Cervix positions: What they mean and how to check your cervix

What (and where) is your cervix?

First things first: if you’ve never really thought about your cervix before — and many of us haven’t — you might not even know where to find it. 

To help explain, let’s examine the root of the word. The Latin for cervix is cervix uteri, meaning “the womb’s neck.” Your cervix is a muscular organ located at the base of the uterus, connecting your vagina to your uterus. It’s round with a small hole in the middle, which makes it look a little like a donut or a small fleshy O. Usually, it is around an inch (or two and a half centimeters) in diameter, and its location can change depending on where you are in your menstrual cycle.

What is the purpose of your cervix?

Your cervix might seem like a mysterious part of your anatomy, but it plays an essential role in your reproductive health. Basically, it’s like a dynamic doorway at the entrance of your uterus, letting menstrual blood exit, helping sperm cells to enter during ovulation, and acting as a barrier against infection. But that’s not all it does — it also supports a healthy pregnancy and delivery [1,2].

Your cervix has many vital functions — let’s dive deeper to see what they include.

• Produces cervical mucus: That acts as a protective barrier, keeping bacteria and pathogens from entering the uterus. For most of the menstrual cycle, the mucus is thick and the cervix stays closed and firm, providing extra defense.
• Passage for sperm: Around ovulation, cervical mucus becomes thinner and slippery to help sperm travel into the uterus for fertilization. The cervix also softens and opens slightly to make it easier for sperm to enter.
• Protects during pregnancy: During pregnancy, cervical mucus thickens to form a mucus plug, which seals the cervix tightly and shields the growing baby from infections.
• Pathway for birth: As delivery approaches, the cervix softens, shortens, and eventually opens to create a passage for the baby to pass through the birth canal.
• Adapts during menstruation: During your period, the cervix lowers, becomes firmer, and its opening widens slightly to allow menstrual blood and fluids to flow out of the uterus.

Why does your cervix change positions?

Changes in your cervix position are related to the different phases of your menstrual cycle, as well as hormonal changes that are, for example, caused by pregnancy.

Tuning into the position and texture of your cervix can help you better understand where you are in your cycle, which can be useful if you’re tracking your ovulation, trying to conceive, or just want to get to know your body better [3].

How to check your cervix position

Before we dive into the different cervix positions that happen during your cycle, it’s important to know how to find your cervix. 

It’s safe to check your cervix at home using just your fingers, although not everyone is able to do so. If you have a long vaginal canal, then you might not be able to reach it. Similarly, if you’re ovulating, then your cervix will be a little higher than usual. But you never know if you can feel the cervix until you try, so here’s your step-by-step guide to checking your cervix.

1. Wash your hands very well. This is super important, as you don’t want to introduce any nasty bacteria. If you have a yeast infection or UTI, you should wait until it clears up before checking your cervix.
2. Find a comfortable position. For most people, this is a similar position to how you might insert a tampon or menstrual cup, such as sitting on the toilet, squatting, or standing with one leg on the edge of the toilet or bathtub.
3. Slide your index or middle finger inside your vagina as far as you can reach in an upward motion. Aim up and back, in the same direction as you’d put a tampon in.
4. Find your cervix! Your vagina should feel soft and spongy, but your cervix is firmer. It should be fairly easy to find your cervix if you’re not ovulating.
5. Take note of how it feels. You might want to record the answers to the following questions to help you keep track of your cervix position day to day:

• • Does it feel soft or firm? It should feel softest when you’re at your most fertile. Some people compare the feeling of a soft, fertile cervix to lips, while if you’re not ovulating, it might feel more like the hard tip of your nose.
  • What position is it in? We’ll come to what the different positions mean in a moment.
  • Is it open or closed? Your cervix will open slightly before ovulation and again during menstruation. Don’t worry if it always feels open. If you’ve given birth or lost a pregnancy, your cervix may never fully close.

It can take a bit of practice to find your cervix. The first few times, you might want to try when you’re not ovulating. It’s easier to find then, and you’ll get a better idea of what you’re looking for.

You should avoid checking your cervix after sex, as it can move depending on your level of sexual arousal, so it won’t give you an accurate picture. It’s best to get into the habit of checking it at the same time every day, using the same position.

Cervix positions during your cycle

So, what are the different positions your cervix moves into throughout your cycle, and what can it tell you?

Cervix position when ovulating

When you’re ovulating, your estrogen levels rise, causing your uterine lining to thicken. This makes your cervix feel softer. It also starts to change position, rising to the top of your vagina.

Having a “high cervix” simply means that your cervix naturally sits higher in the vagina. A high cervix should not affect your ability to get pregnant. Cervical height and position are unique to each person — and can even change during your cycle. 

You may also notice increased amounts of cervical mucus coming from your cervix and vagina during ovulation. This cervical mucus promotes sperm survival and can be a helpful indicator when you’re trying to identify your fertile window. If you’re using Natural Cycles to plan or prevent pregnancy, it’s also possible to track cervical mucus with the NC° app. 

Cervix position after ovulation

The luteal phase is the second stage of your cycle, coming after ovulation and before your period starts. During this time, your cervix will begin to move back down, or “drop,” as it is commonly referred to. On average, the cervix tends to drop a week to 10 days before menstruation, but this can vary from person to person. In the days leading up to your period, when your cervix drops lower in your vagina, this might make it easier to feel your cervix position. 

Along with this drop in position, you may notice other changes in your body around the same time. For example, your cervix will feel a little harder, and your cervical mucus will start to thicken. Rather than being thin and watery, it’ll be stickier and may appear cloudy.

Cervix position during your period

Ever wonder why your cervix is so low during your period? At this phase, your cervix remains low and slightly open to let your menstrual blood flow out. During your period, your cervix will feel firm to touch, and it will continue to stay hard and low after your period ends. 

How to check your cervix position for early pregnancy

If you’re pregnant, your cervix will remain higher in the vagina, in a position that’s similar to when you ovulate. How it feels to the touch will also change in early pregnancy. This is due to increased blood flow, which makes the cervix feel softer, like the surface of lips. The opening of your cervix will stay closed for the duration of your pregnancy until you’re ready to give birth. When people talk about dilation in the labor room, it’s the cervix they’re referring to — and it can stretch as wide as four inches or 10 centimeters for childbirth!

If you’re trying to conceive, you may want to familiarize yourself with your cervical patterns to help you connect with your body and increase your chances of identifying your fertile window. Feeling for subtle cervical changes can offer clues to whether you are in the early stage of pregnancy, but it is not a guarantee in determining if you’ve conceived [4]. Cervical changes will occur at different stages for different people — and can be open to interpretation, so the best way to confirm pregnancy is with a test. Read our article about the best time to take a pregnancy test to learn more.

How to check your cervix position during late pregnancy

Your cervix remains high and closed until it’s nearly time to give birth. Late in the third trimester, your baby’s position drops, putting pressure on your cervix. This may cause your cervix to thin out or stretch (efface) and open (dilate) as labor nears. 

Effacement and cervical dilation

Effacement and cervical dilation play critical roles in signaling labor readiness and facilitating birth. As your due date nears, effacement and cervical dilation help to prepare your body for a vaginal delivery [5]. 

• Effacement is the gradual thinning of the cervix. In preparation for childbirth, your cervix will soften, thin out, and shorten to open the vaginal canal allowing the baby to pass through.

• Cervical dilation means that the cervix opens. Dilation is different from person to person — and not always a sign that you’re going into labor. You can be dilated a few centimeters during the last weeks of pregnancy without being in active labor. Or you may experience cervical dilation quickly, going from zero to 10 centimeters on the day that you deliver. 

During late pregnancy, your cervix may also start to change position. If you have a posterior cervix, it’ll tilt towards your back, while an anterior cervix tilts towards your front. For women with posterior tilts, the cervix should start to work towards an anterior position around week 37 or 38 of your pregnancy. This is a sign that your body is getting ready for birth, and it’s one of the things your doctor will keep an eye out for as you approach labor.

Common tests to check the health of your cervix 

Just like other parts of your body, your cervix needs a little love and regular check-ups to stay healthy. Most healthcare practitioners recommend annual screenings and pelvic exams, though how often you should seek care from your doctor depends on where you live. In some places, self-tests are becoming the standard, making it easier to test in the comfort of your home. 

How to maintain your cervical health

Maintaining your cervical health helps prevent cervical cancer and infections, and helps ensure your reproductive system stays healthy and functions just the way it should. Aside from HPV self-collection for cervical cancer screening, here are some common tests for maintaining your cervical health: 

• The Pap smear: A quick test where your doctor collects a small sample of cells from your cervix to check for abnormalities and signs of cervical (pre)cancer. These tests usually become an essential and routine part of health check-ups beginning at the age of 21.
• The HPV test: Checks for high-risk types of human papillomavirus (HPV), a virus that can sometimes lead to cervical cancer. This test is often done with a Pap smear, and many people now have the option to do HPV self-collection [6] at home — ask your doctor if it’s right for you. 
• Pelvic exam: During this exam, your doctor checks your cervix and nearby areas to spot any unusual changes, like growths or inflammation.
• Colposcopy: If your Pap smear or HPV test shows something unusual, your doctor may want to examine your cervix more closely with a magnifying instrument. If needed, they can take a tiny tissue sample (biopsy) for further testing.

Remember, early detection is key to cervical health. Whether you visit your healthcare clinic or test at home, staying up-to-date on your screenings and discussing any concerns with your doctor can help keep your cervix healthy for years to come!  

Tips to keep your cervix healthy

So, you’ve been diligent about scheduling your routine check-ups, but want to find ways to care for and support your cervical health in between visits. That’s a great idea! Here are a few lifestyle tips to help you stay proactive and keep your cervix healthy:

• Get the HPV vaccine: It protects against the types of HPV that most commonly cause cervical cancer — greatly reducing your risk and is recommended for girls and women starting from age nine [7]. Nowadays, schools are offering these vaccines to students in around 125 countries [8] [9].
• Practice safe sex: Use condoms to provide a barrier to protect against STIs and reduce the risk of exposure to HPV.
• Skip tobacco: Smoking weakens your immune system, making it harder for your body to fight off HPV infections. Plus, studies show that tobacco use can raise your risk of cervical cancer [10].
• Stay active and eat well: Research suggests that obesity may increase the risk of cervical cancer [11]. Maintaining a healthy weight and eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains provides antioxidants to support a healthy immune system. Plus, regular exercise reduces stress, improves sleep quality, and promotes overall wellness.

Take control of your fertility

Thanks for reading! Tracking your fertility by cervix position and cervical mucus alone isn’t always an easy task. If you’re looking for an easier way to confirm ovulation and understand your unique cycle – why not give Natural Cycles a try? It’s the only FDA Cleared birth control app powered by a temperature-based algorithm that helps you prevent and plan pregnancy naturally.