Cohort study, 1992
Do glucose and fructose levels in cervical mucus change during the menstrual cycle?
Yes. A small study of 9 women found that glucose and fructose levels in cervical mucus were lower before ovulation than at other cycle phases.
What they did
9 women with regular menstrual cycles of 28 +/- 3 days had cervical mucus samples collected at three points: before ovulation, after ovulation, and premenstrually. Timing was confirmed with ultrasound and blood hormone measurements.
What they found
Preovulatory glucose concentrations were lower than postovulatory and premenstrual concentrations. Preovulatory fructose concentrations were lower than premenstrual. Glucose levels correlated with blood progesterone levels.
What it means for you
Cervical mucus composition changes across the menstrual cycle. This may affect sperm survival or implantation but this is a very small study. The practical relevance to PMS symptoms is unclear.
9
women studied
28 +/- 3
day cycle length
3
cycle phases measured
About the study
- Original title
- Cyclic changes in the concentration of glucose and fructose in human cervical mucus
- Authors
- van der Linden PJ, Kets M, Gimpel JA et al.
- Journal
- Fertility and sterility
- Year
- 1992
- Study design
- Cohort study
- What was tested
- None
- Open access
- Yes
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1016/s0015-0282(16)54902-4
Topics
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