Usefulness of the Sympto-Thermal Method with Standardized Cervical Mucus Assessment (InVivo Method) for Evaluating the Monthly Cycle in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

Abstract

(1) Background: FABMs (fertility awareness-based methods) are methods that rely on the observation of clinical signs related to fertility found in women, the so-called fertility bioindicators. They can be a valuable tool for diagnosing monthly cycle disorders and infertility, for example, among patients with PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome). Until now, it has been difficult for women with PCOS to use FABM, due to the difficulty of describing fertility bioindicators and their disorders due to the biology of the syndrome. The new InVivo sympto-thermal method with standardized cervical mucus assessment may provide a valuable diagnostic and therapeutic tool for observing the monthly cycle in this group of women. (2) Methods: The monthly cycle was evaluated in a group of 32 women of reproductive age. A total of 108 monthly cycle observation cards were analyzed: 35 monthly cycle cards were collected from 18 women with PCOS, and 73 monthly cycle cards collected from 14 healthy women. In addition, 32 pairs of macroscopic and microscopic images were evaluated: 17 pairs from the study group (four subjects) and 15 pairs from women in the control group (six subjects). (3) Results: We showed that in the group of patients with PCOS, menstruation was longer (p = 0.000814), the number of mucus peaks was statistically higher (p = 0.040747), and the interquartile range (IQR) of the duration of the follicular phase (calculated according to the BBT) was significantly higher (8 days) compared to women in the control group. We also observed that among all the women studied, the microscopic image of cervical mucus correlated with the cycle phase described in the observation card, as determined by reference to the BBT chart, provided that it showed the correct features. (4) Conclusions: Systematic maintenance of monthly cycle observation charts using the InVivo method can be an important supplement to the medical history, as it allows for a thorough assessment of, among others, the timing of monthly bleeding, cervical mucus symptoms, BBT changes, and the duration of the follicular and luteal phases among both healthy and PCOS women.