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Protocol for determining fertility while breastfeeding and not in cycles
Richard J Fehring1, Mary Lee Barron, Mary Schneider
1Marquette University College of Nursing, Institute for Natural Family Planning, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53201-1881, USA. Richard.fehring@marquette.edu
Fertility and Sterility
|September 20, 2005
Summary
An electronic hormonal fertility monitor reduced required abstinence for nonovulating breastfeeding women. This method showed significantly fewer fertile days compared to cervical mucus self-observation.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Endocrinology
- Women's Health
- Fertility Monitoring
Background:
- Breastfeeding lactational amenorrhea is a natural child-spacing method.
- Assessing fertility return during breastfeeding is crucial for family planning.
- Traditional fertility awareness methods require careful observation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate an electronic hormonal fertility monitor for nonovulating breastfeeding women.
- To compare the fertility monitoring accuracy of the electronic device versus cervical mucus observation.
- To determine the duration of potential fertility indicated by each method.
Main Methods:
- A protocol was developed and tested on nonovulating breastfeeding women.
- Electronic hormonal fertility monitoring was employed.
- Self-observation of cervical mucus was used as a comparative method.
Main Results:
- The electronic hormonal fertility monitor indicated significantly fewer days of potential fertility.
- Required abstinence was 17% of the cycle days with the monitor.
- Required abstinence was 50% of the cycle days with cervical mucus observation.
Conclusions:
- Electronic hormonal fertility monitors offer a potentially more efficient method for determining fertility in nonovulating breastfeeding women.
- This technology may reduce the period of required abstinence compared to traditional methods.
- Further research can validate these findings for broader family planning applications.