Fertility Monitor

Why Use a Fertility Monitor?

For many women, the journey to conception can be fun and exciting. However, if it seems to be taking you a long time to conceive, do not immediately assume it is because you have infertility problems. The American Fertility Association reports findings that show 98 percent of women of reproductive age do not know how many days each month they have to get pregnant. Further, 52 percent of women are not sure when those days occur.

Because cycles vary from woman to woman, simply counting to fertile days and ovulation based on the “standard” of 28 days may not work for everyone. A fertility monitor can help women gage when those fertile days occur, helping them to time their sex to their most fertile times.

Women who are 35 and younger should try to conceive for around one year with the help of a fertility monitor before seeking help. For those over 35, try for six months before consulting a doctor.

Types of Fertility Monitors

Fertility monitors are much easier to use than tracking, graphing, and charting your own information. A monitor allows for easy storage of information and does the interpretation for you. Three types of monitors—urine, saliva, and basal body temperature—are discussed below.

Urine Monitors

Urine monitors generally track the surging levels of estrogen and luteinizing hormones. After peeing on a tester stick first thing in the morning, insert it into the monitor. After about five minutes (depending on the model used), a reading will appear on the screen. The reading will tell whether or not you have low, high, or peak fertility. Usually fertile days are between 3-5 days before ovulation, with peak days the 1-2 days before. Additionally, because eggs can be fertilized for 24 hours after release, the day after ovulation is still considered a fertile time.

These types of monitors are recommended for women with regular cycles lasting between 21 and 42 days. Some monitors can adjust for infertility medications; check package information to be sure.

Saliva Monitors

Saliva monitors are generally less messy than urine monitors. By using a slide or slides underneath a microscope, and comparing to information included in the fertility kit, you can determine your high fertility days. Watching the patterns in the slides for several days can be especially helpful if you have irregular cycles, so look for a kit with several reusable slides. Most kits are meant to be used in the morning, before eating or drinking.

Basal Body Temperature Monitors

Taking body temperature has long been a way for women to chart their cycles and fertility. However, the pen-and-paper method is time consuming and requires careful interpretation. Using a basal body temperature monitor can cut down on the time required.

By charting temperature rises, it can determine high fertility days. Many monitors can also store data for up to six cycles, making it easier to chart personal fluctuations. Some kits have an alarm clock to remind you the time to take your temperature each day, as it should be done around the same time.

Helpful Hints

Here are some helpful hints to make sure you use your fertility monitor correctly:

• Read the directions thoroughly.
• Do testing at the same time each day.
• Do not share tests.
• Using medications can affect the results.

Additionally, remember that a fertility monitor can only identify high and peak fertile times. They do not guarantee results, whether for determining ovulation or conception. If you are having trouble conceiving, check with a doctor. Do not use fertility monitors as a form of birth control.