Ovulation Calendars and
the Follicular Phase

Ovulation calendars are important in charting the follicular phase because this yin phase is paramount in laying the critical foundation for the rest of the cycle. Ideally, the follicular phase would be a fairly flat line, without any major temperature fluctuations. Getting sufficient sleep, calming the mind and meditating are important practices in laying the groundwork for successive nourishing cycles.

To see an overview of definitions for the TCM and fertility terms used, please visit the TCM and Fertility definition page.

The follicular phase is governed by the hypothalamus and pituitary gland and since these are in the brain, mental and emotional stress can have a direct impact on this critical phase. Hence, stress can hinder the developing endometrium, the maturing follicles and the cervical mucus glands.

Stress shows up in the ovulation calendar or chart as a sawtooth pattern, with temperatures fluctuating erratically throughout the follicular phase. This is one of the reasons that charting the cycle can be helpful, as erratic temperature at this point can alert you to the impact that stress is having on your body and your fertility. In TCM, stress extinguishes yin, causing thinner endometriums, poorly nourished follicles and scanty or absent cervical mucus.

Tracking your cervical mucus will provide insight into your yin levels. The typical progression of cervical mucus after the period is dry, moist, wet, creamy, wetter, and finally stretchy like egg-whites. A 20 year old woman may have a week of wet, egg white cervical mucus, while a 40 year old woman may have just a few hours. However, a healthy 40 year old woman, who has nourished her yin and calmed her mind may have 3 solid days of wet, egg white cervical mucus.

The best time to check cervical mucus is some time in the middle of the day, when you've been vertical for a number of hours. Cervical mucus is secreted from crypts within the cervix and it needs a bit of gravity to seep out of the os of the cervix. Sitting on the toilet is an easy way to check your cervical mucus by placing your fingers in your vagina and swiping the os of the cervix to get a sample recent secretions.

Cervical mucus can be recorded with letters signifying the changes in secretions. D=dry, W=wet, C=creamy, E=eggwhite, and T=Thick.