|
Post by ouchy on Feb 28, 2006 19:17:48 GMT -5
This is so cool! I think I'm going to buy one of these as I am off the pill now and looking for a reliable way to find out if I am in a fertile time during my cycle. It's a saliva ovulation predictor microscope. I have been researching them today, and the best I have come across is by manufaturer Fertile-Focus (I compared occular magnification strength, type of stage--glass or plastic, and casing material of about 6 different manufacturers). Here is the website of the one I am going to buy. www.fertile-focus.com/ . Right now I am wanting to use this device (along with other methods--biofeedback and chemist) to know when to avoid unprotected intercourse during my potentially fertile days, but I also plan to use this device in the future when we are actually trying to conceive. From what I have read, this is a very good ovulation predictor even for women with irregular cycles, because you have an "intermediate" phase slide, when you know that ovulation is likely to occur within a few days. I think it is pretty cool, and I plan on testing my results with this saliva ovulation predictor with actual ovulation predictor test kit strips (sensitivity of 25 mIU/mL, which actually measure LH).
|
|
|
Post by ouchy on Mar 2, 2006 11:37:58 GMT -5
Oh, by the way, the scope works like this: salt crystals form in saliva (also in cervical mucus---but I'm just going to stick with saliva) in relation to elevated estrogen levels. The main estrogen surge happens during the follicular phase (first half of the menstrual cycle). You put a dab of saliva on this little microscope (about the size of a lipstick tube) and let it dry for 5 to 10 minutes. After that time, you press a little LED light and look for any salt crystal formations, which resemble ferns (like in a garden). If no "ferning" is present, you are in an infertile time. If you see a little ferning, you are in a transitional time, and ovulation will most likely happen within 3 to 5 days. If you see complete ferning, you are ovulating and most fertile. As there is a secondary estrogen spike during the lend of the luteal phase (second half of the cycle), you will see a little ferning right as your period should be approaching.
This is sooo cool! I always had irregular menstrual cycles, so this would even have been cool to have in high school so I would have known when I was going to get my period!!!
|
|
|
Post by Janet on Mar 2, 2006 14:24:13 GMT -5
I'd be careful with using it to avoid unprotected sex. Sperm live for 72 hours, so just cause you aren't ovulating today doesn't mean you wont' get pregnant having sex today, the sperm could hand around for your ovulation in 2 more days. Just sharing. Good Luck.
Janet
|
|
|
Post by ouchy on Mar 2, 2006 15:06:15 GMT -5
That is exactly WHY i like the saliva ovulation predictor. it gives you a 3 to 5 day "transition" slide that means ovulation is going to occur, the perfect time-length for abstaining from sex during the time-frame that sperm live! It is not like LH ovulation predictor kit test strips that measure LH (leutenizing hormone) and only tell you that ovulation is likely to occur within 12-24 hours. With the microscope you get a certain pattern without crystals for non-fertile, a transition slide with a few crystals that means ovulation is going to occur in 3 to 5 days, and a definite ovulation pattern, full of crystals which resemble ferns. I learned about this back in school when i was pre-med, but I had forgotten about it until now. I have a microscope, but this little one sounds so much more convenient. I can take it anywhere I will also be doing testing with the microscope and varifying with LH test strips for several cycles first, to make sure it is a reliable way of predicting ovulation before I trust it, even though I learned in school it is a very reliable method and has been used since the 60's in fertility clinics to detect fertile days. Also, while I will definitely take more caution during the follicular phase when I view transitional slides, if something happens and I have a "surprise" pregnancy, I am a married woman, and my husband and I are prepared for the consequences
|
|
|
Post by lynette on Mar 3, 2006 23:42:06 GMT -5
You have for sure done your research. That sounds easy and neat. It's amazing what science can do. Good luck.
|
|
|
Post by ouchy on Mar 7, 2006 13:42:18 GMT -5
thanks i got the little scope in the mail. i'll let you guys know if the crystal patterns become visible. it's so cute. it really looks like a little tube of lipstick. i'm not too keen on the green LED light, i would have preferred white, but we'll see how it works.
|
|
|
Post by ouchy on Mar 15, 2006 21:24:15 GMT -5
So far, I didn't see any "ferning" crystals before my period, but the dried saliva did appear to get thicker and splotchy when viewed under the lens. That happend for about 3 days prior to today. Today I started my period, and the slide is back to being clear. Thought I'd post this for anyone who is interested in the scope for future use.
|
|
|
Post by Janet on Mar 16, 2006 8:23:28 GMT -5
I guess I"m confused. Your are tracking ovulation right? That isn't right before your period, that should be 2 weeks before your period. I was wondering what you were looking for a few days before your period?
Janet
|
|
|
Post by ouchy on Mar 16, 2006 20:03:14 GMT -5
Hi, Janet. As you'll find in one of my earlier posts on this subject, there is a secondary estrogen spike during the luteal phase, so "ferning" will likely also be seen as the period is approaching, in addition to before and during ovulation.
Ferning happens just before and during ovulation, and also before the period.
On my slides, I saw that the saliva got thicker before my period, but I didn't see the typical "ferning." I have not reached ovulation yet-- that's hypothetically 2 weeks away, but I'm never regular, so we'll see. I'll keep posting on any remarkable results.
|
|
|
Post by Janet on Mar 22, 2006 16:19:28 GMT -5
Oh ok, I'm usually a bit distracted when reading the boards as I'm supposed to be working :lol Interested to see how that works out for you.
Janet
|
|
|
Post by ouchy on Apr 1, 2006 23:33:10 GMT -5
Day 18 and still waiting for empirical evidence of ovulation!
Saliva ovulation predictor--still showing negative
LH strips-- still showing negative, but faintly detecting LH. NOT positive until variable line is equal to or darker to that color of the control line.
Will retest each day until a positive! ...Hope I don't go 5 or 6 months w/out ovulating. I have a feeling that was what was happening way back when I would go 5 or 6 months without a period! (not considering while i was on continuous b.c. pills)
|
|
|
Post by ouchy on Apr 1, 2006 23:35:33 GMT -5
Day 19
Saliva Ovulation predictor: Saw what I think were a few crystals this morning--transitional phase?
LH strips: Definitely detecting LH. Still not positive result, but second line definitely getting darker. I bet by tomorrow I will get a positive test. These little test strips are so cool! It's so awesome to see what is going on with your body!
|
|
|
Post by ouchy on Apr 2, 2006 21:00:45 GMT -5
Day 20
Saliva Ovulation Microscope: negative
LH strips: aaaaaaaaaaaaalmost positive, but not quite
|
|
|
Post by ouchy on Apr 5, 2006 21:51:09 GMT -5
Ok. So it is now day 23 of the cycle. I had an allllllmost positive OPK (LH strip) on day 19. But no absoultely positive strip.
That means one of several things.
1) No ovulation 2) Weak ovulation, poor egg quality 3) Ovaries tried to ovulate and failed 4) LH strip went positive for several hours while I was asleep, in which case, I "should" ovulate by day 24-- like anything ever is normal w/ my body, though!
I think #4 is the most likely. Next cycle, I will use several LH strips throughout the day and even wake up at night to take the tests.
Microscopy: transitional for several days, still no "ferning."
Decision: definitely ask for hormone tests in June during my annual exam w/ my OBGYN. Grrrrrr! Time to get this hormone thing figured out once and for all!
|
|
|
Post by ouchy on Apr 5, 2006 21:53:33 GMT -5
I also wound up buying a BBT thermometer (basal body temperature thermometer), hoping to be able to have yet another ovulation sign--that it has occurred. If I don't get a temp spike that then falls, big time to ask the Dr. what is up w/ my anovulation! A lot of docs don't like BBT, saying it is unreliable. Oh well. I'll try anythying in hopes of more pieces of the puzzle!
|
|