A fertility monitor is an electronic device which may utilize various methods to assist the user with fertility awareness. A fertility monitor may analyze changes in hormone levels in urine, basal body temperature, electrical resistance of saliva and vaginal fluids, or a combination of these methods. Some monitor brands are specifically marketed only to assist in pregnancy achievement, while other brands are marketed for both pregnancy achievement and as a method of birth control.
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The Clearblue Easy monitor works by detecting increased levels of luteinizing hormone (LH) in urine collected from disposable urine test sticks. It identifies up to six fertile days per cycle. The manufacturer, Swiss Precision Diagnostics, recommends that it is to be used as a pregnancy achievement aid only.[1]
The Persona monitor is a small hand-held device that reads results from disposable urine test sticks to determine when ovulation is approaching and to detect when ovulation has passed. When the urine sample is inserted into the device, the woman's fertility is indicated by means of a red ("fertile") or green ("less fertile") light on the monitor. Persona was originally produced by Unipath, and is now produced by Swiss Precision Diagnostics. It is available only in Europe.[2]
The DuoFertility system consists of a body-worn sensor, a handheld reader, and computer software. The sensor is worn under the arm like a patch, where it automatically collects up to 20,000 temperature readings per day. The collected data is then transferred to the handheld reader, which stores the data and analyzes it to calculate fertility. The reader is then connected to a computer with the DuoFertility software installed, and the software displays more detailed fertility information. The manufacturer, Cambridge Temperature Concepts, claims that the product is as effective as IVF for patients with unexplained infertility or mild-to-moderate male or female factors.[3] It is marketed as a pregnancy achievement aid only.[4]
This series of fertility monitors is marketed for both pregnancy achievement and birth control. They measure basal body temperature and use cycle history rules to determine the more fertile and less fertile portions of the menstrual cycle. They are manufactured in Germany by VE Valley Electronics GmbH.VE Valley Electronics are tested and CE certified medical diagnostic devices. The fertility computer takes your basal body temperature (BBT) every morning when you wake up with the most advanced temperature sensor (1/100 degrees accurate). It then automatically compares it with its bio-mathematical forecasting software and stored information of all available family planning research. It also automatically compares it to over a million cycles of other women to accurately determine, analyze and display your individual cycle. It has a Pearl Index of 0.7 which means it is 99.3 percent safe and effective. Several clinical studies were independently conducted by Prof. Dr. G. Freundl and Prof. S. Dessole. Dr. Med. Andreas Marx. Cycle computers offer an effective and drug-free method of contraception.
The OvaCue Fertility Monitor is marketed for trying-to-conceive purposes only. It works by measuring the electrolyte composition of saliva to determine approaching ovulation. It is sold with an optional vaginal sensor to retroactively confirm the date ovulation occurred. The manufacturer, Fairhaven Health, claims that this technique has been demonstrated to be 98.3% accurate in predicting ovulation in clinical studies overseen by the National Institute of Health.[5]
Cyclotest Baby and Cyclotest 2 Plus are both sympto-thermal fertility monitors. By measuring basal body temperature (BBT) and menstruation dates it functions as a cyclo-thermic device which can predict fertility for contraception with a 97% accuracy.
As an optional addition to BBT and menstruation dates, extra fertility indicators can be recorded, including cervical mucus observations. When the user observes the sticky, egg type cervical mucus a button can be pressed on the cyclotest to record the timing of that event. Likewise, a positive result from an ovulation predictor kit, available in most pharmacies, can be recorded with a simple button press. Both of these events are synonymous with ovulation and are usually observed 24-48 hours prior to ovulation. The optional addition of one of these two fertility indicators allows the device to apply the algorithms of the Symptothermal Method. When used in it's symptothermal capacity, cyclotest can predict fertility for contraception with a 99% accuracy.
Results are displayed on an LCD screen which allows the user to see their entire predicted cycle and this cycle's fertility window. Other functionality includes USB connectivity for the user to download their cycle data. The manufacturer, UEBE Medical GmbH, claims the Cyclotest 2 Plus has a Pearl Index of 1.0 - 3.0, [6] A study of 207 cycles conducted in 1998 observed that the device requested more abstinence than was necessary at the end of the fertile time in about 12% of the cycles, and thus concluded that more research should be performed on detecting the end of the fertile time.[7] The result of this is therefore a heavier cushion of abstinence at the start of the luteral phase.
Women undergo an electrolyte change about three to four days prior to ovulation that persists for two to three days following ovulation. This change can be observed as ferning patterns in her dried saliva upon microscopic examination. Baby Start, Fertile-Focus, Maybe Baby, and Ovulens are products which use this technology.
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