Ultrasonic, biochemical and cervical mucus studies in contraceptive users

Ovarian function was monitored by serial ultrasound scanning of the follicles, measurement of estrone-3-glucuronide and pregn and iol-3- alpha-glucuronide concentrations in daily samples of early morning urine and by serial cervical mucus scoring in women using five contraceptive modalities. Sixty cycles were studied and compared to 12 cycles in regularly menstruating women [CC]. The groups included 12 women using the triphasic pill starting day 1 of the cycle [TP1], 12 women using the triphasic pill and starting day 5 of the cycle [TP5], 12 women using low estrogen combined pill starting day 5 of the cycle [OC5], 12 women using a progesterone-only pill [POP], and 12 women using an intrauterine contraceptive device [IUD]. These results confirm earlier studies on the incidence of ovulation and mechanism of action of the five contraceptive modalities, reached by histological and biochemical approaches