OVULATION PREDICTION KITS

OVULATION PREDICTOR KITS

Many women erroneously believe that the over-the-counter, drug store ovulation prediction kits are reliable. But in reality, the results of ovulation predictors can be misleading. An ovulation prediction kits can estimate time of ovulation but cannot determine if ovulation occurred. Additionally, they also do not determine fertility.

Ovulation predictors detect the occurrence of the luteinizing hormone (LH) in the urine, which surges before ovulation. Therefore, it can provide an estimation of when a woman may be approaching ovulation. However, since an ovulation predictor only measures the LH surge, its results can be compromised by a great number of factors (discussed below) – making it inaccurate and misleading. Additionally, these tests do not provide any information about the cervical fluid. So even if it estimates the correct time of ovulation, the cervical fluid may still be not suitable for transmitting the sperm to the egg for fertilization.

Certain fertility monitoring devices are more accurate than the common ovulation prediction kits, but still they do not provide any information about cervical fluid or waking temperature. So, charting your key fertility signs is still the best way to boost your fertility and maximize your chances of conception!

Problems With Ovulation Predictors

• Women with PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) may get misleading results, due to spikes in LH levels.

• Women close to menopause have increased LH levels, which can cause the kit to provide false results.

• Women whose LH surge lasts less than 10 hours and use the kit once a day, may miss their LH surge.

• Women whose LH surge does not reach the kit’s threshold may get false results

• Women who experience mini LH peaks before the real LH surge may receive false results from the ovulation kit

• Women with irregular cycles will receive invalid results, since the kit’s range covers only 5 to 9 days.

• If the kit is exposed to heat during delivery or storage, its accuracy and reliability may be compromised.

Ovulation predictor kit results will also be invalid if the women is:

• Taking certain fertility drugs

• Taking certain antibiotics

• Undergoing hormone therapy

• Postpartum / Breastfeeding.

Fertility Monitors

These fertility monitors are more accurate than the common ovulation prediction kits, but still they do not provide any information about your cervical fluid or waking temperature. Charting your key fertility signs is still the best way to boost your fertility and maximize your chances of conception!

Clearblue Fertility Monitor
This palm-size electronic device measures the levels of LH and estrogen in your urine and estimates if you are currently in your low, high or peak phase of your cycle. It can determine your ovulation one to two days before it occurs and notify you a number of days before. However, the results may be compromised if you are: in menopause; currently or recently pregnant; nursing; suffering from PCOS, or impaired liver or kidney function; or are using certain drugs.

OvaCure Fertility Monitor
This device includes a handheld monitor with two sensors, an oral and vaginal sensor, which collect information about your cycle. Every day you place the oral sensor on your tongue to measure changes in the electrolyte levels in your saliva which are affected by estrogen. It will then display the trends in a color-coded calendar to identify your Optimal Fertility Day, and alert you 5 to 7 days before impending ovulation. The vaginal sensor detects when you have switched from estrogen dominance to progesterone dominance, which indicates that ovulation has indeed occurred. The oral in combination with the vaginal sensor can estimate your possible ovulation and can also work for women with PCOS or irregular cycles, as they do not depend on LH levels.