OvaCue FAQ

The OvaCue is the most advanced fertility monitor available for trying-to-conceive couples, allowing you to predict ovulation up to 7 days in advance.

  • 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 tens of thousands of couples conceive

Please review the FAQs below. If you still have questions, don't hesitate to contact our support staff.

OvaCue Manual

  1. General FAQs
  2. Oral Sensor FAQs
  3. Technical Support FAQs
  4. Vaginal Sensor FAQs

General

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 the end of your period until ovulation is confirmed (usually about 6-8 days).

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.

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 travel to the proper place in the Fallopian tube for fertilization of the ovum.

How does the OvaCue differ from urine-based fertility monitors?

The OvaCue offers a higher degree of accuracy in predicting ovulation when compared to urine-based fertility monitors, while also providing the convenience of saliva-based testing.  Urine-based fertility monitors base their prediction on the presence of a specific level of an estrogen metabolite in urine. OvaCue bases its prediction 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 predetermined threshold, but rather it reports the individualized hormone pattern.

The confirmation signal in urine-based fertility monitors 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. (Note that one can not achieve pregnancy after ovulation has already 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. An additional advantage of the OvaCue is that there are no recurring costs for test sticks.

For additional information, visit the comparison chart on our fertility monitors comparison page.

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 essential to provide more accurate results.

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 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 essential to provide more accurate results.

Can I use the OvaCue for Birth Control/Natural Family Planning (NFP)?

The OvaCue is not approved for use as a contraceptive. Although the OvaCue will inform the user of precisely which days you can or cannot conceive, the use of the monitor as a contraceptive has not been approved by the FDA.

Will the OvaCue work for me if I'm taking fertility drugs?

Yes. The OvaCue can still be used by those taking Clomiphene Citrate (Clomid, Serophene, etc.) and other fertility drugs.

Does the OvaCue work for women who are breastfeeding?

Only if your menstrual cycle has returned. If your cycle has not returned, the OvaCue will not identify your fertile window.

Is it safe?

Yes. The OvaCue is a safe and effective aid to assist with conception.

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.

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.

Oral Sensor

On what cycle day must I start to take oral readings?

You must start by day 4 of your cycle, preferably by cycle day 2. (Day 1 is the first day of menstruation.) 

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.

Is it okay to have a drink before taking the oral test in the morning?

You should not allow anything to enter your mouth before taking an oral reading, particularly liquids, toothpaste, food, cigarettes, etc.

When should I begin intercourse?

The OvaCue will display a light blue (possible fertility) box on the calendar once the Cue Peak trend in the oral readings is detected. This signals the beginning of the fertile window and will be 5-7 days before ovulation. It is recommended that you have intercourse every other day on the light blue days that are displayed, and every day on medium blue (high fertility) days, and on the darkest blue day (peak fertility). If you are using the vaginal sensor to confirm ovulation, intercourse is also recommended on the pink day (and purple when displayed).

How come the oral numbers seem different if I take them 2 times in a row?

The act of taking an oral reading affects both the quantity and quality of your saliva.

How much salt does it take to throw off the readings?

It is possible that eating a significantly higher amount of salt than your normal intake may impact your readings.

What should I do if I get a reading over 400 with the oral sensor?

Make sure the sensor is plugged all the way into the monitor. Otherwise, it tends to be an issue of sensor placement - please consult the user manual to determine where the sensor should be placed. Please retake the reading right away. Once the monitor measures a value less than 400, you will be able to save the reading.

Why is my calendar displaying a yellow error box?

Ensure that you have begun taking readings between cycle day 2 and cycle day 5. If you begin taking readings later than this, it will yield an error message. This may also result from a problem with the entered "Settings" and if corrected, the error message will resolve.

Do I have to take oral readings all month?

Once you have passed through your fertile window, you can discontinue taking oral readings until the beginning of your next cycle. If you have an irregular cycle, however, it might be necessary to continue oral readings throughout your cycle.

Technical Support

My previous calendars turned grey – did I lose all my information?

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 several months. You can also enter an unlimited amount of cycle information onto the OvaGraph website.

Vaginal Sensor

When do I take vaginal readings?

To confirm ovulation, vaginal readings should be started the first day after your period has ended, and by cycle day 8 at the latest.

When taking the vaginal reading, where exactly should the sensor be?

The easiest way to describe how to place the sensor is to imagine you are lying on your back. Insert the sensor vaginally just until you feel it touch the cervix. Then pull slightly out on the sensor (approximately 1/4 to 1/2 inch) and lift the handle so it would essentially be pointing towards the ceiling and the sensor itself pointing towards your backbone. This will drop the sensor into the vaginal mucous pool which is where you want the placement to get an accurate reading.

How come the vaginal numbers seem different if I take them 2 times in a row?

Simply taking the vaginal reading affects both 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 with the vaginal sensor?

Make sure the sensor is plugged all the way into the monitor. Otherwise, it tends to be an issue of sensor placement – please consult the user manual to determine where the sensor should be placed. Please retake the reading right away. Once the monitor measures a value less than 400, you will be able to save the reading.

Do I need the vaginal sensor?

While the vaginal sensor is not required for predicting your fertile window, using the vaginal sensor is essential to confirm when ovulation occurs, and most of our customers decide to purchase one. For women with irregular menstrual cycles, we highly recommend using the vaginal sensor in conjunction with the OvaCue and oral sensor. Learn more in our article on the vaginal sensor.

Do I have to take vaginal readings throughout my entire menstrual cycle?

We highly recommend taking vaginal readings throughout your cycle.

Other Products to Help You Conceive…

Improve the quality and quantity of your cervical mucus with FertileCM. Also supports a healthy uterine lining for implantation of the embryo.

Clinically shown to improve count and motility. FertilAid for Men is doctor-designed to improve male reproductive health.

Support good reproductive health and increase chances of conception with all-natural and organic FertiliTea.

Optimizes your chances of conceiving with FertilAid for Women - a fertility enhancing supplement designed for trying-to-conceive women.

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