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Last Updated:
Jan 14th, 2012 - 18:47:15
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Question
I understand that there may be certain types of medication or prescription such as antibiotics which might mask the appearance of fertility signs- making fertility signs less noticeable. Could certain steriods such as "prednisone" create this problem as well?
Answer
Yes, there are some drugs that will alter, not mask, the cervical mucus pattern. The effects vary for each individual woman. Some tranquilizers may cause a delayed ovulation. When ovulation does occur a fertile cervical mucus pattern will be recognized. Hormones such as those present in the contraceptive pill as well as cytotoxic drugs used in cancer will prevent fertile cervical mucus production, thus causing infertility. Antihistamines and cough syrups may cause an increase or decrease in the mucus symptom. In women taking continuous antibiotics the mucus pattern change may be interpreted by careful observations and charting, allowing her to continue to follow her cycles. It is also important to consider that when treating an illness, any changes observed in the mucus pattern may be induced by the stress of the illness and not the drug.
Corticosteroids are synthetic derivatives of cortisol that is naturally produced in the adrenal glands. Prednisone, a corticosteroid, is mostly used for the potent anti-inflammatory effects it provides and is also used for hormonal imbalances or as therapy for transplant patients. It appears to inhibit the factors necessary to initiate and continue the inflammatory response, and decreases production of histamine, leukotrine, cytokines (which may be involved in ovulation), and other acute phase reactants. The dosage and the length of time it is taken will determine the severity of the side effects. One of the side effects, is of course, irregular menstrual cycles.
The extra cortisol may create an imbalance that will affect the pituitary hormones controlling the ovaries. Estrogen levels if allowed to rise may indirectly cause an increase in the level of Prednisone in the body thereby increasing side effects. Progesterone levels may be affected by corticosteroid therapy and also cause disturbances to the fertile process. So if the necessary changes in hormone levels do not occur, or the timing is off, the cycle is infertile. There is no changing mucus pattern ending with a definite progesterone change (Peak of fertility). Even if ovulation occurs poor mucus is often a cause of infertility.
Making careful observations of sensations and mucus will allow you to determine the basic infertile pattern (BIP). Once established any changes toward fertility can be easily recognized. When a change in sensation or to possible fertility is detected, the cycle can be managed using the 4 rules of the Billings Ovulation Method (BOM). For a couple wanting to achieve or avoid pregnancy every other evening of a BIP day would be available for intercourse, as per Early Day Rule 2 of the BOM. As you will notice the BOM rules take into account that fertility may return at any time but not without a fertile sign. If your BIP is prolonged Prednisone or stress may be the culprit, but you can be sure that ovulation will not occur without a fertile mucus build up to Peak and sperm need fertile mucus to survive and fertilize the egg. Prednisone, with careful monitoring, can be very useful. Its side effects should not discourage you from managing your fertility naturally.
Angie Frausto as a certified teacher of the Billings Ovulation Method has been teaching this method of natural family planning for 20 years in Whittier, California.
She is the Director and Teacher Trainer of WOOMB Bilingual-Bicultural. Her laboratory research at University of Southern California School of Medicine studies
the cellular interactions causing osteoporosis.
© Copyright 2005 by CANFP
The information on this page and web site is for informational purposes only,
and is not a substitute for medical diagnosis and treatment by a physician.
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