6 ways you can support your cervical health

When it comes to the topic of fertility your cervix may be an overlooked superstar. We tend to talk freely about heart health, mammograms, and trips to the dentist, but rarely do we talk about cervical health. Understanding cervical health is helpful when making informed decisions about your body. 

Here are 6 cervical health tips to help you proactively care for your well-being:

1. Know your reproductive system

Pop quiz: Where is your cervix, and what does it do? If you’re struggling to recall the answer, you’re not alone. The first step in caring for your cervical health is learning about what it is, where it is, and the important role it plays.

The cervix is a canal that connects your vagina to your uterus.¹ It plays several critical roles:

• It keeps bacteria in the vagina from entering the uterus.
• It serves as a canal for sperm to travel in toward the uterus and on to the fallopian tubes.
• It produces mucus that helps sperm move along the cervix to reach the egg.²
• It has a small opening that allows menstrual blood, traveling from the uterus, to exit via the vagina.  
• It help maintain pregnancy until labor.² When women talk about losing their mucus plug during pregnancy, they’re referring to the increase in vaginal discharge that happens when the cervix begins to dilate at the onset of labor, or even several days before.³

2. See your gynecologist regularly

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends that you see your ob-gyn at least once a year. This appointment, similar to a yearly physical exam, is a good opportunity to discuss a wide range of issues related to your gynecological and reproductive health. Yearly checkups will also ensure you receive proper cervical care.⁴

3. Get regular Pap smears and HPV tests

If you're new to Pap smears or HPV tests, don't worry—they're quick and simple. The collected cells are then sent to a lab for analysis to check for signs of cervical cancer or precancerous cells.^5,6 The HPV test looks for the human papillomavirus, which can cause cell changes that can lead to cervical cancer.⁶

Many women no longer need to get a Pap smear every year. These are the latest guidelines, according to ACOG and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):^3,7

• 21 to 29 years old: If your Pap smear result is normal, you may be able to wait three years until your next test.
• 30 to 65 years old: Talk to your ob-gyn about which option is best for you:
  • Pap smear only: If your result is normal, you may be able to wait three years until your next test.
  • HPV test only: If your result is normal, you may be able to wait five years until your next test.
  • HPV test plus Pap smear: If both results are normal, you may be able to wait five years until your next test.

Your doctor may require more frequent screenings for several reasons, including a weakened immune system and a history of cervical cancer.³

4. Consider the HPV vaccine

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 42 million people currently have an HPV infection type that causes disease, and 13 million Americans become infected each year.⁸ ACOG reports that most of the 40 different types of infections that affect the genitals are asymptomatic, which is why the virus spreads so easily.⁹ While having HPV or undergoing treatment for precancerous cells on the cervix won't impact your ability to conceive, research suggests a possible connection between HPV infection and abnormal sperm in men.^{10, 11, 12} Left untreated, HPV can cause several types of cancer, which can take years, or decades, to develop.¹³

The infections that cause most HPV cancers in young adult women have dropped 81 percent since the vaccine was first introduced in the U.S. in 2006.^14,15 And among vaccinated women, the percentage of cervical precancers caused by HPV types most often linked to cervical cancer has dropped by 40 percent.¹⁵

The CDC recommends the HPV vaccine for everyone under the age of 26.¹⁵ If you're between 27-45 years old, talk to your healthcare provider about the HPV vaccine as studies suggest it's less beneficial for adults due to a higher potential of past exposure.¹⁵

5. Know common cervical cancer symptoms

Most HPV infections go away on their own thanks to our body’s natural defenses, with only mild changes to the cervical cells. The cells then go back to normal once the HPV infection clears.¹⁶ For a small number of women, however, a high-risk HPV infection that persists can cause more severe changes to their cervical cells and, if left untreated, has been reported to lead to cervical cancer.¹⁶

While early-stage cervical cancer may be asymptomatic, advanced stages can manifest with abnormal discharge or bleeding between cycles, after sex or post menopause.¹⁷ 

If you experience these symptoms, it’s important to see your healthcare provider as soon as possible for a cervical cancer screening.

6. Pay attention to your discharge

Typically, cervical mucus changes throughout your cycle. Prior to ovulation, the mucus is thick and white. This type of mucus is sometimes referred to as “infertile cervical mucus.” Just before ovulation, the mucus becomes slippery and elastic, allowing sperm to move more easily into the uterus to the fallopian tubes.¹⁸ This mucus type is sometimes called “fertile mucus.” If you have questions about the different types of cervical mucus and what they may indicate about your ovulation cycle, talk to your doctor.

Great strides have been made to protect women’s fertility and fight HPV and cervical health issues. When it comes to your cervical health, the No. 1 thing you can do now is be proactive — and the best time to start is now.