Table 1

Description of included studies and reported outcomes for the PICO review

AuthorStudy location and population characteristicsIntervention descriptionStudy methodsReported outcomes
Anderson et al, 199621Scotland (Edinburgh)
Women using donor insemination services
Age: average 32–33
Intervention: Home ovulation test kit of participant's choice: all kits used a quantitative colour change which was compared with a reference colour, equivalent to LH concentration of 2.5 IU/L)
Urine specimen collected at home
Device: Conceive (Quidel, San Diego, USA), Clearplan (Unipath, Bedford, UK) or Predictor (Schefaro International BP, Rotterdam, Netherlands)
Control: Urinary fertility monitoring with lab LH surge testing
Study design: Prospective cohort study
Sample size: 117
(Intervention: 64, Control: 53)
Length of follow-up: 6 cycles
2. Pregnancy
Leader et al, 199222Australia (Sydney)
Couples with unexplained infertility or whose fertility was thought to be due to reduced sperm motility
Age: range 21–43
Intervention: Commercially available urinary fertility monitor (levels of E3G and LH to estimate fertility status); provided OPK and given instructions on usage
Urine specimen collected at fertility clinic (donor insemination)
Device: Clearplan (Fisons Consumer Health, Sydney)
Control: Information about best time of menstrual cycle to achieve pregnancy
Study design: RCT
Sample size: 160
(Intervention: 80, Control: 80)
Length of follow-up: 3 cycles
2. Pregnancy
Robinson et al, 200723USA (national)
Women attempting to become pregnant <24 months
Age: range 21–40
Women were excluded if using hormonal birth control or fertility drugs that contained hCG or LH, had a medical condition that presented a risk if they became pregnant or had been attempting to become pregnant >2 years.
Intervention: Commercially available urinary fertility monitor (levels of E3G and LH to estimate fertility status); provided OPK and given instructions on usage
Urine specimen collected at home
Device: Clearblue Easy Fertility Monitor (Unipath, Waltham, Massachusetts, USA)
Control: No specific instructions given; free to use aids to attempt pregnancy other than the intervention, including other home ovulation tests
Study design: RCT
Sample size: 1000
(Intervention: 500, Control: 500)
Length of follow-up: 3 cycles
  1. Time-to-pregnancy

  2. Pregnancy

Tiplady et al, 201324UK (national)
Women attempting to become pregnant <12 months and who had regular menstruation
Age: range 18–40
Women were excluded if they had used hormonal contraception in the last 3 months, were currently undergoing fertility treatment or investigation, had previously been diagnosed as infertile, had a history of depression, anxiety or panic attacks or were dependent on either drugs or alcohol. Women who had previously used ovulation tests were not excluded from participating.
Intervention: Commercially available urinary fertility monitor (levels of E3G and LH to estimate fertility status); provided OPK and given instructions on usage
Urine specimen collected at home
Device: Clearblue Digital Home Ovulation Test (SPD Swiss Precision Diagnostics, GmbH)
Control: Given the 2010 National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence guidelines for increasing the chances of achieving pregnancy (intercourse every 2–3 days); asked not to use any additional methods to time when ovulation occurs (ie, ovulation testing, basal body temperature)
Study design: RCT
Sample size: 210
(Intervention: 115: Control:95)
Length of follow-up: 2 cycles
  1. Time-to-pregnancy

  2. Pregnancy

  3. Stress/anxiety

  • E3G, estrone-3-glucuronide; LH, luteinising hormone; OPK, ovulation predictor kit; RCT, randomised controlled trial.