On recognition of the amount and the characteristics of the cervical mucus, a fair degree of the state of ovarian hormones can be judged. This is the best clinical means to know the ovarian function. In early days of menstrual cycle, cervical mucus is scanty. As the amount of estrogen increases, that of mucus increases too. In the pre ovulatory period when estrogen has its peak, the cervical mucus is abundant, tenacious, viscous clear like the white of raw egg, cellular, stretchable in thread and makes fern when dried. It is called fertile mucus and is most favorable to sperms ascent.
After luteinization when the progesterone is added, although quantity of mucus remains as it was, its characteristics change into turbid, sticky, non stretchable, cellular and makes a mesh instead of fern when dried. It is progestational infertile type mucus, not favorable for sperms. Luteinization is confirmed by observing the change of characteristics of the mucus. It means few repeated observations. Luteinization indicates that the progesterone is being produced and the woman has most probably ovulated unless it has been a case of luteinization of unruptured follicle (LUF). |
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