What is the Difference Between Cervical Mucus and Arousal Fluid

The key difference between cervical mucus and arousal fluid is that cervical mucus is a type of discharge the cervix produces, and it has a mucus-like texture, while arousal fluid is a type of discharge Bartholin’s gland produces and it has a slippery texture.

Vaginal discharge is a fluid that comes from the vagina. It keeps the vagina clean, moist and protected from infection. Generally, healthy vaginal discharge is clear or white. It does not give a strong overpowering odour. Cervical mucus and arousal fluid are two types of discharges that come out of the vagina.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Cervical Mucus 
3. What is Arousal Fluid
4. Similarities – Cervical Mucus and Arousal Fluid
5. Cervical Mucus vs Arousal Fluid in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Cervical Mucus vs Arousal Fluid

What is Cervical Mucus?

Cervical mucus is a type of discharge produced by the cervix. It is a clear gel-like fluid with a mucus-like texture. This fluid will change through the menstruation cycle and also when a woman is pregnant. Cervical mucus plays a critical role in the process of conception. It can eliminate abnormal sperms and protect healthy sperms. Therefore, healthy sperms will be protected while they are travelling through the reproductive system towards eggs. Moreover, the fluid that is made from the cervix (cervical mucus) is primarily controlled by the hormone estrogen. Estrogen hormone is also responsible for the changes that take place during the menstruation cycle.

The least amount of cervical mucus is discharged post menstruation. It is almost dry. After days pass, the amount of cervical mucus gradually increases, and it turns into red, yellow or white colour. It is also a little sticky and cloudy at this period. During the process of ovulation, egg-white type cervical mucus is present. The amount of cervical mucus is also high due to the presence of a high amount of estrogen during ovulation. After ovulation, cervical mucus decline in the amount and becomes thicker.

What is Arousal Fluid?

Bartholin’s gland that located in and around the vagina and produces arousal fluid when a woman is sexually aroused or attracted. During this process, there is increased blood flow to the genitals, including vaginal walls, which causes the arousal fluid to pass through them. The purpose of arousal fluid is to lubricate the vagina in order to make it easier for penetration. The arousal fluid also reduces friction as well as skin tears. The colour of the arousal fluid is white. After sexual intercourse, it tends to disappear within an hour.

Women taking hormone replacement therapy can find that they have an increase in vaginal wetness. This is because higher estrogen levels trigger Bartholin’s gland to produce more cervical mucus. When females age, vaginal dryness increases due to low estrogen production. Therefore, there will be less arousal fluid to keep the vagina lubricated. The walls of the vagina become thinner in older women. Furthermore, vaginal dryness is extremely painful for some women.

What are the Similarities Between Cervical Mucus and Arousal Fluid?

• Cervical mucus and arousal fluid are two types of discharges that come out of the vagina.
• Both are responsible for vaginal wetness.
• They are clear or white colour discharges.
• They are extremely useful for vaginal function.
• Estrogen hormone increases the amount of both fluids.

What is the Difference Between Cervical Mucus and Arousal Fluid?

Cervical mucus is a type of discharge produced from the cervix, while arousal fluid is a type of discharge produced from Bartholin’s gland. So, this is the key difference between cervical mucus and arousal fluid. Furthermore, cervical mucus appears throughout the menstrual cycle of women, while arousal fluid appears when women are sexually aroused.

The below infographic lists the differences between cervical mucus and arousal fluid in tabular form for side by side comparison.

Summary – Cervical Mucus vs Arousal Fluid

Cervical mucus and arousal fluid are two types of discharges that come out of the vagina. Cervix produces the cervical mucus, and it has a mucus-like texture. Bartholin’s gland produces the arousal fluid, and it has a slippery texture. Thus, this is the summary of the difference between cervical mucus and arousal fluid.

Reference:

1. Chertoff, Jane. “Cervical Mucus: Stages, during Ovulation, Tracking, and More.” Healthline, Healthline Media, 8 Mar. 2019.
2. “Difference between Discharge and Arousal Fluid.” Viva Differences, 21 Nov. 2020.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Fertile Cervical Mucus 2014-01-11 00-07″ By User:Almondineverything – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Female anatomy with g-spot-en” By Tsaitgaist – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia