There is a wide variety of fertility products that couples can take advantage of to both determine their fertility level and to increase their chances of becoming pregnant. These can include charts and calendars, ovulation tests, fertility tests, thermometers, and informational materials. Additionally, there are some software programs that may help with certain fertility issues.
The most common and most basic fertility products are charts and calendars. Women who want to conceive may keep track of their menstrual cycles by using calendars to write down which days they started their periods as well as the days they ovulated. While doing this, it is a good idea to track daily basal body temperatures with a specialized thermometer. Internal temperatures change at various times of the month, and women may chart this information to use in combination with a calendar.
There are also a variety of commercial fertility products available in most pharmacies and grocery stores. Ovulation predictors work much the same as at home pregnancy tests, with a urine sample being needed to check for certain hormones secreted during that period of the monthly cycle. Other tests, which also use a urine sample, test for overall fertility by checking for certain hormones needed for ovulation and pregnancy.
Some couples may use fertility products such as books and medical information to learn as much as possible about increasing fertility. Studies have shown that there are certain substances men and women should avoid to increase their chances of pregnancy, such as marijuana and cigarettes. There may also be certain foods couples should eat and things women can do to prepare their bodies for the strenuous work of carrying a healthy pregnancy.
Software applications can also be fertility products. The Internet is full of websites with ovulation predictors and pregnancy probability tests, although these should only be used for fun. Some companies also sell programs which claim to be able to tell which days of the month a couple can conceive and which days they would be more likely to conceive a certain sex. Although the effectiveness of these programs has been questioned, some companies offer a money back guarantee.
Many fertility products can also be used for the opposite reason. Some couples chart their cycles and use ovulation predictors as a form of birth control. This is not generally recommended, as these products are not sold for those reasons.
Couples who believe they have fertility problems should consult a doctor to determine the reasons behind their inability to get pregnant. Many men and women have hormonal problems which require medical treatment. Fertility treatments, such as insemination, may also be needed. Hormonal problems should always be checked out and treated to rule out the possibility of a medical condition, and because hormone imbalance may lead to other health problems if left unchecked.
