Compare fertility monitors for practicality and value

You have probably studied various methods of increasing your chances of conception. Perhaps you have tried other products. If so, here is what you may have found:

Clearblue Easy (Clearplan)

The Clearblue Easy test is based on detection of a pre-determined level of estrogen (E3G) in the urine, a viable but less accurate method for identifying fertility than the electrolyte method. According to the Unipath physicians’ manual, Clearblue Easy accurately identifies fertile days within the fertile window only 73% of the time. The uLH positive signal used by Clearblue is most often observed on the before or the day of ovulation, offering less advance notice or accuracy than the Ovacue.  Clearblue also requires a continued expense for test strips and you must deal with the inconvenience of testing urine. Read a detailed comparison of OvaCue and Clearplan.

OVWatch

OvWatch measures changes in perspiration and requires the user to attach a sticky patch to their skin and wear a bulky watch every day—expect during times of possible accumulation of moisture on the skin, such as during exercise, heat or humidity. There are more than 400 medical conditions that can cause perspiration, including anxiety, hypoglycemia, hyperthyroidism and several that interact with fertility, such as perimenopause and polycystic ovarian syndrome. There are also medications that increase perspiration. The product doesn’t work for women with unusual cycles or those taking ovulation inducing medications. There are high monthly costs for the patches you must continually buy. Read a detailed comparison of OvaCue and OVWatch.

Ferning microscopes

Makers of these inexpensive devices have picked up on the fact that salivary characteristics can indicate the onset of ovulation. However, the accuracy of these products is dependent on the user's ability to interpret the results. In addition, the process of collecting saliva itself can distort the results. For more information on ferning scopes, view our summary of saliva fertility monitors.

Urine LH sticks

After LH has peaked in the blood, it eventually makes its way into the urine and can be measured by a urine LH stick. The problem is that by the time LH makes it to the urine, it is usually too late for sperm to be deposited in time to reach the egg while it is still viable. Not only does this method often provide insufficient advance notice, but frequent urine samples are required and stick color changes are not always easily interpreted. In addition, in Zetek's NIH Phase II study using various urine LH tests, a positive reading was not reached at all in 24% of the cycles tested.

Basal Body Temperature

You can't beat the price, but measuring basal body temperature (BBT) is useful only for confirming that ovulation has occurred. Again, it's too late for conception. At best, you can establish a pattern to your cycles and hope to guess correctly next month. BBT was the old approach before products like the OvaCue Fertility Monitor were available to give you advanced notice before you’re fertile.

Fertility monitors comparison summary

Notes.

A. Source: Unipath ClearBlue Easy Physician's manual, page 23.

B. Defined as a six-day period ending on the day of ovulation. (Ref: Timing of sexual intercourse in relation to ovulation. Wilcox AL et al. N Engl J Med 1995; 333(23): 1517-1521.)

C. Source: Unipath ClearBlue literature

D. Assuming 12 months of use

E. Source: Unipath ClearBlue web site.

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