ANSWERS BACK: TTCing? Have a question about Clearblue fertility, conception, and pregnancy products?

[AngelieMumsnet]

This week we're running a Q&A with Sally Haworth, a product specialist from Clearblue.

Sally will be able to offer support and advice about using the full range of Clearblue products (which include fertility monitors, ovulation tests, pregnancy tests and contraception monitors) when you are TTCing, experiencing infertility or about to POAS.

Sally has worked in the Customer Support Team at the Clearblue Innovation Centre for 12 years as a product specialist for ovulation tests, advising women on how to use Clearblue products to conceive or check for pregnancy confirmation.

Post your questions to Sally here before 8th September and we will send 20 questions over to Sally for her to respond to. We will then post her responses back on the thread on 17th September.

Everyone who adds a question (regardless of whether it's answered or not) will be entered into a prize draw where one MNer will win a £100 John Lewis voucher.

This Q&A is sponsored by Clearblue.

Thanks
MNHQ

I notice that the Conception Indicator is 92% accurate, is there anything that a woman can do to help ensure the accuracy is as high as possible? Are we still best of using first urine of the morning?

Why don't Clear blue sell just the sticks for the OV kit with dual hormone indicator? They suggest themselves that you should re-use the same holder, so why not sell just the sticks?

Why does the Advanced Fertility Monitor insist you keep testing after your peak and 1 following high have ended? This seems like a waste of money for those using. These things aren't cheap!

Can I use the ovulation kit if AF hasn't returned and I'm still breastfeeding?

Would you agree that your products are suitable for women TTC under a certain age? For example I am 39 years of age. I have noticed this year that my fertility monitor can no longer predict my cycles accurately. I am either going from low to peak or sticking on high. Previously I had no problems at all and my cycle length has not changed.

I have really irregular cycles - is there a particular time/day of the cycle you recommend using them to get the most accurate results?

Why are Clearblue digital tests less sensitive than the regular ones?

Can the digital ones be adapted so the result stays imprinted on the screen so it can be kept?

Do any other factors (eg eating certain foods) alter the accuracy of the tests? Is there anything strange we could be doing or avoiding to make sure we get the most accurate results?

Can dual hormone opk tests still be used by people with pcos?

I've heard a lot about the negative side of using ovulation predictor kits, in regards to increasing stress. Does Clear Blue offer any support/advice about this?

I'd be interested in knowing more about planned future developments too. Given that your company presumably works with scientists in specialist fields (I'm guessing?), what do you think (or hope) fertility testing will look like in the next 5/10 years?

I second TiredBadger's question!

When using the Ovulation Digital kit, does it matter if there's a smiley face one day and an empty circle the next (despite tests being done at the same time every day)? Also, why are these kits so expensive?!

I'm using a fertility app on my phone to track my periods and it tells me when I am fertile according to that. Do I need to use these ovulation sticks too? I've never used one.

I have never used any ovulation tests (before the mn trial), and I was wondering after using it one month,

Wouldn't be useful to create a new product that can store your ovulation peak times for a few months (like a digital calendar)?

So that woman can have a better idea of whether they are regular or not.

I know I could write it down in a calendar, (but then if you are like me, you would misplace the calendar every month)

If your periods are regular is there any real benefit to using the kits for more than a month as surely if your cycle is the same length each month you will ovulate on the same day??

Two questions!

I have PCOS which is quite common. I find that ovulation tests rarely work for me (I can predict ovulation quite well through cervical mucus and keeping track of my temperature). I don't understand why ovulation tests are so unreliable for women with PCOS and it would be useful to understand the science behind it and to find out what ovulation predictors might be more effective.

Second one - I understand it's powered by single use, very short lived battery but would it be possible to make a digital test that keeps the display longer so it can be kept (appreciate somebody else asked this too).

I have used ovulation tests before but wondered whether I should test more than once a day, could I miss a positive result from say testing in the morn but not the evening. What products would be best to prevent frequent testing as we are short of cash to buy the sticks x

I have recently had an early MC at 5w4 and just before I found out I was pregnant I bought the advanced CBFM. I was so excited to be pregnant, I didn't care that I'd lost the money for it!

Now I will be back to TTC. Doctors recommend waiting for one period so it's easier to date the pregnancy, would the CBFM also work after this time, given that it was such an early MC? My cycles are usually textbook.

Thanks for your help.

I have endometriosis and it causes irregular periods as well as other fertility issues. When should I use my fertility monitor when my cycles differ so much? Can the facility monitor work with the complications I have?

I've always used clearblue tests as most reliable, but will you make one that goes further than telling you your 1-2-3+ weeks?

Similar to beccaroo I recently had a m/c at 5w3. I've been using the ovulation sticks the last couple of weeks as from what I've read my next period could be at any point over the next 4-6 weeks and I'd like an idea of when I do ovulate. I have decided not to wait for for my period to TTC again.

I'd also like to know if the ovulation sticks are likely to be accurate following a m/c?

I would like to know how sensitive all the different hpt from clearblue are. The leaflets in the boxes don't say. Is there a reason for this?

Why is there such a perceived difference between blue and pink dye tests? Is it true blue ones are less reliable?

Another one that thinks the sticks should be able to be purchased separately from the device - such a waste!

I struggle with the duel hormone tests as I get flashing smilies for days or weeks before maybe getting a fixed - what might the reason for that be? It doesn't help pinpoint ovulation and we get a bit knackered!

Lastly, I did the trial is 2012 and saw you are doing it again - are there any results yet?

Is there any truth that you're more likely to conceive a boy or a girl depending on how close to ovulation conception takes place?