CRM : Center For Reproductive Medicine

June 25, 2008
By Kelly Burgess for iParenting.com

Three experts. Three high-tech tools. We asked three female fertility experts about three technological-based tools commonly used by women who are trying to conceive. Our experts are:

• Dr. Sejal Dharia Patel, an associate with the Center for Reproductive Medicine in Celebration, Fla., and an associate professor at the University of Central Florida.
• Dr. Eve Feinberg, reproductive endocrinologist and infertility specialist at the Fertility Centers of Illinois.
• Kristin Kali, midwife at MAIA Midwifery and Preconception Services in Orinda, Calif.

The tools they're evaluating for us are ovulation predictor kits (OPKs), personal computers (PCs) and home pregnancy tests (HPTs).

From dealing with women who may be having issues with fertility, as Drs. Dharia Patel and Feinberg do, to working with gay couples who may have limited access to sperm, as Kali does, these experts understand the importance of a woman's awareness of her cycle. "Women are only fertile a few days of every month," Kali says. "It can be crucial to know when those days are."

Ovulation Predictor Kits

What are they?

OPKs detect the surge in the production of luteinizing hormone (LH), which occurs roughly 36 hours before ovulation. Timing intercourse shortly after the LH surge can increase the odds of conception.

What's the cost?

$20 to $50 per kit (about a month's worth of tests)

What are the pros?

Dr. Feinberg says OPKs have allowed women to take charge of their fertility and to optimize timing of intercourse. Furthermore, Dr. Feinberg says they often prompt women to seek help sooner if they are made aware that they are not ovulating.

What are the cons?

They can be wrong. Dr. Dharia Patel notes that if you have elevated LH levels due to conditions such as polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), the test may not be accurate. It's estimated that OPKs do not work properly in approximately 1 percent of all users. It's also possible to have that LH surge and not ovulate. Alice Smith, of Chicago, Ill., says she found OPKs worked best for her if used in conjunction with a traditional basal body temperature chart. Kali agrees this dual approach is best, and it's one she recommends to her patients.

To sum it up...

OPKs are a great addition to traditional charting in providing a complete picture of a woman's cycle and any possible ovulation issues, but it's just part of the bigger picture. "I advise my patients to use OPKs in 1 or 2 cycles to get a sense of whether they are ovulating and on what day ovulation occurs," Dr. Feinberg says. "After they have gleaned that information, I think the utility of these tests declines as ovulation patterns tend to be consistent from month to month."

Personal Computers

What are they used for?

There's a wide variety of ovulation tracking software available, and the charts can be much easier to read and follow than that traditional pen and pencil method. This is particularly user friendly for people who already keep track of everything else on their computer. On another note, PCs connect hopeful mothers to a huge, virtual support community.

What are the pros?

PCs make it very easy and straightforward to keep track of data. The Internet also gives women who may be isolated by geography or by reticence a way to research fertility and get support from other women who are trying to get pregnant.

What are the cons?

The big one is misinformation. Dr. Dharia Patel says the goal should be to find verified sources that will provide accurate education and information. Don't put too much stock in stories other people tell, imply because everyone is different. For education, she notes that Preconception.com has well-verified sources. She also recommends the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (www.asrm.org).

To sum it up...

Just because Alice in Pittsburgh got pregnant on her 10th IVF cycle doesn't mean it will work for you. Listen to your doctor, and use verified, reliable sources in the course of researching a topic. "Utilizing anecdotal Internet sites, chat rooms and other unverified sources can cause a degree of anxiety over something that may not even apply to you," Dr. Dharia Patel says. "Something very simple can be blown completely out of proportion."

Home Pregnancy Tests

What are they?

HPTs look for a special hormone in the urine or blood that is only there when a woman is pregnant. They can detect pregnancy as early as 10 days after ovulation, several days before a missed period.

What's the cost?

$8 to $20 per kit.

What are the pros?

HPTs can confirm pregnancy sooner, allowing for earlier prenatal care. All three of our experts like that trend.

What are the cons?

They can be wrong, but that's rare. The main issue Dr. Feinberg has with pregnancy tests is that because they are so obtainable, many women start testing too early and may get false negative results, which causes unnecessary anxiety. Smith admits to falling into that trap – one that proved expensive – until she learned to be more patient and to use her chart in conjunction with the test.

To sum it up...

Pregnancy tests are fine to use as an early indicator of pregnancy. "If it's negative and you still feel pregnant, or feel something isn't right, call your doctor," Dr. Dharia Patel says. "By the same token, if it's positive, call your doctor immediately to begin pregnancy care."