Abstract
The concept of the ovarian cycle as a continuum considers that all types of ovarian
activity encountered during the reproductive life are responses to different environmental
conditions in order to ensure the health of the woman. During the normal ovulatory
cycle, a series of sequential events have to occur in a highly synchronized manner.
Fertility awareness is useful in helping women to identify the different stages of
their reproductive life cycle. Fertility awareness is also a valuable tool in helping
women to identify gynecological disorders. Persistence of irregularities within the
mucus patterns and the menstrual cycle should be of concern to women presenting with
these problems. These irregularities may be due to obstetrical, endocrine, gynecological
or iatrogenic disorders. Insight into early pregnancy complications, ovulatory dysfunction
and pelvic inflammatory disease can be ascertained from abnormalities within the menstrual
cycle and mucus pattern. Thus, fertility awareness will also enable the recognition
and early treatment of several metabolic, endocrine and infectious diseases.
Key Words
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© 2006 North American Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
