Self-identification of the clinical fertile window and the ovulation period.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the sensitivity and specificity of the self-identified fertile window.


METHODS
Observational study.


METHODS
Not applicable.


METHODS
A total of 107 women.


METHODS
Women recorded cervical mucus observation and basal body temperature daily while undergoing daily ovarian ultrasound.


METHODS
The biological fertile window, defined as the 6 days up to and including the day of ovulation; and the 2-day ovulation window, defined as the day before and the day of ovulation.


RESULTS
The self-identification of the biological fertile window by the observation of any type of cervical mucus provides 100% sensitivity but poor specificity, yielding a clinical fertile window of 11 days. However, the identification of the biological fertile window by peak mucus (defined as clear, slippery, or stretchy mucus related to estrogen) yielded 96% sensitivity and improved specificity. The appearance of the peak mucus preceded the biological fertile window in less than 10% of the cycles. Likewise, this type of mucus identified the ovulation window with 88% sensitivity.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that, when perceived accurately, more accurate clinical self-detection of the fertile window can be obtained by identification of peak mucus. This may improve efforts to focus intercourse in the fertile phase for couples with fertility concerns.
Service de Biostatistique, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, France; Université de Lyon, Lyon, France; Université Lyon 1, Villeurbanne, France; Equipe Biostatistique-Santé, Laboratoire de Biométrie et Biologie Evolutive, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Unité Mixte de Recherche 5558, Villeurbanne, France. Electronic address: rene.ecochard@chu-lyon.fr.
Rene
R
Ecochard
Service de Biostatistique, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, France; Université de Lyon, Lyon, France; Université Lyon 1, Villeurbanne, France; Equipe Biostatistique-Santé, Laboratoire de Biométrie et Biologie Evolutive, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Unité Mixte de Recherche 5558, Villeurbanne, France.
Olivia
O
Duterque
C. T. Lamont Primary Health Care Research Centre, Bruyère Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; Department of Family Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
Rene
R
Leiva
Department of Family Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
Thomas
T
Bouchard
Reproductive Health Research Institute, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
Pilar
P
Vigil
D001833:Body Temperature Regulation; D002582:Cervix Mucus / Q000378:metabolism; D005060:Europe; D005260:Female; D046910:Fertile Period; D005298:Fertility; D006801:Humans; D010053:Ovary / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology*; D010060:Ovulation; D010061:Ovulation Detection / Q000379:methods*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012648:Self Care; D013997:Time Factors; D014463:Ultrasonography
Fertile window; cervical mucus; fertility awareness methods; menstrual cycle; ovulation