is the cause of the discharge and, if necessary, will start the appropriate treatment as soon as possible.

KN Jozkowski, D. Herbenick, V. Schick et al., Women's perceptions about lubricant use and vaginal wetness during sexual activities , "The Journal of Sexual Medicine" 2012, vol. 10, i. 2.
RJ Levin, VIP, vagina, clitoral and periurethral glans – an update on human female genital arousal , "Experimental and Clinical Endocrinology & Diabetes" 1991, vol. 98, i. 2, p. 61-69.
RJ Levin, The physiology of sexual arousal in the human female: a recreational and procreational synthesis , "Archives of Sexual Behavior" 2002, vol. 31, i. 5, p. 405-411.
Z. Pastor, Female ejaculation orgasm vs. coital incontinence: a systematic review , "The Journal of Sexual Medicine" 2013, vol. 10, i. 7, p. 1682-1691.