started with introduction

thesis/main.tex

@@ -20,6 +20,8 @@
 
     \include{sections/introduction/introduction}
 
+    \include{sections/background/background}
+
     \include{sections/related_work/related_work}
 
     \include{sections/methodology/methodology}

thesis/sections/background/background.tex

@@ -0,0 +1,14 @@
+%! Author = alex
+%! Date = 3/7/25
+
+\section{Background}\label{sec:background}
+
+
+\subsection{Menstrual Cycle}\label{subsec:menstrual_cycle}
+The ovulation is defined as the rupture of the ovarian follicle and the release of an egg cell into the fallopian tube.
+There, the egg cell can be fertilized by sperm cells and develop into an embryo\cite{holesh_physiology_2025}.
+This is accompanied by changes in the fluxing gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), luteinizing hormone (LH),
+and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels in the blood.
+Additionally, the basal body temperature (BBT) rises by about 0.5 degrees Celsius after ovulation.
+
+% explain different physiological signs usable for prediction, advantages and disadvantages

thesis/sections/introduction/introduction.tex

@@ -1,6 +1,53 @@
 %! Author = alex
 %! Date = 3/6/25
 
+
 \section{Introduction}\label{sec:introduction}
+A 2024 report by McKinsey and the World Economic Forum\cite{mckinsey_health_institute_closing_2024} highlights
+persistent disparities in women's healthcare and health-related research, particularly in reproductive health.
+The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) has identified reproductive and gynecological health issues as
+the most significant factors affecting both life span and health span globally\cite{global_burden_of_disease_collaborative_network_global_2020}.
+Despite their widespread impact, many aspects of reproductive health remain under-researched.
+Improving our ability to understand the menstrual cycle could have significant implications for fertility tracking, contraception,
+and overall reproductive health.
+\\
+\\
+The average age of pregnant women in developed countries has been increasing over the past few decades.
+This combined with the overall chance of conception sharply decreasing with age, especially after 35,
+makes it more and more important to understand and predict ovulation accurately\cite{sauer_reproduction_2015}.
+Predicting the fertile days in a women's menstrual cycle is not only relevant for family planning but also for
+natural contraception and general health monitoring, as the corresponding hormone levels have a significant impact on
+the overall health and well-being of a woman.
+\\
+Ovulation is the process in which an egg is released from the ovarian follicle, making fertilization possible.
+This process is regulated by hormonal changes, including fluctuations in luteinizing hormone (LH) and
+follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and is accompanied by an increase in basal body temperature (BBT)\cite{holesh_physiology_2025}
+This process is complex and yet not fully understood.
+Factors such as stress, diet, and exercise can influence the menstrual cycle and make it hard to predict ovulation.
+\\
+\\
+Several physiological signs can be used to predict ovulation.
+The most accurate method is ultrasonography, which detects changes in follicle size and rupture.
+Other methods include detecting LH and FSH in urine, measuring BBT, and observing cervical mucus,
+each with its own advantages and limitations.
+These, as well as the interplay of those factors, will be discussed in more detail in Section~\ref{sec:background}.
+
+Many studies have used these physiological signs to predict ovulation and fertility
+\cite{noauthor_cervicovaginal_2005, sato_novel_2024, royston_identifying_1991, luo_detection_2020,
+alexander_fertilitatsmonitoring_2014, luz_improved_2024, yu_tracking_2022, pratikno_pdf_2024}.
+However, most of these methods rely on manual data collection, requiring either daily measurements or invasive procedures.
+This not only makes them impractical but also results in small sample sizes, limiting their generalizability.
+
+Generalization is crucial for developing a reliable ovulation predictor, given the high variability of the menstrual cycle
+\cite{munster_length_1992, bull_real-world_2019}.
+This is particularly important for applications where prediction accuracy
+is critical, such as natural contraception or high-cost procedures like in-vitro fertilization (IVF),
+where false predictions can have severe consequences.
+
+This work aims to develop an ovulation predictor that is both accurate and generalizable while maintaining interpretability,
+allowing for insights into key variables and patterns influencing the prediction.
 
 
+
+
+% explain focus: improve explainability