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- ARTICLES| 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. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Ovulation Tests
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This is a very lengthy page but has information that is necessary when deciding what ovulation monitor or sensor to use.
- 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 from the time of the Cue Peak 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% accurate in predicting and confirming ovulation. Please see www.zetek.net/bibliography.htm" for references to these studies.
- On what cycle day must I start to take oral readings?
You must start by day 5 of your cycle, preferably by day 3. (Day 1 is the first day of menstruation.)
- 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 of ovulation.
- How much advance notice of ovulation will the OvaCue give?
The OvaCue will give 5-7 days advance notice of upcoming ovulation.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 recommened 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 recommened 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 OvaCue has been approved as a safe and effective aid to conception by the U.S FDA.
- Can I use the OvaCue for Birth Control/NFP?
No. The OvaCue and Cue II are not to be used as a contraceptive. Although the OvaCue will inform the user of exactly what days you can or can not conceive, use as a contraceptive has not been approved by the FDA
- Why are urine LH sticks ineffective?
Because they usually do not give enough advance notice of ovulation.
- 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?
The changes in electrolytes in salivary and vaginal fluids that signal the onset and completion of the ovulatory process.Cue II vs OvaCue vs ClearPlan
- Cue II vs OvaCue: What's the difference?
The OvaCue and the Cue II both use Zetek's patented Electrolyte Method for measuring changes in the body associated with ovulation. They use exactly the same sensors.The OvaCue is a significant advance in that it automatically performs the calculations for predicting and confirming ovulation and reports a visual indicator of your fertility status for the day and a projected date of peak fertility. Using the vaginal sensor, it also reports an unambiguous confirmation of ovulation.
With the Cue II, you jot down daily readings on a Cue Chart and interpret the pattern according to instructions. Keeping and interpreting a chart is not difficult, it just requires a little extra effort.
- Is there anybody who would be better off with Cue II?
Women who are experiencing extremely long cycles or are not ovulating regularly due to anovulation, breastfeeding or other reasons, may have better results with the Cue II because no cycle lengths are recorded. Also, couples looking for a lower-cost alternative should use the Cue II.
- Can I use the Cue on a trial basis?
Yes. You can rent the Cue II on a month-to-month basis and your rent will apply towards the purchase.
- Do I need the vaginal sensor?
While the vaginal sensor is not required for predicting ovulation, most of our customers elect 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.
- 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.
Using the OvaCue
- 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 per cycle).
- 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.
- 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 is lower and does not follow the existing pattern.
- 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.
- What is the Cue Peak?
The Cue Peak is a peak in the oral readings of either the OvaCue or Cue II that precedes ovulation by 5-7 days (depending on cycle length). The Cue Peak is marked by a high oral reading followed by two oral readings that are at least 10% lower, cumulatively. The Cue Peak signifies the onset of the ovulatory process and marks the beginning of the fertile window.
- (For Cue II users) 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 than the, they do not have to be consecutive.
- 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.
- When taking the vaginal tests, how long should I keep the wand in place? Should I just wait until the numbers stop?
Keep the wand in place until the numbers stop moving, usually 3-5 seconds.
- How come the vaginal numbers seem different if I take them 2 times in a row?
Due to secretion. Simply taking the reading affects the quantity and quality of the vaginal mucus. You may see the same effect if you take two oral readings in a row.
- 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.
- I accidentally had a sip of coffee before taking the Oral test; will this affect it greatly?
Although a sip of coffee will not change the readings significantly, it is best to take the reading before anything is consumed.
- What should I do if I get a reading over 430?
Please retake the reading right away. OvaCue will overwrite the good reading over the erroneous one.
Why OvaCue? (See OvaCue page)
| See also OvaCue page |
| Fertile-Focus | Cue II Ovulation Monitor | |
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Pregnancy Tests | Ovulation Tests | Ovulation & Pregnancy Test Bundles |
| Cu $8.60 10 Pack $18.00 25 Pack $30.00 50 Pack
| One Step LH Ovulation Test $ 5.25 5 Pack $7.25 7 Pack $10.25 10 Pack $19.25 25 Pack $32.50 50 Pack $44.25 75 Pack $58.00 100 Pack
| 10 Ovulation & 20 Ovulation &
see OvaCue in part 2 |