Timing it right when trying to conceive

When luck doesn’t seem to be working for a woman who is trying to become pregnant, over-the-counter kits can help monitor ovulation to increase the odds of success.

“These kits can be useful,” says Dr. Victor Beshay, a fertility specialist at UT Southwestern Medical Center. “However, if a couple doesn’t conceive within 12 months – even with a kit – they should consult a doctor. A woman over 35 should consult after six months.”

Women with polycystic ovary syndrome or who are being treated with hormones should consult their doctors before using these commercially available test kits, he says. Two methods, available at drugstores or online, are most commonly used, Dr. Beshay says:

Basal body thermometer – Tracks a woman’s temperature in 1/10ths of a degree, and can help pinpoint the next ovulation. These tests, however, are not always reliable predictors, Dr. Beshay says. Thermometers cost less than $20.

Ovulation predictor – Measures a hormone in urine that surges just before ovulation. After a positive result, ovulation and maximum fertility occur within about 24 hours. Packs of urine testing strips can run $15-$40 per month.

Visit http://www.utsouthwestern.org/obgyn to learn more about UT Southwestern’s clinical services in gynecology and obstetrics.

Media Contact: Aline McKenzie