Ferning and spinnbarkeit tests for ovulation
The cervical glands proliferate under the influence of oestrogen secreted during the follicular stage of the ovarian cycle . The glands become longer as the follicular cycle progresses. The glandular epithelial cells become larger and start to secrete a mucus that is initially thick and viscous.
Under the influence of estrogen, and as the time of ovulation approaches, the quality of the cervical mucus begins to change. From about the 10th day of the cycle till ovulation on the 14th - 16th day, the mucus becomes profuse, more watery and tenacious. It begins to resemble egg-white - clear, profuse, and slippery.
Cervical Mucus at Ovulation
The mucus becomes so tenacious that it can be stretched in threads up to 10-15cm long at the time of ovulation. This quality of the mucus is called 'spinnbarkeit' and is used for the thread test to diagnose ovulation.
The amount of cervical mucus may be so profuse as to be termed the 'vaginal cascade'. This watery cervical mucous helps the sperm to swim into the uterus to fertilize the ovum.
During this time, if the cervical mucus is collected on a clean glass slide and is allowed to dry, it will form a characteristic pattern that resembles the fronds of a fern. This can be observed under a microscope and is known as 'ferning'or the 'fern test'. It is another important diagnostic criteria of ovulation. Ferning can be seen from the 6th to the 22nd day of the cycle.
Fern Test at Ovulation
The amount and character of the cervical mucous is an important diagnostic criteria for ovulation in cases of infertility.
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chocolate cyst of the ovary
This video shows a chocolate cyst of the ovary during laparoscopy. These common ovarian cysts are often found with endometriosis or other hemorrhagic conditions within the ovary
HSG (medical video)
HSG tests for the tube patency. Also useful for detection of some uterine abnormalities.
3rd degreeDiagnostic Pelvic Laparoscopy (medical animation video)
Pelvic laparoscopy is a surgical procedure that examines and treats pelvic organs through a small surgical viewing instrument (laparoscope) inserted into the abdomen at the navel.
Pelvic laparoscopy is used both for diagnosis and treatment. It may be recommended for:
* Diagnosing a woman who may have appendicitis or salpingitis
* Evaluating infertility
* Looking at and removing an abnormal pelvic mass found on abdominal ultrasound
* Pelvic pain due to:
o Infections (pelvic inflammatory disease) that don't respond to drug therapy
o Uterine tissue found outside the uterus in the abdomen (endometriosis)
o Ovarian cyst
o Scar tissue (adhesions) in pelvis
o Suspected twisting (torsion) of an ovary
* Puncture (perforation) of the uterus after a D and C or by an IUD
* Removing the uterus (hysterectomy)
* Removing uterine fibroids (myomectomy)
* Sterilization (tubal ligation)
* Surgically treating a tubal pregnancy
Pelvic laparoscopy is not recommended for patients with:
* Severe obesity
* Severe adhesions in the pelvis from other surgeries
