The involvement of the human cervix in reproduction and sex

Abstract

The cervix is involved in a number of well-characterised and important reproductive mechanisms viz secretion of mucus, storage, protection and selection of spermatozoa. More controversial are its putative roles in various sexual arousal and arousing mechanisms. These include a secretory response to sexual arousal, specific movements and motility during arousal, coitus and at orgasm, whether its coital stimulation by penile buffeting creates, enhances or influences sexual arousal per se and its leukocytic reaction to spermatozoa. Surprisingly, despite numerous studies, definitive answers to these latter putative functions are still lacking.

Keywords:

• cervix
• cervical mucus secretions
• leukocytic reaction
• vaginal tenting
• sperm transport
• orgasm
• capacitation
• uterine orgasmic contractions
• cervico-vaginal inhibitory reflex