title: Detection of the fertile phase from changes in cervico-vaginal fluid volume.
abstract: Characteristic changes in cervico-vaginal fluid (CVF) volume which occur during the menstrual cycle might be used to detect the fertile phase. Twenty-five normal women were asked to withdraw CVF and measure its volume at home using a small, disposable, graduated vaginal aspirator. In 16 cycles day 0 (ovulation) was defined as the day of maximum follicular diameter according to serial ultrasound examination. A rise in CVF volume occurred between day -9 and -2 and a peak between day -4 and 0. In these sixteen, and in a further 72 cycles, day 0 (time of maximum fertility) was taken as the day of peak cervical mucus secretion. CVF volume rose, on the average, on day -6.2 (range -17 to -2) and peaked on day -0.8 (range -5 to +2). In two cycles, no rise and peak were identified. Changes in CVF volume were easy to recognise and could be useful to couples wishing to achieve pregnancy.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001831:Body Temperature; D002582:Cervix Mucus / Q000378:metabolism*; D005193:Family Planning Services; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility; D006801:Humans; D008597:Menstrual Cycle; D012252:Natural Family Planning Methods; D010061:Ovulation Detection / Q000379:methods*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D014463:Ultrasonography