TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., Oct. 25 (UPI) -- Fertility experts in the U.S. and Italy have determined that vaginal dampness can be a simple and effective way by which a women can identify her fertile days -- and which days to avoid intercourse to if she does not wish to become pregnant. .
"On each day a woman simply notices whether she has had any secretions or vaginal dampness," David Dunson, lead author and researcher at the biostatistics branch of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences in Triangle Park, North Carolina told United Press International. "If she has discharge or dampness not associated with menstruation, intercourse or disease, on the current day or the day before, then she is potentially fertile."
"To avoid conception," Dunson said "she would avoid intercourse on those days. Whereas, if she hasn't had noticeable secretions for two days in a row, they she is okay to have intercourse."
The researchers analyzed data on cervical secretion and time-to-pregnancy obtained from a large multinational European database, the European Study of Daily Fecundability. They were able to statistically demonstrate that intercourse is unlikely to result in a conception if vaginal dampness is not noticeable on the day of intercourse or the day before.
The results are published in the Oct. 26 issue of the journal Human Reproduction.
"For couples of normal fertility having intercourse two days prior to ovulation on the most fertile day of the cycle, the probability of pregnancy is essentially doubled from 18 percent -- if secretions have not been noticed in the last two days -- to 33 per cent if secretions have been noticed. A normal couple who abstains from intercourse during the days classified as fertile by our system would have around an 8 percent chance of becoming pregnant within a year of frequent intercourse, compared with a 97 per cent chance for a couple not following our system," Dunson said.
Calling it the TwoDay method, Dunson said. "Our primary motivation was to develop a very easy-to-use method for developing countries. Much of the developing world doesn't have access to hormonal contraceptives. They may also be illiterate and not be able to apply more complicated family planning methods, the ovulation and symptothermal approach. With the TwoDay method, it is not necessary to keep detailed records of cervical mucus characteristics and basal body temperature. Based on our data, the TwoDay method appears to have similar efficacy to these existing methods. But more comparative analysis in real-world populations needs to be done."
"I want to be clear that the only highly effective form of birth control is the hormonal contraceptive. Ideally, you would not be wanting to use the TwoDay method regularly if you had access to hormonal contraceptives. However, if due to unavailability or matters of religious conscience, hormonal contraceptives cannot be used, this is a viable and simple alternative." Dunson said. "Further testing will show the relative efficacy of the TwoDay method to the rhythm method advocated in some faith communities," he added.
"This study has applied objective, expert analysis to obtain very useful information on the time of maximum likelihood of conception, David Katz, professor of biomedical engineering at Duke University, told UPI.
"This information is important to those who study the biology of fertility," said Katz. "It confirms what has long be supposed -- that changes in cervical mucus are directly associated with fertility. Use of this knowledge should be very helpful to couples who are practicing natural family planning in order to time when they have children."
(Reported from West Palm Beach by Bruce Sylvester)
