Introduction

Ovulation predictor kits: The Basics

In your attempt to conceive, you may have turned to the plethora of fertility predictors and gadgets available. They range from urine tests that look for hormone changes to mini microscopes for examining your saliva to thermometers and complex charts for tracking your temperature. It can be a vast and confusing marketplace, and choosing which fertility predictor is best for you can be a mind-boggling task. We've analyzed the underlying science behind ovulation prediction methods to highlight the easiest to use, most foolproof kits.

Our research began with the large number of scientific studies available on fertility and fertility devices. Two reviews, one in the Annals of Pharmacotherapy and the other in the American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy, proved the most fruitful as they detailed the wide variety of ovulation predictors available and stated which have been found the most reliable.

ConsumerReports.org's report on ovulation kits, released in 2003, is dated but thorough, and most of the fertility prediction kits mentioned are still available. We also pulled studies from the medical journals: Fertility and Sterility, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Human Reproduction and Contraception. These papers examined whether particular fertility devices were reliable and accurate at predicting ovulation or helping women to conceive. The studies also detailed how various ovulation predictors fared against traditional methods of detecting ovulation, such as body temperature and changes in cervical mucus.

In addition to the scientific studies, we found a detailed presentation on fertility monitors from a doctor of pharmacy at the University of Montana and reviews on websites such as JustMommies.com and About.com. Lastly, user reviews at Amazon.com, Drugstore.com and Diapers.com offered some real-world test experience.

While our report will help you decide on which fertility product to use, it is always best to first consult with your doctor before trying to conceive. She can help you optimize your health before you get pregnant and help you start important lifestyle changes: quitting smoking and drinking, and taking a folic acid supplement, all of which can greatly improve your health and that of your potential baby. If a woman has health problems or is on medications, her doctor can discuss with her what changes may need to occur, as some medications and health problems can be contraindicated with pregnancy.

In addition, some ovulation tests are only effective and reliable for certain populations of women. If a woman's menstrual cycle is very short or very long, if she has polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), a thyroid disorder or any ailment that alters her hormones, or if she takes fertility medications, some of the more popular fertility predictors may not work. Lastly, if she's been trying to conceive for a while, (a year if she's under 35 years of age, less time if she's older or has concerns) without success, it is recommended that she see her doctor. The doctor can help discover any roadblocks that might exist in her reproductive health and provide solutions.