FertilFocus

Our FertilFocus ovulation home diagnostic screening test is a 98% accurate saliva test - one of the most accurate and reliable tests to indicate when the women is at her most fertile time. The kit contains one reusable microscope ovulation test and an instruction leaflet.

Getting use to using the microscope takes no time at all. With a powerful glass 60X lens and gentle LED light. For best results, test in the morning before eating or drinking or brushing your teeth, and then record results on a calendar or fertility chart. Soon, you will recognise your unique saliva patterns that indicate infertile, fertile, and transitional periods.

Using FertilFocus is easy. Simply add a drop of saliva to the lens and let the sample dry completely. In five minutes, view the sample through the microscope. Press the LED light button and focus the eyepiece of the microscope to sharpen the image. If you are ovulating, or about to ovulate, a “ferning”, crystal-like pattern can be viewed.

For many years the ‘gold standard’ test for ovulation in hospitals has been based upon taking a sample of cervical mucus, placing it on a microscope slide and allowing it to dry, and see if it forms a distinct ‘ferning’ pattern. This test could only be performed reliably in hospitals or clinics but was generally a reliable indicator of ovulation.

The ferning pattern was believed to be caused by changes in oestrogen levels and certain minerals in the cervical mucus at ovulation. However, there is also a change in content of hormones and minerals in the saliva around the time of ovulation which causes the saliva to form fern like crystals when it dries. This phenomenon is used by a miniature microscope we have available which is a useful aid for the detection of ovulation.

The “fern” structure starts 3-4 days before ovulation and ends 2-3 days after ovulation ceases – the fertile period lasts less than one week. In practice this means that this simple device can help identify the right time of the month in which to have intercourse for the best chances of becoming pregnant.

During each menstrual cycle a single egg will develop and mature in the ovaries. Ovulation is the time when this mature egg is released into the fallopian tube. This usually happens around 16 days after the first day of the last menstrual period and a woman is only fertile for a few days around the time of ovulation – this is why it is important to know when ovulation occurs!

“Why is Ovulation relevant?” For women who want to become pregnant the best time to have intercourse is 2-3 days before ovulation, or on the day ovulation occurs.

In this way, sperm will be released into the vagina and travel towards the egg at just the right time – this period gives the best chances of fertilisation and therefore pregnancy.