The Accuracy of Web Sites and Cellular Phone Applications in Predicting the Fertile Window

Setton, Robert A.; Tierney, Christina; Tsai, Tony

doi:10.1097/aog.0000000000001341

Cited by 37 publications

(31 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…However, many cycle apps may not be helpful for accurately timing intercourse. 10,20 Analysis of the end-of-study questionnaire revealed that despite a higher average frequency of intercourse in the control group, use of the test system was associated with a higher conception rate. This supports the hypothesis that correct timing of intercourse increases likelihood of conception.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…19 However, using calendar methods alone to detect the fertile window and ovulation has been shown to lack predictive accuracy. 10,19,20 One study found that the probability of correctly identifying a woman's day of ovulation using cycle-tracking apps was no better than 21%. 10 Therefore, a method of identifying the fertile window that combines the accuracy of an ovulation test with the convenience of an app could be of benefit to women seeking to conceive.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Increased Likelihood of Pregnancy Using an App-Connected Ovulation Test System: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Johnson¹,

Stanford

Warren³

et al. 2020

Journal of Women's Health

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Background: Women trying to conceive are increasingly using fertility-tracking software applications to time intercourse. This study evaluated the difference in conception rates between women trying to conceive using an application-connected ovulation test system, which measures urinary luteinizing hormone and an estrogen metabolite, versus those trying without using ovulation testing. Materials and Methods: This home-based study involved 844 volunteers aged 18-40 years seeking to conceive. Volunteers randomized to the test arm were required to use the test system for the duration of the study while those randomized to the control arm were instructed not to use ovulation testing. Pregnancy rate differences across one and two cycles between the two groups were examined. Results: Volunteers in the test (n = 382) and control arms (n = 403) had similar baseline demographics. The proportion of women pregnant after one cycle was significantly greater in the test arm (25.4%) compared with the control arm (14.7%; p < 0.001). After two cycles, there continued to be a greater proportion of women pregnant in the test arm compared with the control arm (36.2% vs. 28.6%; p = 0.026). In the test arm, volunteers had intercourse less frequently per cycle compared with those not using ovulation testing (9 [range: 1-60] vs. 10 [range: 1-50]; p = 0.027), but were more likely to target intercourse to a particular part of their cycle compared with those not using ovulation testing (88.5% vs. 57.8%; p < 0.001).Conclusion: Using the test system to time intercourse within the fertile window increases the likelihood of conceiving within two menstrual cycles.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Increased Likelihood of Pregnancy Using an App-Connected Ovulation Test System: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Johnson¹,

Stanford

Warren³

et al. 2020

Journal of Women's Health

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show abstract

“…Some of the reported variability in the fertile window likely results from discrepancies in language used to describe both human ovulation and the fertile window itself (Setton et al, 2016).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ultradian Rhythms in Heart Rate Variability and Distal Body Temperature Anticipate the Luteinizing Hormone Surge Onset

Grant

Newman²,

Kriegsfeld

2020

Preprint

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The human menstrual cycle is characterized by predictable patterns of physiological change across timescales, yet non-invasive anticipation of key events is not yet possible at individual resolution. Although patterns of reproductive hormones across the menstrual cycle have been well characterized, monitoring these measures repeatedly to anticipate the preovulatory luteinizing hormone (LH) surge is not practical for fertility awareness. In the present study, we explored whether non-invasive and high frequency measures of distal body temperature (DBT), sleeping heart rate (HR), sleeping heart rate variability (HRV), and sleep timing could be used to anticipate the preovulatory LH surge in women. To test this possibility, we used signal processing to examine these measures across the menstrual cycle. Cycles were examined from both pre- (n=45 cycles) and perimenopausal (n=10 cycles) women using days of supra-surge threshold LH and dates of menstruation for all cycles. For a subset of cycles, urinary estradiol and progesterone metabolites were measured daily around the time of the LH surge. Wavelet analysis revealed a consistent inflection point of ultradian rhythm (2-5 h) power of DBT and HRV that enabled anticipation of the LH surge at least 2 days prior to its onset in 100% of individuals. In contrast, the power of ultradian rhythms in heart rate, circadian rhythms in body temperature, and metrics of sleep duration and sleep timing were not predictive of the LH surge. Together, the present findings reveal fluctuations in distal body temperature and heart rate variability that consistently anticipate the LH surge and may aid in fertility awareness.

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“…Patients may inquire about ovulation predictor kits or electronic apps for fertility. These tools vary in quality, and data on their usefulness are limited (12).…”

Section: Family Planning and Pregnancy Spacingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prepregnancy counseling

2019

Fertility and Sterility

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The goal of prepregnancy care is to reduce the risk of adverse health effects for the woman, fetus, and neonate by working with the woman to optimize health, address modifiable risk factors, and provide education about healthy pregnancy. All those planning to initiate a pregnancy should be counseled, including heterosexual, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, and gender nonconforming individuals. Counseling can begin with the following question: ''Would you like to become pregnant in the next year?'' Prepregnancy counseling is appropriate whether the reproductive-aged patient is currently using contraception or planning pregnancy. Because health status and risk factors can change over time, prepregnancy counseling should occur several times during a woman's reproductive lifespan, increasing her opportunity for education and potentially maximizing her reproductive and pregnancy outcomes. Many chronic medical conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, psychiatric illness, and thyroid disease have implications for pregnancy outcomes and should be optimally managed before pregnancy. Counseling patients about optimal intervals between pregnancies may be helpful to reduce future complications. Assessment of the need for sexually transmitted infection screening should be performed at the time of prepregnancy counseling. Women who present for prepregnancy counseling should be offered screening for the same genetic conditions as recommended for pregnant women. All patients should be routinely asked about their use of alcohol, nicotine products, and drugs, including prescription opioids and other medications used for nonmedical reasons. Screening for intimate partner violence should occur during prepregnancy counseling. Female prepregnancy folic acid supplementation should be encouraged to reduce the risk of neural tube defects.

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The Accuracy of Web Sites and Cellular Phone Applications in Predicting the Fertile Window

Cited by 37 publications

References 17 publications

Increased Likelihood of Pregnancy Using an App-Connected Ovulation Test System: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Increased Likelihood of Pregnancy Using an App-Connected Ovulation Test System: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Ultradian Rhythms in Heart Rate Variability and Distal Body Temperature Anticipate the Luteinizing Hormone Surge Onset

Prepregnancy counseling

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