Brown, Simon, Cooke, Delwyn G., and Blackwell, Leonard F. (2018) Does the use of ovulation monitors really increase pregnancy rates? Some things women should know. Applied Medical Informatics, 40 (3-4). pp. 81-89.

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Abstract

Ovulation monitors are widely used by women wishing to achieve pregnancy. However, there are few data substantiating claims that these devices enhance the probability of becoming pregnant. In one report it is concluded from the cumulative pregnancy rate that the use of the Clearblue Easy Fertility Monitor increased the pregnancy rate. In a second report, it is argued that the use of the Clearblue Digital Ovulation Test reduces the time taken to conceive. We reconsider these previously published data by analysing each cycle and show that use of such devices might have a small effect (ϕ ≈ 0.12, odds ratio = 2.1-2.2, relative risk = 1.9) in the first month of use, but has no significant effect (ϕ ≈ 0.01, odds ratio = 1.2, relative risk = 1.1-1.2) in the second month. However, the subjects recruited for these two trials had single cycle pregnancy rates (7-11%) that were more similar to those of women avoiding pregnancy (about 6%) than women trying to conceive (about 25%). Given this, there is a reason to suspect that the data that are available might not be representative of all women. Further work is required to test whether even this small transient effect can be replicated in women with higher pregnancy rates. Women should be aware of the limitations of these ovulation monitors.

Item ID:	56792
Item Type:	Article (Research - C1)
ISSN:	1224-5593
Keywords:	fertility; menstrual cycle; ovulation monitor; pregnancy
Copyright Information:	This article is published under a CC BY license, which allows users to copy, to create extracts, abstracts and new works from the Article, to alter and revise the Article, and to make commercial use of the Article (including reuse and/or resale of the Article by commercial entities), provided the user gives appropriate credit (with a link to the formal publication through the relevant DOI), provides a link to the license, indicates if changes were made and the licensor is not represented as endorsing the use made of the work.
Date Deposited:	15 Jan 2019 23:36
FoR Codes:	32 BIOMEDICAL AND CLINICAL SCIENCES > 3215 Reproductive medicine > 321503 Reproduction @ 30% 32 BIOMEDICAL AND CLINICAL SCIENCES > 3206 Medical biotechnology > 320602 Medical biotechnology diagnostics (incl. biosensors) @ 40% 49 MATHEMATICAL SCIENCES > 4905 Statistics > 490502 Biostatistics @ 30%
SEO Codes:	92 HEALTH > 9205 Specific Population Health (excl. Indigenous Health) > 920507 Womens Health @ 60% 92 HEALTH > 9202 Health and Support Services > 920203 Diagnostic Methods @ 40%
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