Fertility monitor

A fertility monitor is a computerized device used for fertility awareness. Some brands are marketed only to assist in pregnancy achievement, while other brands are advertised for both pregnancy achievement and as birth control. A fertility monitor may analyze hormone levels in urine, basal body temperature, electrical resistance of saliva and vaginal fluids, or a combination of these methods.

Clearblue Easy

The fertility monitor marketed by Clearblue Easy uses disposable urine test sticks. It identifies up to six fertile days per cycle and is recommended by the manufacturer as a pregnancy achievement aid only. The manufacturer is Swiss Precision Diagnostics (SPD). SPD was formed in 2007 as a joint venture between Procter & Gamble (P&G) and Inverness Medical Innovations (IMI).

The Marquette Method of fertility awareness offers rules to avoid pregnancy with the Clearblue Easy fertility monitor. This method is 98-99% effective in avoiding pregnancy when followed correctly.

DuoFertility

DuoFertility is a system composed of a thermometer that can be worn under the arm, and a hand-held reader that wirelessly collects the temperature data and uses it to calculate probable fertility. The thermometer can collect over 20,000 temperature readings when worn overnight; it is hoped it will pinpoint ovulation more closely than systems relying on a single reading taken when the user wakes. It will be marketed as a pregnancy achievement aid only.

DuoFertility is developed by Cambridge Temperature Concepts, a spin-out from the University of Cambridge. The manufacturer claims that the product can detect fertile days with an accuracy of 99%.

Ladycomp/Babycomp/Pearly

This series of fertility monitors is marketed for both pregnancy achievement and as a birth control method. They measure basal body temperature and use cycle history rules to determine the fertile and infertile portions of the menstrual cycle.

OvaCue

The OvaCue Fertility Monitor measures the electrolyte composition of saliva to determine approaching ovulation. A study conducted by the National Institutes of Health determined that the OvaCue is able to predict ovulation up to seven days in advance with 98.3% accuracy. It is sold with an optional vaginal sensor to retroactively confirm the date ovulation occurred. The OvaCue is marketed for trying-to-conceive purposes only, and is distributed by Fairhaven Health.

Persona

Persona can equally be used as a means of avoiding pregnancy or increasing the chances of getting pregnant. The 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 used to avoid pregnancy, it is claimed to have a 94% effectiveness rate when used correctly.

When the urine sample is inserted into the device, the woman's fertility is indicated by means of a red ("fertile") or green ("infertile") light on the monitor.

Persona was produced by Unipath, formed in 1984 by the Unilever group, and is now produced by Swiss Precision Diagnostics (SPD). SPD was formed in 2007 as a joint venture between Procter & Gamble (P&G) and Inverness Medical Innovations (IMI). It is available only in Europe.

Ovulens

Microscope to observe characteristics of saliva. Ovulation increases the level of minerals / estrogen in a woman’s saliva. Beginning three or four days before ovulation then returning to normal two to three days after ovulation. This change can be noted by observing ferning patterns in dried saliva. ,

Microscope

Most any microscope can observe characteristics of saliva similar to Ovulens, by observing ferning patterns in saliva. Maybe Baby, Baby Start, Baby 2000 are other product using this technology.

Cyclotest

Cyclotest Baby and Cyclotest 2 Plus are both Sympto-Thermal Fertility Monitors. Using an integrated digital thermometer they measure Basal Body Temperature (similar to Lady-Comp) to identify and predict ovulation but they also accept user input regarding menstruation, positive LH surge test results (similar to Persona and Clear Blue) and also cervical mucus observations.

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 up to 99% effectiveness when using this device to avoid pregnancy. An external clinical study was however not yet conducted which is necessary for a pearl-index rating.

Comparison

A comprehensive comparison of four leading fertility monitors currently on the market. Features used for comparison include duration of time on the market, price, technical functions, and recording methods