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Menstrual cycle
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Symptothermal Method

This method involves documenting the basal body temperature as well as the cervical fluid found at the vaginal opening (vulva). Cervical fluid is an important aspect in a woman's cycle, and can tell a woman if and when she is fertile. This is the key factor in determining fertility. Another form of this method is to check the cervix (internally) for cervical fluid and position. Position also changes throughout the cycle, and is just one more clue to a woman's phase in the cycle.

Menstruation

This is when the body begins its journey toward ovulation and possible conception. Menstruation is actually the shedding of the uterine lining because the previous cycle did not result in a pregnancy. All hormone levels associated with the menstrual cycle drop (progesterone, estrogen, follicle stimulating hormone, lutenizing hormone), only to begin rising again during the next phase of the cycle. This marks the beginning of a new cycle. Cervical position is very low and very firm, similar to the tip of your chin.

• Menses

Preovulation

The hormones FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone) and LH (Luteinizing Hormone) are released by the pituitary gland during this time. FSH stimulates an ovarian follice to grow and an egg to mature. LH stimulates the follicle to produce estrogen. This is what causes the uterine lining to grow. During this time, little or no cervical fluid present. These days are considered infertile due to the high acidity of the vagina. Sperm cannot surive more than an hour or two in such a hostile environment. Cervical position becomes medium position and medium firmness.

• Dry or light moisture - Infertile
• Sticky or Gummy - Infertile

Ovulation

A Lutenizing hormone surge can often be seen 24 to 36 hours before ovulation, and is what is detected in home fertility tests, also called Ovulation predictor kits. This surge is what triggers ovulation to occur. Shortly before ovulation occurs, the cervix produces cervical mucus to enable the sperm to live. The cervix starts out producing sticky or cloudy cervical mucus (CM) but as ovulation begins, the mucus turns to a slippery egg white consistency, often called eggwhite cervical mucus (EWCM). This mucus is considered highly fertile because the sperm can survive for up to 5 days in this supple environment. If trying to avoid pregnancy, everyday of EWCM and three days following, unprotected intercourse should be avoided. If pregnancy achievement is desired, every day of EWCM is the optimal time for intercourse. Ovulation is when the follicle ruptures, releasing the mature egg from the ovary while the remaining follicle returns to the ovary and becomes the corpus luteum. The corpus luteum is responsible for the early progesterone production, which keeps the lining of the uterus in tact. Progesterone inhibits other eggs from developing and also causes the Basal Body Temperature to rise about half a degree. Cervical position is up high, sometimes not reachable, and is now very soft, similar to the tip of your nose. This is the most fertile position during the cycle.

• Creamy, Milky or Lotiony - FERTILE
• >Eggwhite Cervical Mucus - Highly Fertile


    

Luteal Phase

The luteal phase begins the day following ovulation and generally ranges from 12-16 days. Cervical mucus will usually dry up immediately following ovulation. Some women experience some level of CM during the middle of the luteal phase, due to an increased estrogen level. If fertilization does not take place, the luteal phase ends with the corpus luteum disintegrating and the uterine lining shedding again with menstruation, only to start the whole cycle again. If pregnancy occurs, the corpus luteum continues producing progesterone until the placenta picks up production after the 3rd month of pregnancy. Cervical postion becomes low and firm immediately following ovulation.

• Dry, Moist or Sticky (following ovulation) - Not Fertile

Chart Example:

This is an example of a pregnancy chart that ends in miscarriage, as you can see by the spotting. The temperate drops after woman stops charting. Please see the cervical mucus and cervical position notations on this chart.

• Horizontal Red line is the Coverline
• Vertical Red line seperates low and high temps, marking ovulation.

Guide to reading Symptothermal charts below

Symbol	Title	Description
CM	Cervical Mucus	M = Menses * = Spotting - = Dry S = Sticky C = Creamy W = Watery E = Eggwhite
OT	Ovulation Test Kits Fertility Monitors	+ = Positive - = negative L = Low H = High
BD	Intercourse	Also symbolizes "baby dance" for trying to conceive
CP	Cervical Position	L = Low M = Medium H = High S = Soft M=Medium F = Firm
Meds	Includes various fertility medicines	C = Clomid P = Progesterone