Dissociation between Cervical Mucus and Urinary Hormones during the Postpartum Return of Fertility in Breastfeeding Women

Authors

Thomas Bouchard, University of Calgary
Len Blackwell, Massey University
Simon Brown, Deviot Institute
Richard Fehring, Marquette UniversityFollow
Suzanne Parenteau-Carreau, Serena Canada

Document Type

Article

Language

eng

Publication Date

11-1-2018

Publisher

SAGE Publications

Source Publication

Linacre Quarterly

Source ISSN

0024-3639

Abstract

Identifying the return of fertility with cervical mucus observations is challenging during the postpartum period. Use of urinary measurements of estrogen and progesterone can assist in understanding the return to fertility during this period. The purposes of this study were to describe the postpartum return of fertility by an analysis of total estrogen (TE) and pregnanediol glucuronide (PDG) profiles and to correlate these profiles with cervical mucus observations. Twenty-six participants collected urine samples during the postpartum period and recorded mucus scores. TE and PDG hormones were analyzed and compared with mucus scores. During amenorrhea, mucus reflected TE changes in only 35 percent of women; after amenorrhea, typical mucus patterns were seen in 33 percent of cycles. We concluded that postpartum mucus and hormone profiles are significantly dissociated but that monitoring urinary hormones may assist in identifying the return of fertility. We also identified different hormonal patterns in the return to fertility.

The postpartum period is a challenging time for identifying the return of fertility. The purposes of this study were to describe the hormonal patterns during the return of fertility and to correlate these patterns with cervical mucus observations. Twenty-six postpartum women collected urine samples and recorded mucus scores. Urinary estrogen and progesterone hormones were analyzed and compared with mucus scores. Before the return of menses, mucus reflected hormonal changes in only 35 percent women and after first menses in 33 percent of cycles. We found that hormone profiles do not correlate well with mucus observations during the postpartum return of fertility.

Comments

Accepted version. Linacre Quarterly, Vol. 85, No. 4 (November 1, 2018): 399-411. DOI. © 2018 Catholic Medical Association. Used with permission.

Recommended Citation

Bouchard, Thomas; Blackwell, Len; Brown, Simon; Fehring, Richard; and Parenteau-Carreau, Suzanne, "Dissociation between Cervical Mucus and Urinary Hormones during the Postpartum Return of Fertility in Breastfeeding Women" (2018). College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications. 595.
https://epublications.marquette.edu/nursing_fac/595