Persona Contraceptive Monitor - Questions and Answers
For your convenience, we have compiled a list of some of the most frequently asked questions regarding Persona. These answers serve as information only and are no way a substitute for thoroughly reading the manufacturer's instructions included in each Persona kit.
How would traveling abroad affect my testing time?
If you are going away for a long amount of time, you should consider calculating the difference in time zones and setting the 'm' Button to what would be your normal Testing Window while abroad. This could mean collecting your first urine sample of the day while at home for the part of your cycle before or after you travel. However, once the Test Window has been set, it is not possible to alter it after Day 5 of your cycle. Therefore, if you have already set the 'm ' Button before you travel, try to follow your normal routine, using the first urine flow of each morning.
What happens if I am ill during a cycle?
Common illnesses, such as colds, flu, and diarrhoea should not affect your fertility readings when using Persona. You should continue to use your monitor and perform all tests requested as usual. If this is not possible, the monitor will make a decision based on the information it has stored in its memory. As a result, you will probably have more 'Red' Days during subsequent cycles.
What if I forget to test?
If you forget to test when asked, the monitor will show a Red or Green Light at the end of your normal Testing Window. It will usually show a Red Light and you may have more 'Red' Days than usual during that cycle and those that follow. It is therefore very important to perform ALL tests requested by the monitor. You must use your first urine of the day in order to get a correct reading. If you miss a test and have an extra Test Stick left over at the end of your monthly cycle, you must throw it away. All Test Sticks used in any cycle must come from the same batch number.
How much will Persona cost to run?
The initial Starter Pack costs less than 100 pounds. After that the refill sticks for daily testing every cycle can be bought for about 15 pounds a pack which should last for one cycle. With an average of 12 cycles per year and a battery change after 6-9 months, the first year costs would be over 250 pounds. .
Can Persona potentially lose the information it stores about me?
Your most recent/current personal information (i.e last 6 cycles) is stored by the monitor. In order to keep the internal clock accurate, the monitor must have a constant supply of batteries. Therefore, it is recommended to replace the batteries within 4 weeks of the battery symbol appearing. Towards the end of this time the Book 4 symbol will appear to indicate that the batteries are almost exhausted and must be replaced immediately.
Can I use Persona if I am currently on medication or am suffering from a medical condition?
Always read the manufacturer's instructions for any medication you are currently taking before using Persona. Most medications (e.g. simple pain killers and cold remedies) should not affect the effectiveness of Persona. Remember, you MUST NOT use Persona while using hormonal treatments (e.g. the pill, fertility treatment or hormone replacement therapy). You should also not use Persona if you are taking any other treatment which may affect your cycle or antibiotics containing tetracyclines. If you have any doubts about whether the antibiotic you are currently taking contains tetracyclines, you should consult your pharmacist or doctor. You must not use Persona if you have impaired liver or kidney function, or polycystic ovarian syndrome. Please call the Persona Line for further advice or consult your doctor or pharmacist.
Can I start using Persona immediately after coming off the contraceptive pill?
Your cycle may be irregular after coming off hormonal contraceptives, therefore you must wait until you have had at least two natural consecutive cycles (between 23 - 35 days) and your third period starts before you begin using Persona. Some women may experience disrupted cycles for a longer time after coming off the pill. If you do not wait until you have had two consecutive cycles of 23 - 35 days, the reliability of Persona will be significantly reduced. The same applies if you have recently been pregnant (even if not carried to full term) or have just stopped breast feeding.
How long does it take for the Persona system to become reliable?
Persona is 94% reliable as soon as you begin to use it. Persona's reliability is dependent on being used according to the instructions and when it is the only method of contraception being used.
Are There Alternatives to the Messy and Costly Urine Test Sticks?
The simple answer to this is "Yes". There are now a range of contraceptive monitors that don't require the standard urination test, but work on a woman's body temperature change during her monthly cycle.
The advantage of these monitors is there is no requirement to buy testing sticks each and every month. Contraceptive monitors such as cyclotest come with a built-in thermometer which you use to take a daily temperature reading which in turn identify ovulation. 20 seconds every morning and your done - no messy urine samples!
This temperature information is stored and recorded by the contraceptive monitor and from this information the monitor can tell you when your fertile and non-fertile days are.
Cyclotest 2 Plus is a real stand-out monitor. Not only does it use your temperature data to dentify ovulation but as an optional extra it's able to test accept LH hormone level test results, like Persona. This double-check feature is unique in contraceptive monitors currently available in Europe. The result is an accuracy of 99% against Personas 96%. And if that's not enough reason to take a look at Cyclotest, within a years worth of normal use works out cheaper that a regular priced Persona.
For a comparison of Contraceptive Monitors, visit the Ethical Family Planning website.