A Comparison of Two Hormonal Fertility Monitoring Systems for Ovulation Detection: A Pilot Study
<i>Background and Objectives</i>: Accuracy in detecting ovulation and estimating the fertile window in the menstrual cycle is essential for women to avoid or achieve pregnancy. There has been a rapid growth in fertility apps and home ovulation testing kits in recent years. Nevertheless,...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-02-01
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| Series: | Medicina |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1648-9144/59/2/400 |
| _version_ | 1797619402943758336 |
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| author | Qiyan Mu Richard Jerome Fehring |
| author_facet | Qiyan Mu Richard Jerome Fehring |
| author_sort | Qiyan Mu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <i>Background and Objectives</i>: Accuracy in detecting ovulation and estimating the fertile window in the menstrual cycle is essential for women to avoid or achieve pregnancy. There has been a rapid growth in fertility apps and home ovulation testing kits in recent years. Nevertheless, there lacks information on how well these apps perform in helping users understand their fertility in the menstrual cycle. This pilot study aimed to evaluate and compare the beginning, peak, and length of the fertile window as determined by a new luteinizing hormone (LH) fertility tracking app with the Clearblue Fertility Monitor (CBFM). <i>Materials and Methods</i>: A total of 30 women were randomized into either a quantitative Premom or a qualitative Easy@Home (EAH) LH testing system. The results of the two testing systems were compared with the results from the CBFM over three menstrual cycles of use. Potential LH levels for estimating the beginning of the fertile window were calculated along with user acceptability and satisfaction. <i>Results</i>: The estimates of peak fertility by the Premom and EAH LH testing were highly correlated with the CBFM peak results (R = 0.99, <i>p</i> < 0.001). The participants had higher satisfaction and ease-of-use ratings with the CBFM compared to the Premom and EAH LH testing systems. LH 95% confidence levels for estimating the beginning of the fertile window were provided for both the Premom and EAH LH testing results. <i>Conclusions</i>: Our pilot study findings suggest that the Premom and EAH LH fertility testing app can accurately detect impending ovulation for women and are easy to use at home. However, successful utilization of these low-cost LH testing tools and apps for fertility self-monitoring and family planning needs further evaluation with a large and more diverse population. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T08:27:45Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-c5d8b5c56cdd4e3ca38ee3f332d20694 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1010-660X 1648-9144 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T08:27:45Z |
| publishDate | 2023-02-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Medicina |
| spelling | doaj.art-c5d8b5c56cdd4e3ca38ee3f332d206942023-11-16T22:01:16ZengMDPI AGMedicina1010-660X1648-91442023-02-0159240010.3390/medicina59020400A Comparison of Two Hormonal Fertility Monitoring Systems for Ovulation Detection: A Pilot StudyQiyan Mu0Richard Jerome Fehring1Institute for Natural Family Planning, College of Nursing, Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI 53233, USAInstitute for Natural Family Planning, College of Nursing, Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI 53233, USA<i>Background and Objectives</i>: Accuracy in detecting ovulation and estimating the fertile window in the menstrual cycle is essential for women to avoid or achieve pregnancy. There has been a rapid growth in fertility apps and home ovulation testing kits in recent years. Nevertheless, there lacks information on how well these apps perform in helping users understand their fertility in the menstrual cycle. This pilot study aimed to evaluate and compare the beginning, peak, and length of the fertile window as determined by a new luteinizing hormone (LH) fertility tracking app with the Clearblue Fertility Monitor (CBFM). <i>Materials and Methods</i>: A total of 30 women were randomized into either a quantitative Premom or a qualitative Easy@Home (EAH) LH testing system. The results of the two testing systems were compared with the results from the CBFM over three menstrual cycles of use. Potential LH levels for estimating the beginning of the fertile window were calculated along with user acceptability and satisfaction. <i>Results</i>: The estimates of peak fertility by the Premom and EAH LH testing were highly correlated with the CBFM peak results (R = 0.99, <i>p</i> < 0.001). The participants had higher satisfaction and ease-of-use ratings with the CBFM compared to the Premom and EAH LH testing systems. LH 95% confidence levels for estimating the beginning of the fertile window were provided for both the Premom and EAH LH testing results. <i>Conclusions</i>: Our pilot study findings suggest that the Premom and EAH LH fertility testing app can accurately detect impending ovulation for women and are easy to use at home. However, successful utilization of these low-cost LH testing tools and apps for fertility self-monitoring and family planning needs further evaluation with a large and more diverse population.https://www.mdpi.com/1648-9144/59/2/400mobile applicationsfertility monitoringluteinizing hormoneovulation detection |
| spellingShingle | Qiyan Mu Richard Jerome Fehring A Comparison of Two Hormonal Fertility Monitoring Systems for Ovulation Detection: A Pilot Study Medicina mobile applications fertility monitoring luteinizing hormone ovulation detection |
| title | A Comparison of Two Hormonal Fertility Monitoring Systems for Ovulation Detection: A Pilot Study |
| title_full | A Comparison of Two Hormonal Fertility Monitoring Systems for Ovulation Detection: A Pilot Study |
| title_fullStr | A Comparison of Two Hormonal Fertility Monitoring Systems for Ovulation Detection: A Pilot Study |
| title_full_unstemmed | A Comparison of Two Hormonal Fertility Monitoring Systems for Ovulation Detection: A Pilot Study |
| title_short | A Comparison of Two Hormonal Fertility Monitoring Systems for Ovulation Detection: A Pilot Study |
| title_sort | comparison of two hormonal fertility monitoring systems for ovulation detection a pilot study |
| topic | mobile applications fertility monitoring luteinizing hormone ovulation detection |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1648-9144/59/2/400 |
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