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Ovulation monitors and how to use them:
Check out other articles below.  See our products index and individual pages for our full line of fertility products.
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bullet Ovulation Predictor Products
bullet Ovulation Symptoms
bullet Ovulation Monitors
bullet Ovulation Test Kits

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bullet Free BBT Fertility Software at BeyondFertility.com
 Fertility Monitors
bullet Fertility Monitors
bullet Saliva Fertility Monitors
bullet Fertility Tests

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bullet Menstruation
bullet Menstruation Problems
bullet Heavy Menstruation
bullet Irregular Menstrual Cycles
 Ovulation
bullet Ovulation
bullet Ovulation Fertility Calendars
bullet Signs and Symptoms Of Ovulation
bullet Ovulation Calculators

Male Infertility

bullet Male Infertility
bullet Low Sperm Counts

This is a very lengthy page but has information that is necessary when deciding what ovulation monitor or sensor to use.

Ovulation and OvaCue Monitor; How to use the Cue II and FAQs:  (see OvaCue in part 2)

Some women just the ease of saliva fertility monitors like those listed below the article.  Some women like the ease of peeing on a stick or cartridge and don't mind the expense over time because it is easy to just pee, read and throw away. After all, if this is your month then purchasing a few LH ovulation test strips or cartridges doesn't cost much at all.  It really is up to the individual.  If you are looking for something that is made to last a lifetime of use, the Cue II, Ova Cue and Fertility Tracker are for you.

Ovulation Monitors like Cue II and OvaCue are very simple to use. They take a little getting used to for those that are a little skittish about their own body.  Don't feel badly if that is you.  We want you to know that none of this fertility stuff is "natural" to anyone.  At some point every woman who was faced with monitoring her ovulation had to decide how important that would be to her.

How to use the Cue II:
To use the Cue, you simply put a spoon-sized sensor on your tongue for eight seconds each morning and record the number shown on the Cue's digital display. These readings are then plotted on the accompanying Cue Chart, which will enable you to identify the Cue Peak that occurs 5-7 days before ovulation. Advance notice of ovulation is crucial because sperm need 24-36 hours to travel to an egg that may only be viable for as little as eight hours!

With the Cue, you can use the optional vaginal sensor to confirm ovulation by measuring changes in the electrolytes directly from the reproductive tract. You simply connect the vaginal sensor (about the size of a tampon) to the same unit and take an eight second reading. These readings are plotted on the Cue Charts and will drop and then rise sharply if ovulation occurred.

Couples who are ready to be pregnant should plan for intercourse the day the Cue Peak is identified and every other day after that until ovulation is confirmed. Once ovulation is confirmed, wait 2-3 weeks. If your menstrual period does not begin, a urine-based pregnancy test or a trip to your doctor may be in order.

Detailed instructions explaining how to use the Cue are in the Owner's Manual that is included with each cue.
  1. How easy is the Cue to use?    Very easy. It requires that you take an oral reading every morning for 3-5 seconds to predict ovulation. To confirm ovulation, all that is required is that a vaginal reading be taken daily from the time of the Cue Peak until ovulation is confirmed (usually about 6-8 days).
     
  2. Where does fertilization occur?   For an egg (ovum) to be fertilized, it must find sperm waiting in the Fallopian tube. For the sperm to have time to traverse to the Fallopian tube, it must be deposited well in advance.

  3. How much advance notice of ovulation will the Cue give?        The Cue will give 5-7 days advance notice of upcoming ovulation. The longer the cycle, the more notice the Cue offers.
     
  4. Can I get pregnant after ovulation?    No. Once the egg has passed the Fallopian tube without being fertilized, you can not become pregnant in that cycle, except in rare cases.
     
  5. When do I take vaginal readings?    To confirm ovulation, vaginal readings should be taken from the time of the Cue Peak until ovulation is confirmed (usually about 6-8 days).
     
  6. 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.
     
  7. I am in my 40's, can I still use the Cue?    Yes. The Cue was designed to be used by women of any age, once they have begun to ovulate.
     
  8. I have irregular cycles, can I still use the Cue?    Yes. The Cue was designed to be used by women with varying cycle lengths.
     
  9. I have long cycles, can I still use the Cue?     Yes. The Cue was designed to be used by women with very long or unpredictable cycles.
     
  10. Does it work while taking infertility drugs?    Yes. The Cue can still be used by those taking Clomiphene Citrate (Clomid, Serophene, etc.) and other fertility drugs.
     
  11. 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. You will know this has occurred because you will have a reading that does not follow the existing pattern.
     
  12. Is it safe?    Yes. The Cue has been approved as a safe and effective aid to conception by the U.S FDA and the Vatican.
     
  13. Does it work? Is it accurate? Yes. The Cue has been clinically proven to be 98% accurate in predicting and confirming ovulation.
     
  14. Can I use the Cue for Birth Control/NFP?     No. The Cue II has not been 'approved' by the FDA for use in avoiding conception. We have done two preliminary studies of its potential for this use and hope eventually to be able to provide it for this purpose.
     
  15. 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 readings at the same time every day.
     
  16. When seeing if the Cue Peak has occurred, do the 2 lower numbers have to be consecutive? For example, if on Day 6 I have a number of 250 and on Day 7 I have a number of 240 and Day 8 I have a number of 245, does this mean my Cue Peak is on Day 6 even though Day 7 and Day 8 are not consecutively lower?     No, as long as the two numbers are lower, they do not have to be consecutive.
     
  17. Should I have intercourse after seeing my Cue Peak every day until I ovulate? or should I wait until the day that is specified in the handbook? Does it matter?     If there is no concern of sperm count or motility, you can have intercourse every day, but every other day is better to allow the sperm to rejuvenate.
     
  18. When taking the vaginal tests, how long should I keep the wand inside? Should I just wait until the numbers stop?      Keep the wand in place in place until the numbers stop moving, usually 3-5 seconds.
     
  19. How come the vaginal numbers seem different if I take them 2 times in a row?
    Simply taking the reading affects the quantity and quality of the vaginal mucus. You may see the same affect if you take two oral readings in a row.     
  20. Does it matter if I take a shower before taking the Oral test?     No, what is important is that you not allow anything to enter your mouth, especially toothpaste, food, cigarettes, etc.
     
  21. I accidentally had a sip of coffee before taking the Oral test; will this effect it greatly?     Although a sip of coffee will not change the readings significantly, it is best to take the reading before anything is consumed.
     
  22. Why is advance notice of ovulation important?      Because sperm needs time to traverse to the proper place in the Fallopian tube for fertilization of the ovum.
     
  23. Why are urine LH sticks ineffective?     Because they usually do not give enough advance notice of ovulation.
     
  24. Are there recurring costs for using the Cue?     No. There is nothing more to buy with your Cue (except replacing the battery) and it can be used safely for many years.
     
  25. Why doesn't the whole world know about the Cue?
    Good question - we are small and our marketing budget is tiny. Please tell a friend about the Cue and our website!
     
  26. Why are there so many frequently asked questions?    Because this is unique and new technology that is important to women and couples seeking conception.
     
  27. What does the Cue measure?   The changes in electrolytes in salivary and vaginal fluids that signal the onset and completion of the ovulatory process.
     
  28. How long has it been on the market?
    The Cue II has been available since October 1999. The Electrolyte Method and this technology were discovered in 1983. The original Cue has been available since 1990.
     
  29. How does the Cue differ from the Clear Plan Easy Fertility Monitor?    The Cue is more convenient than the ClearPlan because it is a direct measurement and 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. Cue's is based on changes in saliva produced by the hormone interaction that triggers this rise in estrogen. The Cue does not require that the hormone reach a specific chemical threshold, 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. The Cue 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 Cue vaginal reading occurs on the day before the shift; a marked rise in Cue vaginal reading usually occurs on the day of ovulation.                Another advantage of the Cue is that there are no recurring costs for sensor covers.             see OvaCue in part 2

Fertile-Focus
 Retails $27.95 

Cue II Ovulation Monitor

Pregnancy Plus Prenatal Vitamins

1 Fertile Focus $24.95

 

6 Fertile Focuses at $19.95 each

 

12 Fertile Focuses at $17.20 each


1 Cue II w/Oral Sensor Only

1 Cue II w/Oral AND Vaginal Sensors


$ 16.95  1 Bottle

$13.20 ea for 6 Bottles

$11.30 ea for 12 Bottles 

 

Pregnancy Tests

Ovulation Tests

Ovulation & Pregnancy Test Bundles

Cu

 1.25 ?  each
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$8.60 10 Pack

$18.00  25 Pack

$30.00 50 Pack


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$53.00  100 Pk

One Step LH Ovulation Test

$ 5.25 5 Pack

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$32.50 50 Pack

$44.25 75 Pack

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see OvaCue in part 2