Cycle computer: function and reliability in the test
With a cycle computer you can easily determine the time of your ovulation and thus your fertile days. Read here which cycle computers are available, how they work and how safe they are.
Why use a cycle computer?
Do you want to get pregnant and therefore want to find out when you are ovulating and when you are fertile? You can use a special cycle computer for this, which is used both for contraception and for planning the desired child . The various cycle computers evaluate changes in body temperature, cervical mucus or hormone levels in the urine and show you whether it is a fertile or an infertile day . The following types of cycle computers and cycle testers to determine your fertile days are available in mail order and pharmacies:
- Temperature computer : measurement of basal body temperature
- Hormone computer : examination of hormone levels in the urine
- Combination computer : connection of temperature measurement and hormone level measurement
- Mucus and Saliva Microscopes : Viewing the cervical mucus or saliva under the microscope
In the following, we will introduce you to the three methods in more detail and then go into how safe and efficient they are. Overall, however, it is not advisable to use the cycle computer if the possibility of becoming pregnant is absolutely out of the question for a woman and she wants to be 100 percent sure.
Temperature based cycle computer
This type of cycle computer consists of an electronic thermometer connected to a mini computer. This cycle computer saves the measured data, interprets them and lets you understand whether there is a possibility of becoming pregnant or whether it is an infertile day. The best-known products are currently the Ladycomp (approx. EUR 350), the Babycomp (if you want to have children, approx. EUR 460) and the Pearly (approx. EUR 290). Increasingly popular and can therefore be viewed at any time. This is how it is usually applied:
- Measure your basal body temperature every morning .
- By pressing another button, you inform the cycle computer whether you are menstruating or not.
- The cycle computer then measures your temperature. At the time of ovulation, this increases slightly.
- After a short time you will receive a signal. If the light is red, it means you are in a fertile period. A green glow, on the other hand, indicates an infertile period.
- Note that the temperature measurement takes place in roughly the same time window every morning. Then the result of the cycle computer is more reliable.
The more individual temperatures stored by the computer, the more reliably it can determine your fertile time. For this reason, the “green days” become more frequent after a few months. However, clinical studies have shown that the effectiveness and safety of temperature computers vary greatly depending on the product used. And they are in no way comparable to contraceptive methods such as the pill. Below you will find more information and study results.