Ovatel FAQ

In 99.9% of the time what you are actually seeing is/are fibers deposited on the surface of the slide during the manufacturing process.

Simply blow it away or use the cleaning cloth provided to clean it.

According to the FDA, Ovatel has been researched and demonstrates a 98% accuracy when used and interpreted correctly.
According to the CE Mark, the FDA counterpart in Europe, it is 95% accurate in predicting the onset of ovulation.

No, there are no side effects associated with the Ovatel scope. This monitor is 100% safe and natural because it uses your own saliva. Since you do not ingest or inhale anything, there can be no side effects.

You can use Ovatel any time and any day. You will want to wait 1-2 hours after eating, drinking, smoking, or brushing your teeth to get an accurate and reliable saliva sample.

No. While Ovatel can help determine when you are fertile, it should never be used as birth control. No ovulation kit or BBT can do that. Sperm can live up to 5 days in the female reproductive tract. Estrogen peaks approximately 24-48 hours prior to ovulation, when ferning occurs. If you have intercourse the days prior to ferning, you can get pregnant. Ovatel does not protect you against STDs – Sexually Transmitted Diseases.

The ferning pattern should decrease after ovulation, but if it starts to increase again for 5-6 consecutive days, it could be a sign of pregnancy or a persistent corpus luteum (the cyst that released the egg). This is because the main pregnancy hormones in the first few months are estrogen and progesterone. It’s possible that this persistent ferning is due to the estrogen of an early pregnancy. You will need to do a urine pregnancy test to confirm or see your doctor. Urine and blood pregancy tests can be positive 3 to 4 days before an expected period.

For best results, you should use a soft, lens cleaner provided or a water-dampened cloth to remove the dried saliva from the lens. To wipe dry, use cotton, micro-fiber, or another soft towel or cloth. Do not use tissue, paper towels, or other abrasive materials, as this will scratch the lens. Do not submerge Ovatel under the water. This can cause trapped water to enter the viewing area. Before placing Ovatel back into the case, blow off any adherent fibers.

There are some women who make higher amounts of estrogen all the time. This could be for many reasons, including low progesterone, ovarian cysts, or a condition known as polycystic ovarian syndrome. The most common reason for prolonged ferning is pregnancy! If you continue to see ferns all throughout your cycle, you should see your health care professional.

There are few reasons why you may not see anything. First, make sure your sample is totally dried before looking into the lens. You will also want to be in bright light, either a sunny window or bright lamp. Hold the lens in front of your eye and move it toward or away from your eye until you see something. Even if you do not see ferning, you should see something. If there is absolutely nothing there, clean Ovatel and trying again. Make sure your sample does not cover the entire lens.

There are few reasons why you may not see anything. First, make sure your sample is totally dried before looking into the lens. You will also want to be in bright light, either a sunny window or bright lamp. Hold the lens in front of your eye and move it toward or away from your eye till you see something. Even if you do not see ferning, you should see something. If there is absolutely nothing there, try cleaning Ovatel and trying again. Make sure your sample is not too much or too little.

Ovatel has been registered and cleared by the FDA since January 2002.

No. The saliva must air dry to crystallize. Using artificial dryers such as fans or blow dryers will push the saliva around (smearing it) and preventing.

Yes. If your sample is wet, you will not get a proper and accurate reading. It is the dried saliva that allows the ferning or crystallization to occur.

Not much at all. Just a film or enough to cover the end of the applicator. This will be about an 1 mm by 1 mm sample. You will place the saliva in the center of the lens. It should not reach the edge of the lens.

Yes, sometimes you can get results that are misleading. You can get incorrect results if:

• You are taking certain prescription medications
• Are pregnant or recently gave birth
• In or entering Menopause
• Eat, drink, smoke, or brush your teeth prior to testing
• Do not use enough saliva
• Use too much saliva
• Dry your slide with artificial means – dryer, fan, or heat

Do not allow your saliva to fully air dry before reading.

False positive results mean that you think you are seeing ferning, but it is not a fern or is an abnormal fern for other reasons.

False negative results mean that you are ovulating, but not seeing ferning.