In the beginning of the fertile phase a watery, sticky discharge is sensed by the woman and L mucus dominates. One to two days later S mucus increases, giving a slippery sensation. P mucus is present on the last day of the mucus symptom and the mucus sensation is extremely lubricative. This last day is called the Peak day because the probability of achieving pregnancy is at its maximum. Ovulation occurs on the Peak day in 80 per cent of the cycles.
Cervical mucus is placed on a slide and quickly spread out in all directions to a very thin layer.
The different mucus types can be approximately quantified for clinical purposes. The subtype Pt of P mucus is particularly suited for studies. Preliminary results indicate that the Pt cells may periodically alter between rest and secretory activity within one or a few hours. Similar studies on other types of secretory cells may hopefully help to understand more about normal and pathological conditions. Normal secretory processes in adolescence, pregnancy, lactation and menopause may be investigated, and also pathological secretions in amenorrhea, hormonal treatments, infections acquired and congenital metabolic diseases, and circulatory disturbances in the pelvic vessels.