Ovulation Timing: Finding the Golden Window

While completely natural, fertility remains a tricky thing. As a woman grows physically and ages, she obviously undergoes changes. These features become defined and changes are noticeable. But internal changes occur as well. A woman’s fertility cycle changes–the very reason in family planning for needing accurate ovulation timing. A woman needs to understand her own body. And the key to understanding is knowing the right time to conceive. Couples will find the single most important factor in pinpointing their “golden window” is based upon the woman’s menstrual cycle, using dependable ovulation timing. Is her cycle regular? Or is it irregular? When does she have it and exactly how long does her cycle last? Having a basic understanding of her unique, individual menstrual cycle, some women can determine when they are ovulating. But ovulation timing often isn’t specific, unless she uses an advanced ovulation predictor. This is the quintessential key to conception–when a couple knows the woman is ovulating, they can do many things to ensure sperm is present and ready to fertilize her eggs.

Determining the Right Time

There are several different of methods available to assist couples determining when the woman is ovulating. Some keep a calendar or carry a day planner for ovulation timing. The woman simply records the day her cycle begins every month during the planning stages. This allows her to track the number of days in each cycle. Woman should know that ovulation timing is when eggs are released during the midpoint of their period. For example, woman who has a consistent 28-day cycle will begin to ovulate about 14 days after the day her last period begun. And women with longer cycles, like 34 days, will begin to ovulation about 17 days after her last period begun.

When to Conceive

When couples are trying to conceive a baby, it’s important for them to have sex not only as they regularly do, but often, especially on the days before ovulation. This will ensure sperm is waiting for the eggs:

“Sperm…can live in a woman’s reproductive tract for up to five days or perhaps even longer. Fertilization is possible as long as the sperm remain alive.” –Dr. Roger W. Harms, Obstetrician

What’s more is, couples should look for changes just before ovulation. There might be an increase in clear, slippery vaginal secretions which somewhat resemble raw egg whites. After ovulation occurs, the odds of conceiving lessen substantially and the same discharge becomes sticky and cloudy. Or, it might disappear completely. To better pinpoint ovulation timing, couples might use an ovulation predictor. These over-the-counter predictors kits are used to test a woman’s urine for a surge in hormones that occurs just prior to ovulation. But these kits only “predict” ovulation timing, they do not confirm it. Only one predictor, OV Watch, is advanced enough to identify the six day fertility window that should be used to guide the timing of the couple’s intercourse to maximize their changes of achieveing conception vs. just trying to pinpoint a short day or even a number of hours when ovulation occurs. The days leading to ovulation represent the best days for intercourse leading to conception and this has been proven in landmark clinical trials by very reputable clinicians.

Fertility prediction

Fertility Prediction and Intrauterine Insemination

There are many factors which determine if a woman may become pregnant. Even those couples using fertility prediction along with other measures whom are perfectly healthy may not conceive. Though intrauterine insemination is a clinical procedure, it is not guaranteed results:

The hoped-for outcome of intrauterine insemination is for the sperm to swim into the fallopian tubes and fertilize a waiting egg, resulting in a normal pregnancy.Mayo Clinic

There may be only one or several attempts using both fertility prediction and intrauterine insemination. If the woman still does not become pregnant, other methods can be used, including fertility prediction.

The Intrauterine Insemination Process

Intrauterine insemination is often performed in a doctor’s office, while fertility prediction is usually done by the couple or in concert with other medical tests. If the couple is judged based on medical factors to be healthy and able to conceive, the insemination process begins using fertility prediction to determine when it should be done.

The Husband’s Role

The process includes the male ejactulating into a specialized condom, known as a “collection condom”. Men are often asked to refrain from any type of sexual activity causing ejaculation two or three days in advance of providing their ejaculate to increase sperm count. Once collected, the sperm is “washed” and subjected to concentration by using L-glutamine free Hams F10 media.

The Wife’s Role

In addition, the woman is monitored with fertility prediction devices in order to determine when she is most fertile. Once the fertility prediction identifies the woman’s fertile cycle, the insemination process can begin. The husband’s washed and concentrated sperm is then inserted manually into the wife’s uterus.

After the procedure, no more fertility prediction is necessary, unless the wife fails to become pregnant. However, if the wife does not become pregnant, fertility prediction then again becomes necessary. The success rate of the majority of intrauterine insemination ranges from 60 percent to 70 percent over six cycles, with an average rate 15 percent to 20 percent successful during each cycle. A clinical study by the United States Air Force,  found equivalent results in pregnancy rate using only the OV-Watch vs.  a control group that submitted to fertility prediction ultrasound testing and frequent physician visits.  Both groups used Clomid–the name brand of a fertility drug containing clomiphene citrate.

OV Watch is the state of the art in fertility prediction. It does not require messy pee sticks or disrupting your day. You simply wear the watch at night and a digital display clearly determines when you are most likely to become pregnant.

Ovulation timing

Ovulation Timing, Health and Egg Viability

Because of the precipitous drop in egg count, ovulation timing is one of the most important factors in family planning. In conjunction with ovulation timing are health and egg viability. The issue is somewhat compounded and a woman’s health and her viability to routinely produce eggs each month. Once fertilized, eggs need to be able to adhere to the wall of the uterus. However, this is more of a full term delivery issue than a conception issue. Some women continue to ovulate into their 40’s with healthy eggs but this is not normal. So, it is important that women above 30 to 35 understand their fertility, the quality of their eggs and accurate ovulation timing which will be most beneficial in identifying their fertility window so as not to waste good cycles. OV Watch does just that.

Family Planning, Gender and Other Statistics

Many couples are plagued not only with such things as ovulation timing but the health of their newly conceived baby. Other concerns are about gender as well as personality traits. For instance, there are theories as to the baby’s gender according to the timing in relation to ovulation. Such assumptions about ovulation timing and subsequent intercourse have held the gender of the baby is determined. However, no conclusive links could be found in a study published by the New England Journal of Medicine, “Timing of Sexual Intercourse in Relation to Ovulation — Effects on the Probability of Conception, Survival of the Pregnancy, and Sex of the Baby”.

Mother and Baby Health

A woman’s eggs are among the first concern during the family planning cycle. The health of her husband and his sperm LINK TO ALL SPERM IS NOT THE SAME are also of concern. Men should be aware it is their sperm which must overcome the great task of swimming “upstream”. All things being equal, ovulation timing is important after a woman has been given a clean bill of health by her physician. Therefore, knowing when she is most fertile is of the utmost importance to becoming pregnant in a timely manner. Otherwise, several weeks or even months might pass if a couple is not using the most reliable method of ovulation timing.

Success rates for conception are substantially higher when a couple plans conscientiously. This includes not only being of the same mind, but on the same schedule. Traditional ovulation timing methods only have a modicum of success because they produce only estimation. While couples using OV Watch know precisely when their fertility window will occur and can plan accordingly.

Infertility

Infertility and Age

In her 20′s, a woman’s chance of conceiving ranges between 20 and 25 percent each month. This is directly in relation to her relatively high number of eggs. Though by the age of 27 the average egg count has dropped by 90 percent from the time she is born, 10 percent remain. And 10 percent is absolutely enough to become pregnant during her 20′s with a healthy baby. However, even the most healthy of women must take prenatal vitamins:

It is important for all women contemplating pregnancy to start prenatal vitamins at least one month prior to starting to try to become pregnant since there is evidence that extra folic acid prior to pregnancy decrease the incidence of certain types of birth defects.–Southern California Center for Reproductive Medicine

However, women in their 20′s unable to conceive after 12 months may be suffering from some form of infertility and should seek the advice of her physician.

In her early 30′s, a woman’s chance of becoming pregnant drops from between 20 percent and 25 percent to approximately 15 percent monthly. This drop in percentage is a natural result of aging. As a woman ages, she produces less viable eggs each fertility cycle, hence driving up infertility as less eggs are available for sperm to reach. Extra omega 3 fatty acid supplements are also recommended by the Southern California Center for Reproductive Medicine.

In her late 30′s–those over 35 years of age–a woman’s chance of getting pregnant falls yet again to just 10 percent per month. Both women in their early and late 30′s unable to become pregnant after 6 months of trying might have an infertility problem.

By her 40′s, a woman’s chance of becoming pregnant per month falls to just 5 percent from 10 percent. Women in their 40′s trying to become pregnant should seek medical advice from their doctor after 3 months of trying but not succeeding in becoming pregnant.

Age and Miscarriage

With age comes a greater risk of normal infertility cycles or low fertility cycles as less viable eggs are produced. But also with age comes a greater risk of miscarriage after conceiving. As with dwindling egg and success rates during aging, conversely, miscarriage rates rise. These may or may not be the after effects of infertility treatment.

In their 20′s, miscarriage rates are just 5 percent to 10 percent. Women in their early 30′s have a miscarriage rate of about 20 percent. Women between 35 and 40 years of age have a 25 percent miscarriage rate. The rate increases to 33 percent among women in the 40′s.

This explains why family planning and knowing when to have intercourse is so vital to not wasting valuable time.

In the age of the iPhone, iPad and on-demand television viewing, advanced technology can bring both high quality standards while simultaneously providing convenience and ease of use. Ovulation prediction shouldn’t rely on out-of-date technology or a “best guess”.

Technology and Convenience in Ovulation Prediction

Ovulation prediction is most often done by measuring a woman’s LH or Luteinizing hormone. The Luteinizing hormone, also called “lutropin” is produced by the anterior pituitary gland. When LH levels surge in a woman’s body, ovulation is triggered. However, it is important to note this is an ovulation prediction and not confirmation of ovulation. Therefore, ovulation prediction does not mean it’s actually occurred, only that it will occur. The question then becomes when will ovulation occur? This depends on an individual basis. What’s more is these LH kits are complicated ovulation prediction devices which require a substantial amount of advanced planning to use:

…determine the length (number of days) of your normal menstrual cycle. This is the number of days from the 1st day of full menstrual bleeding to the day before the bleeding begins again. If your cycle lengths may vary from cycle to cycle (for example, 28-31 days), use the shortest cycle you had in the past 6 months to determine when to initiate LH testing. –Dallas-Fort Worth Fertility Associates

That is certainly a lot to consider just to take a “simple” test. Even if LH ovulation prediction tests were made less messy and less time consuming, they still would be only an approximation of coming ovulation. There simply is no guarantee as to the timing of a woman’s fertile window when using ovulation prediction kits that don’t confirm the release of eggs.

Convenience and Confirmation

The OV-Watch is a technologically advanced product that uses superior technologies to accurately predict a woman’s entire fertile window–doing so without the use of any body fluids. Instead of taking time out of your day–the same time everyday–to use an LH ovulation prediction test, women begin wearing OV-Watch on the 1st, 2nd or 3rd day of their menses. Moreover, all that is needed is to wear the small, lightweight and comfortable watch to bed. Each morning, simply slip it off your wrist, until the fertile window begins. Furthermore, all ovulation prediction readings are displayed clearly in digital text and require absolutely no interpretation whatsoever. Messages will appear like “Fertile Day 1” clearly telling you when you’ll be most fertile. That’s convenience no other ovulation prediction test can offer.

Simplicity Over Complication

There’s enough to do when planning a family. From choosing the right obstetrician to the right hospital and color coordinating the nursery. OV-Watch lets you get on with your daily life uninterrupted, proving simplicity trumps complicity one baby at a time.

Clomid is a name brand of the generic fertility drug “clomiphene citrate”. This female cycle stabilizer is also sold under the brand name “Serophene”. Regardless of the name brand, the function is the same. It is used by couples in the later stages of family planning who have yet to be successful in conceiving. Couples turn to Clomid or Serophene to deal with problematic infertility because it helps to make a woman ovulate on a more regular basis:

Clomiphene is used to induce ovulation (egg production) in women who do not produce ova (eggs) but wish to become pregnant (infertility). Clomiphene is in a class of medications called ovulatory stimulants. It works similarly to estrogen, a female hormone that causes eggs to develop in the ovaries and be released. –U.S. National Library of Medicine

It is the most widely used fertility supplement or regiment in the United States. The reasons for its popularity is because it is far less expensive than other fertility options. It has an 80 percent success rate for the nearly 25 percent of women who deal with infertility.

When is Clomid or Serophene Used?

Clomid is a go-to option for women who do not have blocked Fallopian tubes but do have trouble with regular, natural ovulation. It is often used in cases where a women suffers from a condition of menstruation without ovulation, more commonly known as “anovulatory cycles”, women with irregular cycles and women with PCOS or “polycystic ovarian syndrome” [link to What is PCOS and How Does it Effect Pregnancy Predictors?].

In some instances, Clomid or Serophene is used in intrauterine insemination procedures or IUI procedures and is very rarely used in conjunction with In Vitro Fertilization or IVF treatments.

How is Clomid or Serophene Administered?

Unlike In Vitro Fertilization and other infertility treatments, Serophene or Clomid are not administered by injection or any type of implantation. Rather, it is taken orally, in the form of a pill. In the majority of cases, it is only 50 milligrams and is taken on days 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 of the patient’s cycle or on days 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9. But it is not uncommon for the monthly regiment to begin on day 2, 3, 4 or 5–it is prescribed on a case-by-case basis.

If the 50 milligram dosage does not produce the desired results for the couple, the patient’s physician typically increases the dosage gradually in increments specific to the patient until reaching a dosage of 150 milligrams. Studies have consistently shown that dosages in excess of 150 milligrams might seriously retard fertility chances.

What are the Side Effects of Clomid and Serophene?

Because both name brand drugs are clomiphene citrate, each has similar side effects which some patients experience during their time on the drug. Most side effects are mild to moderate. But some can be more severe. The overall severity of side effects depends on the patient. However, common side effects are:

…hot flashes and premenstrual-type symptoms, such as migraines and breast discomfort (particularly if they have fibrocystic disease of the breasts). Visual symptoms such as spots, flashes or blurry vision are less common and indicate that treatment should stop. –the International Council on Infertility Information Dissemination

However, other sides effects known to be associated with Clomid and Serophene are twin, triplets, quadruplets and quintuplets. The percentage of women taking clomiphene citrate having twins were 6.9 percent, 0.5 percent had triplets, 0.3 percent had quadruplets and 0.1 percent gave birth to quintuplets.

Can Clomid and Serophene Be Used with OV-Watch?

Yes, it can. In fact, studies have shown that while on a Clomid or Serophene increases the predictability of a women’s cycle or fertility window, giving couples a better success rate at becoming pregnant. This is because OV-Watch does not interfere with a woman’s body chemistry in any way. Instead, it uses a woman’s body chemistry to accurately predict the time in which she is most likely to become pregnant.

Polycystic ovary syndrome is a condition in which there is an imbalance of a woman’s female sex hormones. This hormone imbalance may cause changes in the menstrual cycle, skin changes, small cysts in the ovaries, trouble getting pregnant, and other problems. Female sex hormones include estrogen and progesterone, as well as hormones called androgens. Androgens, often called “male hormones,” are also present in women, but in different amounts.

Hormones help regulate the normal development of eggs in the ovaries during each menstrual cycle. Polycystic ovary syndrome is related to an imbalance in these female sex hormones. Too much androgen hormone is made, along with changes in other hormone levels.–National Center for Biotechnology Information, U.S. National Library of Medicine

How PCOS Affect Pregnancy Predictors

Many of the most widely used fertility predictors available in the United States are based on decades-old or even older science which uses the Luteinizing hormone or LH as an indication of a woman’s impending ovulation. However, considerable research conducted in Europe and the Untied States has shown although LH testing does alert the user to a lutropin surge, it does not indicate with any certainty that ovulation has, is or will occur.

Moreover, the condition PCOS can interfere with urine LH readings. PCOS is also able to cause sustained high LH readings for multiple, consecutive days. However, such consecutive high LH results levels, may or may not, immediately precede pending ovulation. In other words, women suffering from Polycystic Ovary Syndrome cannot rely on LH based feritily predicators because the results are not sufficiently accurate to plan a time to get pregnant.

Symptoms of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Like any other conditions, the symptoms of PCOS are both internal and external. Some are more obvious than others and many women suffering from Polycystic Ovary Syndrome will be alerted by noticeable changes in their menstrual cycle, hair, skin conditions and of course problems with fertility:

Infrequent or prolonged menstrual periods, excess hair growth, acne and obesity can all occur in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. In adolescents, infrequent or absent menstruation may signal the condition. In women past adolescence, difficulty becoming pregnant or unexplained weight gain may be the first sign.

The exact cause of polycystic ovary syndrome is unknown. Early diagnosis and treatment may reduce the risk of long-term complications, such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease.–Mayo Clinic

Any woman attempting to become pregnant experiencing one or more of these symptoms should report any problems to their physician immediately. Treatment options are available and should be dealt with only with a licensed physician.

OV-Watch and Women with PCOS Diagnosis

Women in the early, medium or latter stages of family planning having being diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome should never rely on LH or Luteinizing hormone based tests as they will produce inaccurate results. However, even women with PCOS diagnosis can use OV-Watch as normal. This is because OV-Watch does not in part or whole rely on Luteinizing hormone testing to determine ovulation.

Instead, OV-Watch monitors certain salts expelled in perspiration such as chloride, sodium, potassium during a woman’s menstrual cycle with advanced biosensor technology. OV-Watch measures a woman’s chloride ion levels and uses the measurements to deliver a digital readout which clearly shows her fertile window. Couples using OV-Watch will be aware of when they are most likely to conceive and will not be rushed.

“An ovulation home test is used by women to help identify the time in the menstrual cycle when they’re most likely to become pregnant

The test works by detecting a rise in luteinizing hormone (LH) in the urine. Such a rise, or surge, signals the ovary to release the egg. This at-home test is often used by women to help predict ovulation.” –MedLine Plus, A Service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine and National Institutes of Health

However, the LH levels do not account for certain physical and physiological changes. These tests only measure one of many criteria to determine the ovulation period because it is known that the “LH” surge prompts ovulation though these levels are not consistent:

“LH levels vary during the menstrual cycle, and peak prior to ovulation. In fact, it is the surge of LH production (called the LH surge) which induces ovulation in a normal woman. It is this LH surge which is measured by the home ovulation test kits (OPKs, ovulation prediction kits) which check for LH levels in the urine.” –Malpani Infertility Clinic

But there are problems with making the assumption that ovulation will occur 24 hours from the when the urine LH test indicates a high reading.

The first is mentioned above–the normal baseline level of LH is very low except for the end of hormonal cycle peak that often precedes ovulation. This LH peak reading is a spike that occurs over a period of approximately 24 hours. This means women testing at different times of the day are not finding their true baseline. Because testing is done on an irregular basis, couples cannot truly determine if they are on the upside or downside of the LH surge.

Another problem is even in the instance the peak is pinpointed, there is great variance among women. Though it is generally thought that ovulation occurs after the 24 LH surge, the variation in women can be great. For instance, some women will release eggs 12 hours after the LH peak while others may release eggs up to 36 hours after the LH peak.

Lastly, using such kits does not guarantee results as there is a percentage of women for whom LH testing kits simply do not work:

“Unfortunately, about 10% of women who use ovulation kits will not find a positive LH test result and will need their physician’s help to improve fertility timing.” –Colorado Reproductive Endocrinology

This is where OV Watch differs. It does not rely on “guesswork” based on outdated methodologies. Rather, OV Watch uses state-of-the-art science to accurately identify a woman’s fertile window well in advance of it actually happening. Not only is OV Watch constructed on cutting-edge technology, is it fashioned to be lightweight and easy to use.

As commonly known, both physical characteristics as well as behavior have an impact on an unborn child as he or she develops during the pregnancy. This not only includes weight, but height, general health, as well as lifestyle habits such as drinking and smoking.

Obesity’s Affect on Pregnancy

While it may not seem to have a substantial impact on a fetus’ development during the nine to ten month term over three trimesters, obesity can cause as much harm as smoking, drinking and drugs. Though some might be more severe than others, each has a direct impact on the life and development of the child in the womb.

Obese women should be informed of the risks associated with maternal obesity, be screened for gestational diabetes, and be assessed for the need for supplements of vitamins and minerals, including folate. Obese women should be advised to gain less weight than other women — 15 pounds compared to 25 to 35 for women who were normal weight before pregnancy.” –American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, “Obesity in Pregnancy”, September 2005

The Journal of the American Medical Association found the below correlations with obesity and birth defects:

• Risk of spina bifida is over two times higher for obese pregnant women, and the overall risk of neural tube defects is almost twice as high.
• Risk of cardiovascular defects is 30% higher.
• Risk of cleft palate and cleft lip, either singly or coupled, is approximately 20% higher.
• Risk of hydrocephaly (an abnormal buildup of fluid in the brain) is 60% higher.
• Limb reduction abnormalities are 30% higher.

Though the Journal used data compiled from different studies, it used the World Health Organization’s standard to define individuals with a BMI or body mass index of 25 to be overweight, while individuals with a BMI of 30 or over to be obese.

“Comparing the self-reports of actual and ideal weights, the average man weighs 15 pounds more than his ideal today, compared with 9 pounds in 1990. The average woman weighs 22 pounds more than her ideal today, compared with 13 pounds in 1990. ” –Gallup’s Annual Health and Healthcare Survey, 2011

Fertility Prediction

Women who are obese might find that using common fertility prediction kits results in inaccurate readings. Most will be realized after several failed attempts to conceive. This is, in part, because of physical attraction and because of physical condition, The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found in a 2008 study. In other words, women who are obese are less attractive in the eyes of their partner and obesity also is thought to have an adverse affect on fertility prediction.

OV-Watch actually can be used by obese women to determine when the are not in their fertile window or the absence of ovulation due to PCOS or Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome–a condition common to obese women. However, obese women should always consult their doctor before trying to conceive to learn of possible health risks that might occur to herself and her baby.

An egg is generally viable (meaning healthy enough to be fertilized) for about 5 to 7 hours. On the other hand, a man’s sperm can last 5 to 7 days in a woman’s reproductive system depending on the conditions of her system. Therefore, it is important for the sperm to be waiting for the egg, rather than the egg waiting for the sperm.

LH or Urine Testing

Perhaps the most widely known and used method of ovulation prediction are LH strips or those that use urine samples. Most LH based urine testing devices provide a very short predictive window of pending ovulation. However more advanced fertility prediction devices like the OV-Watch provide up to four days notice of pending ovulation. And that makes all the difference in the world because it provides couples more time for planning. Less stress, less rush and more romance are important to maintain a health relationship as well as a happy mind. Using urine strips and charting temperature to identify when you are ovulating can be messy and also lead to inaccurate results.

Predictability

Unfortunately, no amount of LH testing through urine samples will tell a woman if she is actually ovulating. These indicators are simply to measure LH levels, which are one sign of ovulation occurring or nearing occurrence:

“Ovulation predictor kits determine whether the luteinizing hormone (LH) is detected. The luteinizing hormone (LH) rises right before ovulation occurs. Therefore the kits are supposed to detect whether you’re going to ovulate but cannot ensure that you do ovulate.” American Pregnancy Association

This distinction is of the utmost importance for a couple wanting to conceive and start a family together. Because LH testing does not effectively alert a woman as to her true time of ovulation, it can lead to much frustration. Moreover, high LH levels not only signal possible or current ovulation, they might also be a sign of the following:

“Women may have a high level of the LH if they have certain conditions such as polycystic ovaries, premature ovarian failure (POF), or for women over age 40 who are experiencing perimenopause. Any of these conditions could result in a false positive result on an ovulation predictor test.” American Pregnancy Association

Women testing consistently or regularly for high LH levels should see their doctors immediately to be informed of any possible health conditions or risks. This will ensure proper caution is taken and make for a happy and healthy pregnancy.

Certainty in Advanced Technology

Unlike LH/urine prediction tests, OV-Watch uses the latest in technology to determine when a woman will go through her fertile period. It does not require you to take time out of your day or to drink a glass of water to produce urine. Instead, OV-Watch will measure chlorine-ions in your perspiration while you sleep. Special OV-Watch sensors work during your natural sleep cycle. When you wake, you’ll know exactly when your fertile period will occur, giving you the time to plan ahead and keep from rushing.