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Last Updated:
Jan 3rd, 2010 - 00:09:53
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Question
I am very confused. I was brought into a discussion the other afternoon with a doctor that says you can not pin point ovulation effectively by watching cervical mucus. She says taking my wife's daily temperature is more effective and the second best reading next to a blood test. Is this true?
George
Answer
Dear George,
Research done around the world in Centers dedicated to improving Natural Family Planning methods have proven there is a very close correlation between the "Peak" mucus day and Ovulation. After ovulation there will be a temperature rise which is in response to the production of the predominant post ovulatory hormone Progesterone. Unfortunately, medical schools do not provide education about Natural Family Planning except to lump all methods under the heading of the "Rhythm Method" or "Temperature Method". The bi-phasic temperature elevation certainly is helpful. However, some women find it diffiuclt to always take their temperature at the same time every morning because of changes in work schedules. Of course there won't be a temperature rise when a woman is not ovulating. Breast Feeding is a good example. Premenopause is another time when a woman may not ovulate regularly, so there won't be temperature changes. Unusual stress delays ovulation, so in a stress cycle the temperature rise will be delayed also. There are other considerations as well. There can be an "ovulatory event", an egg is released, but under certain circumstances it my not be a "healthy ovulation". Progesterone levels my then be low and there will not be a clear, sustained temperature rise.
Dear George,
The most accurate way to "pinpoint" ovulation is serial ultrasound starting on the day estimated to be Peak minus 5. This requires mucus observations for two or three cycles so the woman knows how long her mucus cycle usually lasts. When there is a mature follicle observed by ultrasound on one day and a collapsed follicle the next day, the doctor, the ultrasound tech, and the woman knows ovulation occurred in the last 24 hours. Even blood tests won't pinpoint ovulation closer than that!
Pat Poindexter, RN, CFCP, CFCE
Pat Poindexter, RN, BS, CFCP, FCE has taught NFP for 23 years, the first 15 as a Billings Instructor, and the last 8 as a Fertility Care Practitioner.
She is a Fertility Care Educator, training other NFP Practitioners, and is an RN in radiation oncology.
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and is not a substitute for medical diagnosis and treatment by a physician.
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