The Benefit of Tracking Cervical Mucus Biomarkers

For many years after menarche (my very first period), I only knew that it was important to have a regular period because my doctor would ask “do you have regular periods?”. If I answered yes, there was no further discussion and we moved on to the next body system. It wasn’t until young adulthood that I realized I was missing the mark on managing my health. I found out about FEMM and tracking cervical mucus biomarkers in my early twenties. I felt as if a veil had been lifted from my eyes and I could finally see my body with a clearer lens (read the blog post The Ideal Women’s Health Doctor-Patient Relationship to find out more about my story). The most important thing I learned that changed the trajectory of how I saw myself as a woman was recognizing the difference between tracking my period and tracking my cycle/cervical mucus biomarkers.

“The most important thing I learned that changed the trajectory of how I saw myself as a woman was recognizing the difference between tracking my period and tracking my cycle/cervical mucus biomarkers.”

Research is widely variable on the percentage of women who track their cycles. One study published by the NIH (National Institute of Health) indicated that an estimated 29% of women track their period, although it had no information about how many women track their cycles. Although the research is widely variable, I make the supposition that more women track their period alone than women who track cervical mucus biomarkers. I draw this hypothesis from research indicating that 2.2% of women use FABM’s (fertility based awareness methods) as a form of contraception. This statistic specifically refers to FABMs used for contraception; there is little to no research on the percentage of women who track their cycles/cervical mucus biomarkers solely for health purposes. This could be, in part, because women are not taught about the importance of cervical fluid and what it indicates about their overall health and wellbeing.

“There is little to no research on the percentage of women who track their cycles/cervical mucus biomarkers solely for health purposes. This could be, in part, because women are not taught about the importance of cervical fluid and what it indicates about their overall health and wellbeing.”

So, with all of that to say, what are the benefits of tracking your cycle for health purposes? FEMM (Fertility Education and Medical Management) sates “Most of us associate the word “ovulation” with pregnancy. But it’s much more than a marker of fertility. Ovulation signals that all the hormones in a woman’s body are working as they should. It’s a key marker of a woman’s overall health” (FEMM, 2017). By tracking cervical mucus biomarkers, women are able to identify if ovulation has potentially occurred. As I detailed in my post Estrogen and Progesterone’s Effect on Overall Health, women’s reproductive hormones are associated with health and wellbeing through their connection to other body systems. For example, thyroid and adrenal glands need to work properly for ovulation to occur. Glucose and insulin levels also need to be well regulated for ovulation to occur. In addition, the liver and gallbladder need to function properly for excess hormones to be excreted from the body. The systems of the body communicate with each other; when one system isn’t functioning properly, another system attempts to compensate. This usually comes at a cost. This “cost” can be appear as negative symptoms associated with menstrual cycles in females.

“The systems of the body communicate with each other; when one system isn’t functioning properly, another system attempts to compensate. This usually comes at a cost.”

In addition to charting cervical mucus biomarkers as an indicator for physical health, an article posted by Natural Womanhood indicates that charting can be beneficial for mental health as well. Progesterone is a hormone that plays a role in regulating sleep and relaxation. Higher levels of progesterone decrease anxiety, whereas low levels could contribute to higher levels of anxiety. Progesterone increases endorphin levels which, in simple terms, decreases pain and increases happiness.

A trained fertility awareness educator can help women identify hormonal imbalances and refer them to FABM trained medical providers. For example, “tail end brown bleeding” or brown bleeding that occurs three or more days at the end of menstruation, can be an indicator of low progesterone. PMS symptoms such as irritability, mood swings/increased lability/crying easily/etc., intense cravings, fatigue, insomnia, pelvic pain, and/or headache can also be a result of low progesterone. These are things a FABM trained educator can identify.

“Simply by charting your biomarker observations as you typically would, and through working with a FABM instructor, you can spot any hormonal changes that coincide with changes in your mood (Natural Womanhood, 2020).”

There is a deep need for further research in this area of women’s health. Every woman deserves cycle education (not just period education!). I can’t wait to see a generation rise up against the current culture of destructive women’s healthcare. If you’ve been frustrated in your own journey, you’re not alone. Reach out to a FABM instructor and empower yourself through education!

References:

“Ovulation a Sign of Health .” FEMM Health, 22 May 2025, femmhealth.org/blog/ovulation-is-a-sign-of-health/.

Julia Hogan-Werner, LCPC. “The Benefits of Charting for Your Mental Health.” Natural Womanhood, 19 May 2024, naturalwomanhood.org/the-benefits-of-charting-for-your-mental-health-anxiety-depression-fertility-awareness-2020/.

Allison Jung, PA. “Progesterone Deficiency: How Too Little Progesterone Can Mean Big Problems.” Natural Womanhood, 19 May 2024, naturalwomanhood.org/low-progesterone-is-a-big-problem-pms-pmdd-infertility-miscarriage-postpartum-depression-2020/.

Polis, Chelsea, and Rachel K. Jones. “Multiple Contraceptive Method Use and Prevalence of Fertility Awareness Based Method Use in the United States, 2013–2015.” Guttmacher Institute, 25 Aug. 2022, www.guttmacher.org/article/2018/04/multiple-contraceptive-method-use-and-prevalence-fertility-awareness-based-method#:~:text=Conclusions,and%20counsel%20about%20these%20methods.