[Self-examination of cervical mucus to determine the fertile period]

24 women, of whom 2 each presented with primary and secondary infertility, were taught to observe their cervical mucus secretions outside the vulva. The correlation between the sensation, presence, and aspect of the mucus and the quantity of estrone and estradiol excreted in the urine were determined for each day of the cycle. The women were aged 24-39 years and had 0-7 children, with an average of 2.3. 2 women kept incomplete records and 2 had anovulatory cycles, leaving 20 in the sample. All 20 noted at least 1 day of fertile type mucus. 11 women noted 3 or fewer days which corresponded to the estrogenic peak. 4 of the women who noted more than 3 days of fertile type mucus identified 1-3 days of maximum wetness, bringing to 15 the number of favorable cases. In 4 cases the women observed fertile type mucus outside the estrogenic peak. In 14 cases the fertile type mucus was preceded by 1 or more days of thick mucus. It is hoped that this method will be of use in the treatment of infertility.