by Katherine Born

Created on: August 06, 2009

Ovulation predictor kits, or fertility monitors, are used to chemically chart a woman's menstrual cycle so that the day of ovulation is pinpointed. They can be used to help a couple get pregnant or avoid pregnancy, although most brands do not actually recommend use as a reliable method of birth control. When used in conjunction with natural family planning methods of observation and abstinence (or barrier methods, i.e., condom, on fertile days), using fertility monitors can reach the same levels of accuracy as other methods. As a contraceptive, fertility monitors also have the added benefit of avoiding synthetic hormones which have been linked to various diseases.

Prediction kits vary in what method is used to collect the data, what is monitored, and how much "help" is included in monitoring fertility. They also vary considerably in up-front cost and long-term cost. Women should take note as well, that accuracy levels go down for women with irregular menstrual cycles (in some models).

One method of measuring a women's fertility, or when she is about to ovulate, is by measuring the amount of luteinizing hormone in her urine. Luteinizing Hormone (LH) levels rise rapidly just before ovulation and cause the egg to be released from its follicle. Thus monitors keep track of how much LH is in your urine (excreted after production) and tell you whether or not a surge has occurred. Since the hormone takes a short while to reach the urine, some critique this method as risking missing the best window of opportunity for intercourse (if procreation is desired). Clear Blue Easy makes a fertility monitor that measures LH and estrogen (a rise in estrogen is what causes the LH surge). The cost for their system is the cost of the monitor itself, and replacement sticks each month. Persona, a system available in Europe, works the same way.

If you don't want to be checking your urine regularly, another way of predicting ovulation is via the saliva. Two different methods utilize saliva. One is checking what your saliva looks like under a microscope once dried. "Fertile" saliva has a distinctive ferning appearance. Ovulens makes a lipstick-shaped mini-microscope that you can use to see the patterns with, and there are other brands as well. This method only requires a one-time purchase and is one of the cheapest ways to measure ovulation. However, users must be able to read the patterns and daily checks are assumed.

Ovacue makes a saliva tester that is computerized and measures

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