I bet you didn’t know that January is Cervical Health Awareness Month (honestly, I didn’t either until recently, so I'm getting this information to you just under the wire!). You probably don’t spend too much time wondering about the health of your cervix. Let’s face it, other than your annual checkup and how far you’re dilated when you’re in labor, your cervix doesn’t come up for discussion too often. But, if you want to have children someday or you’re actively trying to conceive now, you need to be aware that cervical problems can affect fertility.

For example, did you know that cervical mucus can be “hostile”? Granted, it’s an over-the-top name, but it’s actually pretty accurate. Cervical mucus is vital in helping sperm travel from the vagina into the uterus, and it can be negatively affected by infection or past trauma such as procedures/surgeries to the cervix. Since some infections and most cervical trauma are completely asymptomatic, you may not even know there’s a problem until you have trouble getting pregnant.

You also can run into problems with recurrent miscarriage because of an incompetent cervix. If your cervix is too weak to support your growing uterus, miscarriage or premature labor and delivery can occur – a heartbreaking and frustrating outcome, especially if you’ve already struggled with infertility.

Additionally, your cervix may be compromised because you are a “DES daughter.” What’s that? From 1941 to 1972, many women were prescribed a drug called diethylstilbestrol (DES) to prevent miscarriage. Unfortunately, what the medical establishment realized was that DES was detrimental to both mother and child, increasing the risk of breast cancer in the mom and causing abnormalities in the reproductive systems of the babies. “DES daughters” – offspring of the women who took DES – face an increased risk of clear cell adenocarcinoma (CCA) of the vagina and cervix (although it’s still very rare), as well as reproductive tract structural differences that may cause infertility and/or difficulties with pregnancy. The youngest of the "DES daughters," however, are now 38, so this will eventually become a non-issue as these women move out of their childbearing years.

What can you do to reduce the odds that a cervical issue will cause infertility? Early detection is key, so make sure you have an annual checkup with your OB/GYN, and don’t let embarrassment hold you back from being open with your doctor about your health. Talk about any concerns you have or issues you suspect with your doctor – make sure you give them all the tools they need to help you protect your fertility and be as healthy as possible. If you need more information, check out the National Cervical Cancer public education campaign or the National Cervical Cancer Coalition. Or, I am always available to answer any questions or concerns you may have – email me at esimckes@fertilitypartnership.com or call me at 800.BabyToday.