Conception rates and time to conception based on the peak mucus symptom

Abstract

Introduction Infertility is a major personal and public health issue. Assisted reproductive technologies (ART) are limited by cost, psychosocial impact and accessibility. Knowledge of the physiological signs of fertility can increase the probability of conception or be used to avoid conception. <br/> Aims 1.To assess the utility of a fertility awareness based method (FABM) of family planning for achieving pregnancy. 2.To examine the impact of favourable and unfavourable peak mucus symptoms on conception rates and time to conception for women of expected normal fertility and those with clinical infertility. <br/> Methods Records from 449 consecutive women presenting at least twice to 17 Australian Billings Ovulation Method® clinics from 1999 - 2003 were collated along with a mailed questionnaire. Participants were instructed in fertility-awareness and to time their intercourse with the Peak mucus symptom, ie the last day of the slippery sensation Follow-up was up to 24 months.