title: Use of ovulation predictor kits as adjuncts when using fertility awareness methods (FAMs): a pilot study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Difficult clinical signs such as confusing cervical mucus or erratic basal body temperature can make the use of fertility awareness methods (FAMs) difficult in some cases. The goal of this study was to assess the feasibility of using a cheap urinary luteinizing hormone (LH)-surge identification kit as an adjunct to identify the infertile phase after ovulation when facing these scenarios.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study used a block-allocation, crossover, 2-arm methodology (LH kit/FAM vs FAM only). Comparison of the 2 arms was done with regard to the accuracy of identification (yes/no) of the luteal phase in each cycle as confirmed by serum progesterone concentrations.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We recruited 23 Canadian women currently using FAM, aged 18 to 48 years, who have had menstrual cycles 25 to 35 days long for the past 3 months and perceive themselves to have difficulty with identifying the infertile phase after ovulation. LH kits identified 100% of the luteal phases, whereas FAM indentified 87% (statistically significant). In those identified cycles, LH kits provided a mean of 10.3 days of infertility, and FAM only provided 10 days of infertility (not statistically significant).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Among this population, LH kits may offer an adjunct for women who may wish to have an additional double-check. However, there are still clinical circumstances when even an LH kit does not provide confirmation. More research in this area is encouraged.
authors.affiliation: the Bruyère Research Institute, CT Lamont Primary Health Care Research Centre, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; the Department of Family Medicine, the Faculty of Medicine, and the Faculty of Nursing, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; and the College of Nursing, Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI.
authors.forename: Rene
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Leiva
authors.forename: Ula
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Burhan
authors.forename: Edmond
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kyrillos
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fehring
authors.forename: Robin
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: McLaren
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Dalzell
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tanguay
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D005260:Female; D046910:Fertile Period / Q000652:urine*; D006801:Humans; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000652:urine*; D008875:Middle Aged; D044384:Ovulation Prediction / Q000295:instrumentation*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D007986:Luteinizing Hormone
keywords: Fertility; Gynecology; Luteinizing Hormone; Natural Family Planning; Progesterone