OVACUE FAQ
OvaCue is the most advanced Fertility Monitor available allowing you to predict ovulation up to 7 days in advance.
- FDA-Approved and recommended by fertility specialists
- Proven 98.3% accurate in Government sponsored NIH study
- Features a calendar-view, color screen that displays in 3 languages
- Convenient and easy to use, has helped thousands of couples conceive
Click below to bring up the specific area of FAQ’s you need:
General FAQs
Oral Sensor FAQs
Vaginal Sensor FAQs
Technical Support FAQs
General FAQs
How easy is the OvaCue to use?
Very easy - It requires that you take an oral reading by placing a spoon-shaped sensor on your tongue every morning for 3-5 seconds to predict ovulation. To confirm ovulation, all that is required is that a vaginal reading be taken daily after then end of your period until ovulation is confirmed (usually about 6-8 days).
Does it work? Is it accurate?
Yes. The OvaCue has been clinically proven to be 98.3% accurate in predicting and confirming ovulation. See the references to these studies.
How much advance notice of ovulation will the OvaCue give?
The OvaCue can give 5-7 days advance notice of upcoming ovulation.
Why is advance notice of ovulation important?
It is important because sperm needs time to traverse to the proper place in the Fallopian tube for fertilization of the ovum.
Can I get pregnant after ovulation?
No. Once the egg has passed the Fallopian tube without being fertilized, you cannot become pregnant in that cycle, except in rare cases.
I am in my 40’s; can I still use the OvaCue?
Yes. The OvaCue was designed to be used by women of any age, once they have begun to ovulate.
I have irregular cycles; can I still use the OvaCue?
Yes. The OvaCue was designed to be used by women with varying cycle lengths. The vaginal sensor is recommended to provide more accurate results.
I have long cycles; can I still use the OvaCue?
Yes. The OvaCue was designed to be used by women with very long or unpredictable cycles. The vaginal sensor is recommended to provide more accurate results.
Does the OvaCue work for women who are breast-feeding?
Only if your menstrual cycle has returned. If your cycle has not returned, the OvaCue will not identify your fertile cycle.
Does it work while taking infertility drugs?
Yes. The OvaCue can still be used by those taking Clomiphene Citrate (Clomid, Serophene, etc.) and other fertility drugs.
Is it safe?
Yes. The U.S FDA has approved the OvaCue as a safe and effective aid to assist with conception.
Can I use the OvaCue for Birth Control/NFP?
No. The OvaCue is not to be used as a contraceptive. Although the OvaCue will inform the user of exactly what days you can or cannot conceive, the use of the monitor as a contraceptive has not been approved by the FDA.
Are there recurring costs for using the OvaCue?
No. There is nothing more to buy with your OvaCue (except replacing the battery) and it can be used safely for many years.
What does the OvaCue measure?
It measures the changes in electrolytes in salivary and vaginal fluids that signal the onset and completion of the ovulatory process.
How does the OvaCue differ from the Clear Plan Easy Fertility Monitor?
The OvaCue is more accurate than the ClearPlan and it is more convenient because it doesn't require the use of urine. ClearPlan's early warning is based on the presence of a specific level of an estrogen metabolite in urine. OvaCue's is based on changes in saliva produced by the hormone interaction that triggers this rise in estrogen. The OvaCue does not require that the hormone reach a specific chemical threshold and spill over into the blood or urine, rather it reports the individualized hormone pattern.
The confirmation signal in ClearPlan is the presence of luteinizing hormone (LH) in the urine. Sometimes this signal is seen on the day of ovulation and sometimes on the day after ovulation. You cannot get pregnant after ovulation has occurred. The OvaCue signal is based on the shift from estrogen dominance to progesterone dominance, which produces changes in the electrolyte characteristics of the vaginal mucus. The lowest OvaCue vaginal reading occurs on the day before the shift; a marked rise in OvaCue vaginal reading usually occurs on the day of ovulation. Another advantage of the OvaCue is that there are no recurring costs for test sticks.
See the comparison chart on our fertility monitors comparison page.
ORAL SENSOR
On what cycle day must I start to take oral readings?
You must start by day 5 of your cycle, preferably by cycle day 2. (Day 1 is the first day of menstruation.)
*Please note, if your cycle length is less than 27 days, you must begin by cycle day 4.
Do I have to take oral readings all month?
No, but to have a full picture of your cycle and to establish the habit, we recommend that oral readings be taken every day. Once your calendar turns white, you can discontinue readings until your next cycle if you would like.
When taking the oral tests in the morning, does the test have to be taken the same time every morning?
Yes, if possible. Variances of fewer than two hours are not going to change your result, but for the most accurate data, please try to take the reading at the same time every day.
Does it matter if I take a drink before taking the Oral test?
Yes, what is important is that you not allow anything to enter your mouth, especially toothpaste, food, cigarettes, etc.
How come the oral numbers seem different if I take them 2 times in a row?
This is due to saliva. Simply taking the reading affects the quantity and quality of your saliva.
How much salt does it take to throw off the readings?
A very large amount that is significantly different than normal, esp. high-soy sauce Chinese food can affect the result. You will know this has occurred because you will have a reading that is lower and does not follow the existing pattern.
What should I do if I get a reading over 400?
Please retake the reading right away. OvaCue will overwrite the good reading over the erroneous one.
Why am I receiving an error?
Make sure that you have begun taking readings between cycle day 2 and cycle day 5. If you begin later than that, it will give you an error message. Sometimes this can also just be a problem with the Settings and if changed, the error message will generally go away.
When should I begin intercourse?
The OvaCue will give a ‘possible’ (lightest blue) on the calendar at the cue peak (selection of the dominant follicle). This is the beginning of the fertile window and would still be 5-7 days before ovulation. It is recommended to begin intercourse every other day throughout the blue days making sure to have intercourse on the darkest blue days and any pink, or purple days (if using vaginal sensor for ovulation confirmation).
VAGINAL SENSOR
Do I need the vaginal sensor?
While the vaginal sensor is not required for predicting ovulation, most of our customers decide to purchase one. The vaginal monitor confirms your time of peak fertility, which usually happens the day before ovulation. If you are uncertain about whether you are ovulating, the vaginal monitor will give you a clear answer. It also gives you the added confidence that the OvaCue is indeed predicting your date of ovulation accurately. Finally, by confirming ovulation it clearly marks the end of your fertile period.
When do I take vaginal readings?
To confirm ovulation, vaginal readings should be started the first day after your period has ended (usually about 6-8 days per cycle).
When taking the vaginal reading, where exactly should the sensor be?
Lie down on your back and insert the vaginal sensor in until it hits your cervix (or stops), then pull it out about 1 cm and lift it up - the reading can now be taken.
How come the vaginal numbers seem different if I take them 2 times in a row?
This is due to secretion. Simply taking the reading affects the quantity and quality of the vaginal mucus.
Can semen affect the results?
Yes, we recommend using the vaginal sensor prior to intercourse or taking the reading at least 8 hours after intercourse. This also applies to the use of progesterone cream.
What should I do if I get a reading over 400?
Make sure the sensor is plugged all the way into the monitor. Otherwise, it tends to be an issue of sensor placement – please see the description above for where the sensor should be placed. Please retake the reading right away. The OvaCue will overwrite the good reading over the erroneous one.
TECHNICAL SUPPORT
Why am I receiving an error?
Please check your settings and make sure that the date, time, cycle length and cycle day are correct. This should alleviate the problem. If you seem to be having a specific issue with either the oral sensor or the vaginal sensor – see the information above for how to solve the issue.
My previous calendars turned grey – did I lose all my information?
No, your information is still stored in the ‘view readings’ section. If you change your settings, such as cycle length, your previous calendars will turn grey. The calendar can only update forward and cannot adjust previous month’s data. Your readings are all stored under the Readings menu and View Readings.
In order to best handle this situation you may want to delete all readings prior to starting a new cycle as the monitor cannot change the information for prior cycles and will cause the calendar to be grey. The monitor itself will keep your readings in its memory for up to 4 months. You can also download the information to the OvaGraph Software if you have a computer running Windows XP or later version of Windows. Unfortunately the software is not yet compatible with Windows Vista or Windows 7 and is not compatible with Mac systems.
I continue to receive an over 400 reading (with either sensor) after trying all the suggestions from above, what do I do?
Test to make sure the sensor is working properly: Please test your sensor by taking a reading in air, a reading in a cup of tap water and a third reading in a cup of tap water with a pinch of salt in it. The first should read over 400 with each additional reading lower than the last.
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