Basal Temperature, Cervical Mucous, and Both Combination as Diagnostic Tools to Detect Ovulation

Abstract

Objective: To make basal body temperature examination and cervical mucus as an alternative examination in detecting ovulation, especially in health facilities that do not have ultrasound. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the outpatient clinic of RSUPN Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo in the year 2016-2017. A total of 49 infertile female patients who had normal menstrual cycles were asked to participate and performed basal body temperature measurements, cervical mucus sampling and transvaginal ultrasound examination, the data are subsequently grouped into 3 Days Estimated Ovulation (DEO); DEO-2 days, DEO and DEO+ 2 days. Diagnostic tests were performed and accurate comparison between basal body temperature, cervical mucus and a combination of both were later assessed. Results: The best accuracy was found on cervical mucus and combination of both with 65% in detecting ovulation, whilst the lowest was basal body temperature (59%) with sensitivity 46.7%, and specificity 78.9%. Cervical mucus in diagnosing ovulation has a sensitivity of 70% and specificity 57.8%. The combination of temperature-cervical mucus in diagnosing ovulation has sensitivity of 46.67% and specificity of 94.73%. Conclusion: Cervical mucus examination has better accuracy compared with basal body temperature examination in detecting ovulation. Further research for validating these diagnostic tools to the wider community and not only in patients with infertility is needed. Keywords: basal body temperature, cervical mucus, infertility, ovulation detection, ultrasound