INSIGHTS
The cervical mucus (billings ovulation) method is another fertility awareness-based method that is cheap and highly reliable, but correct use requires some training.
Monitoring basal body temperature can be a highly effective and inexpensive method of tracking fertility cycles, with success rates of as high as 99%, but only when it used correctly and consistently.
The luteinizing hormone (estrogen) measurement method can help increase pregnancy rates with the use of a simple kit.
FINDINGS
The basal body temperature and cervical mucus (billings ovulation) methods can be reliable and inexpensive, but correctly using them is not always easy. The luteinizing hormone (estrogen) measurement method is costlier but can be effective, only requiring simple equipment. Yet, it shouldn't be used by women taking medicines containing testosterone, estrogen or progesterone.
BASAL BODY TEMPERATURE METHOD
How it works:
This natural family planning method is one of the fertility awareness-based methods. A woman's basal body temperature is her body temperature when she's fully at rest, and it could rise slightly during ovulation. A woman is most fertile two to three days before her temperature rises, so keeping track of daily changes in basal body temperature is one way to predict when ovulation will occur, and hence, this could be a method to determine the most likely timing of conception.
Accuracy rate:
If used correctly and consistently, this method can be 99% effective in the first year of use, but inaccurate monitoring during a fertile period can result in a decrease in its effectiveness. In fact, many women have trouble using this method correctly and consistently, and only about 25% of women resorting to fertility awareness methods, including basal body temperature monitoring, succeed in becoming pregnant in the first year of use.
Type of equipment needed:
All it takes is a basal body temperature thermometer, and this method can be used at home.
Approximate cost:
The average price of basal body temperature thermometer is $20-$30.Popularity:
This method is popular because it doesn't require costly equipment and it can be done easily at home.
How well-regarded it is in the medical community:
This is a doctor-recommend method.
Any other useful information:
Women tend to mix the use of basal body temperature with another method of natural family planning, such as the cervical mucus method -- a combination known as the symptothermal method.CERVICAL MUCUS (BILLINGS OVULATION) METHOD
How it works:
The cervical mucus method, or the billings ovulation method, is another type of fertility awareness-based method. This method requires a close monitoring of mucus patterns during a menstrual cycle. Before ovulation, cervical secretions change to facilitate the transmission of sperms through the cervix, uterus and fallopian tubes to the egg. A woman can predict when ovulation will occur by recognizing changes in her cervical mucus, which can help determine the most likely timing of conception.
Accuracy rate:
In a small study of 12 cycles from six women, the most abundant type of fertile mucus was found to be correlated to one day after or before ovulation detected by ultrasonography. In a study of 148 cycles from 40 women, the correlation rate between mucus sensation and characteristics, and ovulation detected by ultrasonography was 48.3%. In another study of 215 cycles, in 74.4% of them, the cervical mucus‐detected methodology was successfully used to determine expected dates of ovulation correlated to one day before or after ultrasonography‐detected ovulation. A different study of 29 cycles from 15 women showed that the rates of sensitivity of detecting fertile mucus from vulvae and vaginas compared to one day after or before ultrasonography‐detected ovulation were 75.9% and 75.9%, respectively. The sensitivity rates rose to 96.9% for vulvae and 89.6% for vaginas when the period was extended to one day before and two days after ovulation.
Type of equipment needed:
This method can be used at home.
Approximate cost:
Free.
Popularity:
Women use this method widely because it doesn't cost much and doesn't have any side effects. Some women use this method for religious reasons.
How well-regarded it is in the medical community:
This method is recommended by doctors.
Any other useful information:
Correct use of this method usually requires formal training, as well as close daily monitoring. Also, the use of another type of contraception is typically needed for 10 to 17 days of each cycle.
LUTEINIZING HORMONE (ESTROGEN) MEASUREMENT METHOD
How it works:
Luteinizing hormone (LH) is an important hormone that affect sex organs in both women and men. For women, LH levels can indicate a problem with egg supply, and a test of LH levels in urine can be used to determine the timing of ovulation.
Accuracy rate:
An upward trend in the self-reported pregnancy rate was detected in a study primarily focused on psychological stress in women using urinary LH kits, although the odds of pregnancy among the respondents in this survey were statistically insignificant rate. Meanwhile, another study conducted in 2015 showed that timed intercourse based on urinary hormone monitoring was associated with an increased pregnancy rate.
Type of equipment needed:
It can be done at home with a luteinizing hormone kit.
Approximate cost:
$65 per kit.
Popularity:
This method is popular because it a test can be performed with a simple stick at home.
How well-regarded it is in the medical community:
It is recommended by doctors, except for women taking medicines containing testosterone, estrogen or progesterone.
Any other useful information:
Ovulation usually occurs around two weeks before a period, so the best timing for a test for a LH surge is about two or three days before ovulation, or about 16 days before a period starts. A LH surge normally occurs at that time, which results in a noticeable spike in LH levels. LH is usually produced in the morning, so a test in the afternoon or evening yields the best results. Also, to obtain the best results may require two tests a day because a surge is short and sudden in some women.
CONCLUSION
The basal body temperature and cervical mucus (billings ovulation) methods can be reliable fertility awareness-based methods, but only when used correctly. The LH (estrogen) measurement method is costlier but is still simple and can be effective, except for women taking medicines containing testosterone, estrogen or progesterone