Abstract:STUDY QUESTION
What is the normal range of cervical mucus patterns and number of days with high or moderate day-specific probability of pregnancy (if intercourse occurs on a specific day) based on cervical mucus secretion, in women without known subfertility, and how are these patterns related to parity and age?
SUMMARY ANSWER
The mean days of peak type (estrogenic) mucus per cycle was 6.4, the mean number of potentially fert… Show more
“…Ovulation only occurs on 1 day in each cycle and the ovum or ova will survive <12–24 h if not fertilized ( 7 , 25 ). Type E cervical fluid produced under the influence of estradiol in the peri-ovulatory period is critical for the effective transport, nurturing and survival of sperm ( 22 , 23 , 26 ). The last day of fertile type E cervical fluid, designated the mucus peak day, is a good external marker, as ovulation occurs within 2–3 days of the mucus peak day 87–98% of the time ( 23 , 26 , 27 ).…”
“…For example, hypothalamic disorders due to excessive exercise, disordered eating or stress may result in hypoestrogenic, anovulatory cycles and/or prolonged periods of amenorrhea ( 7 , 13 ). Variations or changes in symptoms or parameters that women can observe through FABM charting are listed in Table 2 , together with conditions that may underlie each of the patterns ( 26 , 36 – 56 ). Two of these conditions, polycystic ovarian syndrome, and endometriosis, are each present in at least 10% of all women of reproductive age, and are among the most common underlying causes of subfertility ( 48 , 57 – 59 ).…”
Section: Fabms For Women's Healthmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…This window of time, defined as the fertile window, usually begins about 5 days prior to ovulation, and ends within 12–24 h after ovulation ( 22 , 61 , 62 ). When the fertile window is estimated by cervical fluid and other biomarkers, it is usually varies from 1 day (in some subfertile populations) to more than 6 days long ( 26 , 44 , 61 – 65 ). In couples without subfertility, the highest probability of pregnancy per cycle is ~20–40%, depending on the characteristics of the population, including age and parity.…”
BackgroundFertility awareness-based methods (FABMs) educate about reproductive health and enable tracking and interpretation of physical signs, such as cervical fluid secretions and basal body temperature, which reflect the hormonal changes women experience on a cyclical basis during the years of ovarian activity. Some methods measure relevant hormone levels directly. Most FABMs allow women to identify ovulation and track this “vital sign” of the menstrual or female reproductive cycle, through daily observations recorded on cycle charts (paper or electronic).ApplicationsPhysicians can use the information from FABM charts to guide the diagnosis and management of medical conditions and to support or restore healthy function of the reproductive and endocrine systems, using a restorative reproductive medical (RRM) approach. FABMs can also be used by couples to achieve or avoid pregnancy and may be most effective when taught by a trained instructor.ChallengesInformation about individual FABMs is rarely provided in medical education. Outdated information is widespread both in training programs and in the public sphere. Obtaining accurate information about FABMs is further complicated by the numerous period tracking or fertility apps available, because very few of these apps have evidence to support their effectiveness for identifying the fertile window, for achieving or preventing pregnancy.ConclusionsThis article provides an overview of different types of FABMs with a published evidence base, apps and resources for learning and using FABMs, the role FABMs can play in medical evaluation and management, and the effectiveness of FABMs for family planning, both to achieve or to avoid pregnancy.
“…Ovulation only occurs on 1 day in each cycle and the ovum or ova will survive <12–24 h if not fertilized ( 7 , 25 ). Type E cervical fluid produced under the influence of estradiol in the peri-ovulatory period is critical for the effective transport, nurturing and survival of sperm ( 22 , 23 , 26 ). The last day of fertile type E cervical fluid, designated the mucus peak day, is a good external marker, as ovulation occurs within 2–3 days of the mucus peak day 87–98% of the time ( 23 , 26 , 27 ).…”
“…For example, hypothalamic disorders due to excessive exercise, disordered eating or stress may result in hypoestrogenic, anovulatory cycles and/or prolonged periods of amenorrhea ( 7 , 13 ). Variations or changes in symptoms or parameters that women can observe through FABM charting are listed in Table 2 , together with conditions that may underlie each of the patterns ( 26 , 36 – 56 ). Two of these conditions, polycystic ovarian syndrome, and endometriosis, are each present in at least 10% of all women of reproductive age, and are among the most common underlying causes of subfertility ( 48 , 57 – 59 ).…”
Section: Fabms For Women's Healthmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…This window of time, defined as the fertile window, usually begins about 5 days prior to ovulation, and ends within 12–24 h after ovulation ( 22 , 61 , 62 ). When the fertile window is estimated by cervical fluid and other biomarkers, it is usually varies from 1 day (in some subfertile populations) to more than 6 days long ( 26 , 44 , 61 – 65 ). In couples without subfertility, the highest probability of pregnancy per cycle is ~20–40%, depending on the characteristics of the population, including age and parity.…”
BackgroundFertility awareness-based methods (FABMs) educate about reproductive health and enable tracking and interpretation of physical signs, such as cervical fluid secretions and basal body temperature, which reflect the hormonal changes women experience on a cyclical basis during the years of ovarian activity. Some methods measure relevant hormone levels directly. Most FABMs allow women to identify ovulation and track this “vital sign” of the menstrual or female reproductive cycle, through daily observations recorded on cycle charts (paper or electronic).ApplicationsPhysicians can use the information from FABM charts to guide the diagnosis and management of medical conditions and to support or restore healthy function of the reproductive and endocrine systems, using a restorative reproductive medical (RRM) approach. FABMs can also be used by couples to achieve or avoid pregnancy and may be most effective when taught by a trained instructor.ChallengesInformation about individual FABMs is rarely provided in medical education. Outdated information is widespread both in training programs and in the public sphere. Obtaining accurate information about FABMs is further complicated by the numerous period tracking or fertility apps available, because very few of these apps have evidence to support their effectiveness for identifying the fertile window, for achieving or preventing pregnancy.ConclusionsThis article provides an overview of different types of FABMs with a published evidence base, apps and resources for learning and using FABMs, the role FABMs can play in medical evaluation and management, and the effectiveness of FABMs for family planning, both to achieve or to avoid pregnancy.
“…Mucus in the FGT is distinct from other sites in its cyclic variation with changes in reproductive hormones. There are clear links between properties of cervical mucus and reproductive health outcomes, however, our understanding of specific pathways by which mucus characteristics influence reproductive health remains limited ( Curlin and Bursac, 2013 ; Nunn et al., 2015 ; Smith-Dupont et al., 2017 ; Fernandez-Hermida et al., 2018 ; Hoang et al., 2020 ; Lacroix et al., 2020 ; Najmabadi et al., 2021 ).…”
At mucosal surfaces throughout the body mucus and mucins regulate interactions between epithelia and both commensal and pathogenic bacteria. Although the microbes in the female genital tract have been linked to multiple reproductive health outcomes, the role of cervicovaginal mucus in regulating genital tract microbes is largely unexplored. Mucus-microbe interactions could support the predominance of specific bacterial species and, conversely, commensal bacteria can influence mucus properties and its influence on reproductive health. Herein, we discuss the current evidence for both synergistic and antagonistic interactions between cervicovaginal mucus and the female genital tract microbiome, and how an improved understanding of these relationships could significantly improve women’s health.
“…With the Billings method, cervical mucus is observed for changes in color, texture, and volume throughout the menstrual cycle [3], while the calendar method involves tracking the menstrual cycle and manually working out which days are most and least fertile. Marston and Church [4] are of the view that this method is not effective.…”
Background: According to worldwide estimates, some 600,000 women die each year of pregnancy-related causes, and another 75,000 die following unsafe abortions. At least 200,000 of these maternal deaths are attributable to the failure or lack of contraceptive services. Naturopathic birth control methods have been proven to be a safe and effective way to prevent unwanted pregnancies
Aim: this study aimed to examine the use of naturopathic birth control methods and to explore the perceived reliability and perceived sustainability of naturopathic birth control methods among adults.
Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive survey design was used. Adults in the Ningo-Prampram Municipality were randomly sampled to select 100 respondents, who were then administered with the structured questionnaire. Data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 24. Results were presented using descriptive metrics.
Results: Majority of the respondents (39.6%) strongly agree to the use of naturopathic birth control methods 12 months. 34.1% strongly agreed as against 2.2% who strongly disagreed to the reliability of naturopathic birth control methods. 38.5 showed agreement as against 19.8% showing disagreement on the reliability of naturopathic birth control methods. 49.5% agreeing strongly to its sustainability, as against 3.3% disagreeing strongly.
Conclusion: It is indicative that given the benefits of naturopathic birth control methods, more adults are in strong agreement of its usage, reliability and sustainability, since it presents the user with no later life health issues such as infertility and complications in parturition. It is therefore important that, the issues of Sexually Transmitted infections (STIs) are addressed with abstinence and or fidelity with one sexual partner.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.