How the OvaCue Fertility Monitor Works
The Science Behind OvaCue
The OvaCue predicts ovulation using the patented Electrolyte Method™ - a technique that has been demonstrated to be 98.3% accurate in predicting ovulation in clinical studies overseen by the National Institute of Health.
Here's how it works: Throughout your monthly cycle, your body retains or discards varying amounts of minerals, such as sodium and potassium (electrolytes). The OvaCue tracks the changes in these electrolyte levels in your saliva over time and processes this information to precisely define your time of peak fertility.
About a week before ovulation, a high point in the salivary readings of electrolytes is reached, corresponding with the release of the dominant follicle (ovum). The measurement of this phenomenon is what allows the OvaCue to provide an accurate prediction of ovulation several days in advance.
As you get closer to ovulation, your body begins to produce estrogen, causing a definite change in the electrolytes in the reproductive tract. Estrogen secretion increases and the electrolyte content of the vaginal mucus changes, causing the OvaCue readings to drop. About 12-24 hours before ovulation your body switches to progesterone dominance, causing a sharp increase in vaginal readings, which confirms ovulation and marks the closing of your fertile window.
How To Use the OvaCue Fertility Monitor
While the science behind the OvaCue Fertility Monitor may be complex, actually using it to predict fertility is quite simple.
Starting on day two of your cycle, place the spoon-sized sensor on your tongue for three seconds first thing each morning before eating, drinking, or brushing your teeth. The OvaCue takes your electrolyte reading and automatically computes:
- Your current cycle day
- Your fertility status for today (darker colors equal higher fertility)
- Your peak fertile days for this cycle (the days in which you have the best chance to conceive)
- The day you actually ovulated (this function requires the optional vaginal sensor)
- The start and end of your fertile window (the window in which your most likely to conceive)
The OvaCue tracks your readings in memory and indicates your most fertile period, beginning five to seven days before ovulation until ovulation occurs.
Interpreting your personal ovulation calendar |
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Days of lowest fertility |
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Days of increasing fertility |
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Days of highest fertility - have intercourse every day. |
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Ovulation confirmed (requires vaginal sensor; marks end of fertile period) |
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A prediction of future fertility |
In short, the OvaCue takes the guesswork and stress out of identifying your most fertile days of the month. With the OvaCue, you can plan your month well in advance for the best chance of conception.
The OvaCue tracks your hormonal changes and maintains your records for four months running. You can review your readings or add new readings with a simple touch of a button. With the OvaGraph Software (sold separately), you can also download this information to your Windows-based computer and track your cycles over your entire fertile lifetime. If you would like to retroactively confirm your ovulation date every month and mark the end of your fertile window, you will want to use the optional vaginal sensor (sold separately).
When trying to conceive, plan to have intercourse on the day the OvaCue defines as your most fertile day. Remember that you must have intercourse before ovulation in order to conceive. If your menstrual period does not begin within two-three weeks, a pregnancy test may be in order.
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