ABSTRACT
The four major indicators of fertility are temperature, secretions, cervical changes and calendar calculations. The minor indicators are the other recognizable physiological and psychological changes related to fluctuations in estrogen and progesterone. These vary from woman to woman and from one cycle to the next. Common signs and symptoms include abdominal pain, abdominal bloating, breast changes, mood changes and fluctuations in libido. Less common are lower backache, skin changes, vulval swelling and inter-menstrual bleeding. A woman can be helped to manage her symptoms if she records them on her chart and recognises their hormonal nature. Some signs and symptoms may be consistent in an individual but research shows that they are the least reliable indicators of fertility.
