The Billings Ovulation Method® uses a biomarker of health that is unique to women. The cervical mucus women observe using this Method is “an excellent health awareness tool,” said Dr Marija Curlin, Associate Professor of Histology and Embryology at the School of Medicine of the Catholic University of Zagreb, Croatia, Associate Director of WOOMB International Ltd and Accredited Teacher of the Billings Ovulation Method®.

Dr Curlin’s paper was presented at the celebration of the 70th anniversary of the Billing Ovulation Method® held in Rome in April 2023 and printed in the Bulletin of WOOMB International in March 2024.

The homeostasis (balance) of the neuroendocrine and immune systems determines “the proper function of the female reproductive system and production of cervical mucus”.

In other words, if a woman’s hormones are out of balance or her immune system is compromised in any way, she can tell that something is not right in her body since her cervical mucus patterns and reproductive system would be impacted on.

“By daily monitoring of the mucus sign, a woman can recognize the change in homeostasis of her reproductive system, correct her habits or visit a doctor and solve the problem before it becomes difficult to manage. Many diseases may be prevented in this way. Thus, besides its designation as a fertility awareness tool, the Billings Ovulation Method® may also be designated as a health awareness tool.”

Women who use the Billings Ovulation Method® “become more aware of their health”. Any change from what is considered normal patterns of cervical mucus for that woman, alerts her to seek medical assistance.

Fertility charting does not provide a diagnostic tool for the doctor per se, since this charting is not specific enough to diagnose an illness, Dr Curlin writes. However, it can alert the Billings teacher and user to an abnormal pattern and if she is not routinely ovulating. These pieces of information “can be very useful in disease detection and treatment monitoring due to its sensitivity.”

A Billings teacher or user can say that they observed changes in the patterns of cervical mucus that needs medical investigation because it is a sensitive marker, but not a specific marker of disease. They can also say when diagnosed and given medication for certain illnesses if they are getting better or worse because of the patterns of cervical mucus observed.

In the paper, Dr Curlin explained that our bodies typically want to return to a state of balance (homeostasis) and when this does not happen, disease can ensue. She notes, even a minor change in balance can be picked up by the female reproductive system.

How can women maintain homeostasis? She noted “by changing our nutritional habits, or avoiding stressful situations, or exercising more. Our body will quickly adapt to better conditions and acquire a normal, healthy homeostasis. If an individual does not recognise that her body is out of the normal homeostasis and keeps putting pressure on the body by bad habits, the body may insensibly slip into a disease. Hence, it is very important to recognise the change in homeostasis at once.”

Later in the paper, she noted that infections, exposure to endocrine disruptors and other factors can throw off homeostasis as well.

She concludes the paper noting, “Today, as women are exposed to many health threats including a stressful and passive way of life, and environmental hazards, numerous health campaigns struggle to raise health awareness among people to help them to avoid risky behaviours and dangerous agents.”

Some risky behaviours known to BOMA-TT include a diet with lots of sugar and/or high fat content. Some dangerous agents include chemicals such as some herbicides, the lining of some canned foods and beverages, from waste burning and wildfires, nonstick pans. Additionally, phthalates (which are found in hundreds of products including some food packaging, fragrances, children’s toys, and medical device tubing. Also found in some cosmetics including nail polish, hair spray, aftershave lotion, cleanser, shampoo), triclosan found in liquid body wash and soaps also have harmful effects.

BOMA-TT Phone or WhatsApp: 384-1659, Email: naturalfertility@catholictt.org or billingstt@gmail.com, Local Website: billingstt.com, International Websites: woombinternational.org or billings.life