Smartphone Technology Paired with a Vaginal Conforming Cap to Enhance the Fertility Awareness Method for Modern Women

Abstract

Background: Fertility Awareness Method (FAM) cost-effective and the safest contraceptive method yet it is rarely used. Objectives: A) Familiarize women, and clinicians with the enhancement to the fertility awareness method. B) Persuade investigators to validate this pilot study by providing additional research. C) Allow women to pinpoint the precise day of ovulation. Materials and Methods: We recruited 40 healthy women with regular periods to participate in this pilot research for 3 months. 20 used the traditional FAM with basal body temperature and fertile cervical mucus. The other 20 women used the conforming vaginal cap to collect their fertile cervical mucus (Spinnbarkeit). Starting at day 9 they collected samples directly from the cervix until they detected fertile mucus. We also instructed them to record their findings and any side effects. Results: Women using the vaginal conforming cap identified preovulatory fertile cervical secretions in 95% of cases. They also verified ovulation with a positive urinary L.H. (Luteinizing Hormone) surge. Basal Body Temperature charts were biphasic and consistent with the L.H. surge results. The control group who used the subjective detection were only 55% successful. Conclusions: Collecting mucus directly from the cervix yielded a large quantity and excellent quality of (Spinnbarkeit). This allowed women to pinpoint the day of ovulation with astonishing precision. This shortened the fertile window to 4 days for conception and 9 days for contraception. The Synergy created between the vaginal conforming cap and a Smartphone application will provide the safest, most cost-effective birth control without side effects