title: THE FERN REACTION OF CERVICAL MUCUS.
abstract: The fern reaction of endocervical mucus was tested in 100 non-pregnant and 200 pregnant women with a view to establishing the relationship of this fern pattern to normal ovarian cyclical changes and normal pregnancy. The fern appeared at day 7-9 of the cycle and disappeared at day 18-20. Twenty-eight of 100 pregnancies before 10 weeks yielded positive fern reactions; two of 100 pregnancies after 10 weeks yielded positive fern reactions. In the presence of a positive fern reaction, the administration of 10 mg. of norethynodrel (Enovid) daily for seven days led to prompt withdrawal bleeding in the absence of pregnancy. With a negative fern reaction, a spontaneous period ensues within 12 days in the absence of pregnancy. Two hundred women were tested for early pregnancy on this premise; in 198, a correct diagnosis was obtained.
mesh_terms: D002582:Cervix Mucus; D005260:Female; D029624:Ferns; D006801:Humans; D008597:Menstrual Cycle; D008656:Mestranol; D009641:Norethynodrel; D010060:Ovulation; D010600:Pharmacology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011258:Pregnancy Tests
chemical_list: C008124:Infecundin; D009641:Norethynodrel; D008656:Mestranol
keywords: CERVIX MUCUS; NORETHYNODREL; OVULATION; PHARMACOLOGY; PREGNANCY; PREGNANCY TESTS