Are there any tests or measuring devices to determine ovulation?
In the meantime, some tools have been developed to determine the time of ovulation and thus its fertile days. First of all, there are conventional apps that calculate the cycle by manually entering his regularly measured basal body temperature (body temperature at rest before getting up in the morning). However, these apps can be unreliable, as they require the woman’s cycle to be regular and the measurements to be accurate.
Newer measuring devices are based on different measuring methods. In most cases, the hormone concentration in the urine is measured to determine the time of ovulation. In addition, some of these devices can also include parameters such as basal body temperature or the consistency of the cervical mucus (mucus from the cervix, also called discharge) in the calculation.
A new type of bracelet, on the other hand, combines other body parameters to determine ovulation. For example, resting heart rate, skin temperature and various factors measured during sleep are offset against each other. The ovulation process itself cannot be detected by ultrasound.
However, it is possible to determine whether ovulation has occurred recently by observing the course of the ovulation. If the doctor was previously able to detect a mature follicle (egg cell including its cover) in the ovary, which is suddenly no longer visible after a few days when the ultrasound examination is repeated, it is obvious that ovulation has taken place. This suspicion can be additionally substantiated by a small amount of leaked fluid in the abdominal cavity. It is also possible that after ovulation, the corpus luteum (the rest of the ovulated follicle) is visible at the previous location of the ovulated follicle.
Can I use ovulation detection as a contraception method?
The so-called symptothermal method can be used for reliable ovulation detection for the purpose of contraception. However, certain measuring devices can also be used. In order to determine ovulation, the symptothermal method takes two main parameters into account: basal body temperature and the consistency of the cervical mucus (cervical mucus).
These two characteristics are measured at the same time every day, entered in a table and thus determine the individual cycle. As an aid to determining ovulation, one can also use a so-called cycle computer, which processes the measured values, or a measuring device, which measures the time of ovulation via the hormone concentration in the urine or other factors. Even though these contraceptive methods have no side effects compared to the contraceptive pill, the safety is not as high as when taking the pill regularly. Stress, excessive alcohol consumption or the use of certain medications can disrupt the female cycle and thus above all reduce the safety of the symptothermal method. The reliability of the measuring devices can also vary considerably depending on the manufacturer.
