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Menstrual Cycle · Cycle Biomarkers

Ovarian ultrasonography highlights precision of symptoms of ovulation as markers of ovulation

Depares J, Ryder RE, Walker SM, Scanlon MF, Norman CM

Published June 14, 1986 British Medical Journal (Clinical Research Ed.), 292(6535), 1562
DOI 10.1136/bmj.292.6535.1562 PMID 3087519 PMC PMC1340563

RRM Academy Synopsis

Most abundant cervical mucus fell on ovulation day in 7 of 9 cycles

Most abundant fertile mucus fell on ovulation day in 7 of 9 cycles, a 1986 Cardiff study of six women trained in natural family planning found. Daily ultrasound dated ovulation for comparison with their charts. The last day of fertile mucus came on or after ovulation in all 12 dated cycles.

Key Findings

  • The study covered 15 cycles in six women. Ultrasound data from 3 cycles suggested persistent luteinized unruptured follicles. Ovulation was dated by ultrasound in the remaining 12 cycles.
  • In 9 of 12 cycles, the women marked the day of most abundant fertile type mucus (raw egg white characteristics). Ovulation fell on that day in 7 of the 9.
  • The final day of fertile type mucus came 1 or 2 days after ovulation in 8 of 12 cycles. In 4 cycles it fell on ovulation day.
  • Luteinizing hormone was measured in 11 cycles. In 9 of them a single peak value coincided with the day of ovulation.
  • The day before the basal body temperature rise matched ovulation in 8 cycles and later in the rest. Pain, when present, was the most insensitive marker, spanning two days either side.

Interpretation

This 1986 study compared charted fertility signs with ultrasound-dated ovulation. Six women who had given birth tracked mucus, temperature and pain across 15 cycles. The women and the ultrasound reader did not see each other's results. Women could mark ovulation by the day of most abundant mucus almost as well as by luteinizing hormone tests. The authors cite a World Health Organization study where over 90% of women easily spotted changing mucus patterns. The authors note that natural family planning users may not represent the general population. The findings support larger studies of mucus-based ovulation detection.

RRM Context

Cervical mucus is a key sign in fertility awareness-based methods, which track the body's own signals through the cycle. This study adds evidence that charted mucus marks ovulation closely.

Our editorial summary of this paper, not the article's abstract.

Abstract not indexed.

Topics

By this author

Related research

Menstrual Cycle › Cycle Biomarkers › Cervical Mucus · Diagnostics › Cycle Biomarkers › Ovulation Detection
PMID 3087519 3087519 DOI 10.1136/bmj.292.6535.1562 10.1136/bmj.292.6535.1562 Depares et al. 1986, Depares 1986

Keywords

Adult, Cervix Mucus/physiology, Female, Humans, Ovary/anatomy & Histology, Ovulation, Ovulation Detection/methods, Ultrasonography/methods

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