An understanding of the relationship between psychiatric disorders and menstrual characteristics is important to the assessment and care of women. Menstrual cycle regularity and length have significant associations with specific current and lifetime psychiatric disorders. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether psychiatric disorders are associated with menstrual cycle length or regularity. The sample included 628 pregnant Medicaid-eligible women from Women, Infants and Children Supplemental Nutrition Program sites in 5 counties in rural Missouri and the city of St. Louis. Women were assessed for current (12-month) and lifetime psychiatric disorders with the Diagnostic Interview Schedule IV. Menstrual length and regularity were assessed by self-report. Analyses consisted of logistic regression while controlling for race.

Abstract:Objective: To determine the effectiveness of an electronic hormonal fertility monitor plus cervical mucus monitoring to avoid pregnancy. Design: A 12-month prospective clinical efficacy trial. Setting and Participants:One hundred ninety-five (195) Conclusions: Correct use of an electronic hormonal fertility monitor with cervical mucus observations can be as effective as other fertility awareness -based methods of natural family planning. Comparative studies are needed to confirm this conclusion.Approximately 124,000 women in the United States use natural methods of family planning (i.e., cervical mucus or temperature monitoring) for avoiding pregnancy (Mosher, Martinez, Chandra, Abma, & Wilson, 2004). Another 434,000 use self-devised calendar formulas (i.e., rhythm) as a means to avoid pregnancy. Many women rely on natural markers of fertility to help them achieve pregnancy. The accuracy, ease of use, acceptability, and effectiveness of natural biological markers to estimate the time of fertility in the menstrual cycle is important for these women. When NFP methods are used according to instructions (which is referred to as correct use), the unintended pregnancy rate can be as low as 1 to 3 per 100 users over a 12-month time period, and when the instructions are not always followed (which is called imperfect use), the unintended pregnancy rate can be as high as 25 per 100 users over 12 months (Trussell, 2004). The large difference between correct-and imperfect-use unintended pregnancy rates is due to the considerable overestimation of the 6-day fertile window (when correct use is calculated) and to difficulties in the complexity of learning and using NFP methods, the length of required abstinence, subjectivity of the biological markers to estimate the fertile window, and variability of the menstrual cycle (Burkman, 2002 ;Trussell).The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of using a new high-tech hormonal fertility monitor called the Clearblue Easy Fertility Monitor (CEFM) (Inverness Medical Innovations, Waltham, MA) along with another natural marker of fertility (i.e., cervical mucus monitoring) as a means to avoiding pregnancy. The CEFM is a handheld home-use device that estimates fertility by measuring urinary metabolites of estrogen and luteinizing hormone (LH) (May, 2001). The monitor is intended as an aid for achieving pregnancy. However, it could be useful for women and couples who wish to avoid pregnancy as well. Background Studies

by Inverness Medical Innovations) is intended as an aid for achieving pregnancy. However, the information it provides is also useful for women and couples who wish to avoid pregnancy.

Advanced practice nurses in primary care settings are often asked to give appropriate advice to couples seeking pregnancy. This article examines the issue of basal body temperature (BBT), a time-honored way to establish the presence of ovulatory cycles, and asks if BBT is an outdated recommendation. The article also reviews the benefits and limitations of recommending BBT to couples seeking pregnancy in light of recent fecundity research.