Bristol University scientists develop phone app that can boost fertility chances

August 22, 2016

For first time women can predict when they will ovulate to boost chances
Internal device sits in vagina to record subtle changes every five minutes
Staffs mother Jenny Darlington called £129 device ‘smashing investment’

Mail on Sunday Reporter

Published:
19:19 EST, 20 August 2016

|
Updated:
07:47 EST, 21 August 2016

e-mail

View
comments

The £129 tampon shaped device sits in the vagina and can record subtle changes every five minutes to build a picture of a woman’s cycle

A ‘game-changing’ device that boosts women’s chances of becoming pregnant by accurately sensing when they will be most fertile has been developed by scientists.

For the first time, women can predict when they will ovulate – the optimum time to become pregnant – rather than finding out when ovulation has already begun.

The internal device, created by scientists from Bristol University, provides the most accurate measure yet of core body temperature, a clear indication of fertility.

At present kits exist that measure temperature via the mouth or skin. But this £129 tampon-shaped device sits in the vagina and records subtle changes every five minutes to build an accurate picture of a woman’s cycle, downloaded via the OvuSense app in the morning once the sensor has been removed.

OvuSense gives 24 hours’ notice of ovulation, along with a four-day ovulation window — and clinical tests suggest it is 99 per cent accurate.

Professor Toby Knowles said: ‘We’re very proud to have played a part in the development of such an advanced and reliable product… that has already helped so many women become pregnant.’

Two women, one procedure, 48 hours away from home’: Pregnant…

The remarkable story of the pioneering army doctor who told…

Jenny Darlington, 27, got pregnant soon after using OvuSense.

The mother-of-two from Cannock, Staffs, said: ‘I was diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) seven years ago but got pregnant. But when we tried for a second baby we ran into problems.

‘I was about to see a specialist when I came across OvuSense. [It showed] I was ovulating 38 days after my period rather than the 16-day average. Once I’d worked out when best to try, my partner and I conceived with little difficulty. It was a smashing investment.’

The device is being hailed as a ‘game-changer’ for women trying to get pregnant as for the first time, they will be able to predict when they are ovulating, the best time to attempt to get pregant