Biomarkers · Cervical Mucus
Billings JJ, 1978 · P N G Med J
The only way to be sure of avoiding pregnancy is for a couple to abstain from sexual intimacy during the fertile phase of the woman's cycle. Billings showed by reference to hormonal parameters that after competent instruction in the ovulation method women can identify the fertile phase of their cycle. If abstinence during the fertile phase is replaced by coitus combined with barrier methods, the pregnancy rate will be higher. The hormonal monitoring has revealed that the Peak Symptom as defined in the ovulation method is the most accurate biological marker of the time of ovulation. The cervical mucus pattern reflects the estrogen levels during follicular ripening from its commencement, and the Peak Symptom reflects a sharp cut-off effected by the elevation of the progesterone level at the time of ovulation. This means that once the mucus begins to be observed as a warning of the approach of ovulation, the woman needs to follow the changing characteristics on a daily basis in order to be certain that she recognizes ovulation.
Biomarkers · Cervical Mucus
Billings JJ, 1978 · Med J Aust
The only way to be sure of avoiding pregnancy is for a couple to abstain from sexual intimacy during the fertile phase of the woman's cycle. Billings showed by reference to hormonal parameters that after competent instruction in the ovulation method women can identify the fertile phase of their cycle. If abstinence during the fertile phase is replaced by coitus combined with barrier methods, the pregnancy rate will be higher. The hormonal monitoring has revealed that the Peak Symptom as defined in the ovulation method is the most accurate biological marker of the time of ovulation. The cervical mucus pattern reflects the estrogen levels during follicular ripening from its commencement, and the Peak Symptom reflects a sharp cut-off effected by the elevation of the progesterone level at the time of ovulation. This means that once the mucus begins to be observed as a warning of the approach of ovulation, the woman needs to follow the changing characteristics on a daily basis in order to be certain that she recognizes ovulation.
Methods · Billings Ovulation Method
Bourdillon C, 1982 · Cent Afr J Med
Frequently, when one mentions natural family planning methods, the response is doubt, bewilderment, ridicule, or scorn. Much of this is due to the fact that many people know only of the rhythm method, which depends on a calculation based on the menstrual pattern. What many people do not know, including physicians and nurses, is that in Australia Drs. John and Lyn Billings have been scientifically researching natural methods of family planning for 25 years, and they have pioneered this Ovulation Method of family planning. The Billings Ovulation Method depends only on the mucus sign. It is based on a scientific knowledge of the combined fertility of husband and wife, and an understanding of the physiology of the female body through simple observations. Important facts relating to the practice of the method include: ovulation takes place only once in the cycle; mucus is secreted by the cervical mucosa before ovulation; the ovum lives for only 3 days at the most; and the sperms live for 5 days at the most, and only in the presence of this fertile mucus. There a 2 types of mucus. The 1st type to appear is cloudy or white. It is nonslippery, sticky, and breaks when stretched between 2 fingers. The 2nd type is like the part of a hen's egg. It is very slippery, much clearer than the former, and stretches when pulled between 2 fingers. This is fertile mucus, and ovulation occurs on the last day that this is present. Of course, it cannot be recognized as the last day until its absence is observed on the following day. The mucus sign can be both seen and felt. After a few months a woman will readily recognize her fertile time, but daily charting is advocated. Simple signs, representing the various observations, are taught. Once a couple knows and understands their combined fertility through the observation of the mucus sign they can plan their family. Rules of the method are outlined. The self control required by this method can only serve to increase the selfless love and unselfish care and respect between partners.
Biomarkers · Cervical Mucus
Clubb E, 1986 · J R Soc Health
Natural methods of family planning make use of the naturally occurring signs and symptoms of the fertile and infertile phases of the menstrual cycle. Recognizable signs and symptoms occur cyclically, and women can be taught to recognize them. Changes take place in basal body temperature, cervical mucus, and the cervix uteri. Basal body temperature rises about .2 degrees C (.4 degrees F) immediately after ovulation when the blood levels of progesterone increase. Following menstruation, cervical mucus is composed of cense cellular matter that forms an impenetrable barrier (typeG). As the cycle progresses under the influence of increasing estrogen, there is a predominance of characteristically lumpy opaque mucus (type L). A few days before ovulation, the characteristically thin slippery crystal clear stretchy mucus is produced (type S). Fertile mucus is composed of a combination of L-type and S-type mucus. Estrogen casuses changes to take place in the muscle and connective tissue of the cervix. As estrogen levels rise during the pre-ovulatory phase, the cervix softens and the cervical os opens. A woman can be aware of these changes by gently palpating the cervix with her finger tip. These signs and symptoms which reflect accurately the rise and fall of the hormones estrogen and progesterone are the basis of fertility awareness on which natural methods of family planning are based. In addition to knowing when ovulation takes place, it is also necessary to know the length of time the ovum can be fertilized after ovulation and the life span of the sperm in the female genital tract before ovulation. In fertile mucus, sperm will live an average of 3 days, but it must be understood that it is possible for sperm to survive for 5 days if conditions are right. To make allowances for sperm survuval, the fertile phase starts when follicular development begins and estrogen levels start to rise. The life span of the ovum is less than 24 hours. Natural family planning methods--including the temperature method, the ovulation method (Billings), the calandar method (rhythm), and the sympto-thermal method are explained.