If you are quite new to using OvuSense, you are most likely enjoying finding out more about your body and your cycle. Hopefully, you’ll be getting used to using your sensor at night and downloading your data in the morning. However you might be wondering what your data actually means for you and your fertility? 

If you have any questions, we have lots of support you can tap in to. If you have a technical question then the team in the office are on hand to help you and answer your query. You can reach them here [email protected]. If however you have a more medical question about your chart or your general fertility, feel free to email me on [email protected] and I’ll get right back to you.

To help you understand a little more about your OvuSense and what your cycles are telling you, I’ve put together some information on typical cycle patterns and what this means. Remember, every woman is different and if your cycles look complete different to the cycles below, don’t worry – get in touch with us and we can take a look and tell you what is happening for you.

Cycle Patterns

1. Late Ovulation and Short Luteal phase

Determining when you ovulate in a cycle is fundamental when trying to conceive. Many women assume that they ovulate right in the middle of their cycle but for a huge percentage of women, this is just not the case. Luckily, OvuSense is able to tell you when you ovulate so you can make the most of this time.

A late ovulation (ovulation occurs more than 2/3rds of the way through a cycle) is common in around 25% of OvuSense users.

In some women, a late ovulation is accompanied by a short luteal phase. The luteal phase is the time from ovulation to your next menstrual period. Ideally, this should be longer than 9 days in length.

What this means for you

 With the knowledge that you ovulate later in a cycle, you can adjust the time you have sex to improve your chances of conceiving. Remember though, it is important for good quality sperm that you are also having regular sex (every 2-3 days) throughout the cycle.

If you are finding that you regularly have a luteal phase which is 9 days or shorter, take the time to discuss this with your doctor and ask about possible treatment options. You can also email me for tips on how you can increase your luteal phase and to discuss natural remedies.

2. Early Ovulation and Slow Rise

Some OvuSense users notice that they have an early ovulation. This is when ovulation occurs around a 1/3rd of the way through your cycle. In extreme circumstances ovulation can occur during a menstrual period and before you start using the sensor.

Short Luteal Phase

Around 5% of OvuSense users have found that they have a ‘slow rise’ in some or all of their cycles. This is where your temperature graph will show a slow and steady increase over a number of days, rather than a steep rise over one or two days. If you have this cycle pattern you may not receive a prediction from OvuSense that you are about to ovulate, this is because the progesterone in your body is not being released sufficiently enough to cause a core body temperature rise that can be identified by the prediction algorithm. However you may still get a detection of ovulation after it occurs.

Slow Rise

What this means for you

 If you tend to ovulate earlier in the cycle, you may choose to ensure you are having regular sex early on. Sperm can live in the vagina for around 5 days, if you happen to ovulate later than usual you are more likely to get the timings right.

Knowing that you have a slow rise, it is advantageous to have sex regularly throughout the duration of the rise. You may wish to discuss your cycle pattern with your doctor as in some circumstances a slow rise can indicate PCO or diminished ovarian reserve.

 3. Constant Rise

We have found that approximately 1% of OvuSense Users have a ‘constant rise’ in some or all of their cycles. This shows that your progesterone levels are continuing to rise throughout the cycle. Similarly to a ‘slow rise’, you may not get advanced prediction of ovulation from your OvuSense with this pattern. This is because the curve is not rising fast enough to trigger ovulation.

Constant Rise

What this means for you

 In some, but not all cases a ‘constant rise’ pattern may be due to medication, particularly thyroxine or progesterone treatment. If you notice this pattern, please contact [email protected] or [email protected] so we can discuss your own individual situation. In no circumstance should you cease any medication prescribed for you by your doctor, without discussing it with your doctor first.

 4. False Start

Occasionally, you may notice what appears to be the start of an ovulatory temperature rise, however the temperature drops back to the lower level after 1 or 2 days. A ‘false start’ is generally followed a few days later by a true ovulation.

 

What this means for you

 This pattern is very common in women with PCO or PCOS. If you regularly notice this pattern and don’t currently have a diagnosis of PCO or PCOS, you may wish to speak with your doctor about having further investigations. You can also use OvuSense to track your cycles carefully and identify the true ovulation later in your cycle.

Book your FREE consultation with the OvuSense Fertility Nurse, Kate -  to assess your fertility potential, answer your burning fertility questions, get recommendations on how to optimize your fertility and have your charts analysed.

If you are an OvuSense customer you are entitled to a FREE 1 hour consult, if you are not currently using OvuSense you book a FREE 15 minute consultation. Consultations are held by Skype or Telephone. Don't see a time that suits you? Email Kate on [email protected]