Cyclotest Reliability for Contraception
How Is The Pearl Index Calculated? Is It A Reliable Guide?
Cyclotest scored 1-3 on the Pearl index (see below). The Pearl index indicates the reliability of a contraception method: the lower the Pearl index, the more reliable the method. When 100 women use a particular contraception method for a period of one year (i.e. around 1200 cycles in total) and 3 women become unintentionally pregnant within this year, the Pearl index is 3.
The reliability of each contraception method is also dependent on the conscientiousness of the users. If a woman is proficient in using a particular contraception method, an increase in reliability can be achieved. The figures quoted below are refered to as the "non perfect use" figures, basically if you give the device to random women, give them the instructions and let them get on with it there will be human error entering into the scenario. The "perfect use" figures for Cyclotest reliability would probably be higher. For example if there were constant access to a doctor or coach for reviewing how the woman was using it, if she always checked her fertility status and made sure that she never had intercourse on fertile days then there would be hardly any pregnancies.
It's an interesting observation that the Pearl index figures for any type of contraceptive method could come out differently if the same medical trials were repeated with different users.
Just imagine, you take a brand new beige Vovlo Estate car and drive it on a quiet country lane early one Sunday morning when there are no other drivers about. You could repeate this 100 times and never have an accident. But if you take the same Vovlo, give the keys to a young, inexperienced driver and ask them to drive through London's rush hour 100 times there would be a statistically greater chance of an accident. However does that mean that the Vovlo is unsafe? So even though cyclotest is one of the highest scoring contraceptive methods, how YOU use it has a huge impact and YOU can stay in control of its reliability.
So How Reliable is Cyclotest?
Cyclotest offers a level of reliability of 97 % - 99 % and is therefore classified as one of the most reliable forms of contraception available on the market. Used with just the thermometer a reliability of 97% was demonstrated with women being left to use the device without supervision in a "non perfect" scenario.
Cyclotest’s reliability can increase even further if used within the framework of the symptothermal method, where a second fertility indicator is used, rising to 99% reliability.
It could be suggested that the women using the secondary fertility indicators were the more contientious users as they have to pay a bit more attention to how their body works and understand how their cycle effects their Fertility Window. This could imply that their more careful, controlled use added to the reliability figures aswell as cyclotest having the extra data to calculate ovulation.
| Pearl index* | For | Against | Price | |
| Contraception computer | ||||
| cyclotest | 1.0 - 3.0 | Very safe | Regular measurements | £ 149 (one-off) |
| Hormonal contraceptives | ||||
| Pill | 0.1 - 0.9 | Very safe | Side effects from high hormone dose | £ 10-20 (monthly) |
| Mini-pill | 0.5 - 3.0 | Very safe - hormone balance barely disturbed | cycle disruptions | £ 10-20 (monthly) |
| Three-monthly injection | 0.3 - 1.4 | "Forgetting" eliminated | Unevenly distributed hormone concentration; not easy to stop when a child is planned | approx. £ 30 (every 3 months) |
| Barrier contraceptives | ||||
| Condoms, coils, diaphragms | 0.9 - 20 | No intervention in organism; no hormone burden | Not always suitable; lack of skin contact (condoms); some side effects, user error | Varying costs |
Cyclotest Users
Cyclotest has been developed for women who are ready to take control of their contraception while living in harmony with their natural cycle. Cyclotest is designed for women who have a menstrual cycle of between 22 and 39 days. It is completely capable of adapting to varying cycle lengths so it can be used by most women, even those who experience short, long or irregular cycles.
Women who were previously taking hormonal contraceptive pills should let two menstrual periods pass before beginning to use Cyclotest. This is necessary in order to allow the body’s natural rhythm to return after hormonal suppression.
Cyclotest is not recommended to be used by those who work irregular hours (shiftwork), since temperature readings have to be taken regularly in the mornings within a 4 hour window.