Hostile cervical mucus is cervical mucus that prevents fertilization of an egg by limiting the free movement of sperm or killing them, preventing the sperm from successfully reaching the egg. It is a possible cause of infertility and can also sometimes develop as a side effect of fertility drugs. There are methods available to treat hostile cervical mucus to give a couple a chance to try to conceive on their own before resorting to other options.
There are several reasons why cervical mucus can be considered "hostile". It is usually too thick for successful fertilization. Normally, cervical mucus during the optimal days in a woman's menstrual cycle to conceive is thin, facilitating easy movement of sperm toward the egg. When it's thick and sticky, sperm have a hard time navigating; It is like paddling a stream of molasses instead of a clear river.
Hostile cervical mucus can also be highly acidic. If the pH balance of the cervical mucus is off, the sperm cannot survive. Rarely, women have anti-sperm antibodies in their mucus, white blood cells that identify sperm as hostile invaders and kill them in an attempt to protect the body. Mucus tests can reveal the presence of high-acid or antisperm antibodies and can also be used to assess mucus thickness and other qualities.
A doctor may have some specific recommendations for helping a patient with hostile cervical mucus, based on the doctor's experience and the patient's history. Sometimes simply making dietary changes can address unfriendly cervical mucus. Cutting out dairy products and drinking plenty of fluids can help. People can experience success with herbal supplements, such as evening primrose oil, designed to promote the development of healthy cervical mucus. Some companies make products specifically designed to treat hostile cervical mucus. Women can also talk to their doctors about adjusting medications, as sometimes cervical mucus changes are caused by medications a woman is taking and medications may be changed or temporarily stopped while a woman is trying to conceive. .
If treatment attempts for hostile cervical mucus don't work, women can discuss their next options with their doctors. It is entirely possible to have fairly healthy and viable eggs while cervical mucus inhibits conception, and the use of IVF can result in a healthy, low-risk pregnancy. In other cases, women may have other complications that make it difficult to conceive. A complete evaluation can help a doctor gather information to use in formulating treatment recommendations.