The importance of the mucus as nature’s signal of fertility has
been recognised since the nineteenth century. Scientific
research over the past 50+ years has gradually unfolded its
vital role in assisting new life to begin. The changes in the
mucus reflect a highly complex chain of events in the body’s
hormonal system. As the cycle begins, the pituitary gland at the
base of the brain starts to produce two chemical messengers,
Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and Luteinising Hormone (LH).
The over-riding control of FSH and LH production occurs in the
area of the brain called the hypothalamus which acts like a
computer – analyzing nerve signals from other areas of the
brain, including those generated by emotions and environmental
factors, as well as assessing hormone signals relevant to
fertility. The follicles (that is, the groups of immature eggs
within the ovaries) have a threshold requirement for FSH below
which no stimulation occurs (that is, the FSH has to reach a
certain level in the bloodstream before