Study of Axillary Skin Temperature as a Marker of Ovulation

Pilot Study of Measuring Axillary Skin Temperature, Using DuoFertility, as a Marker of Ovulation in 10 Women of Childbearing Age

Infertility is the most common reason women (aged 20-45yrs)see their GP, affecting 1 in 7 couples. Measuring basal body temperature is a technique that has been used since the 1930's to attempt to predict ovulation. Current NICE guidelines don't recommend the use of BBT charts to predict ovulation, as it has not been established to reliably confirm ovulation.

The DuoFertility sensor a CE marked Class la device provides a continuous accurate measure of axilla temperature whilst worn under the arm.

The investigators plan to compare the temperature measurements of the DuoFertility sensor with the gold standard transvaginal ultrasound scan obtained during 10 infertile women's menstrual cycles, up to 10 cycles per women.

The investigators aim to investigate if continuous axillary skin temperature measurement obtained from the DuoFertility sensor, provides comparable results for identifying the occurrence of ovulation as the gold standard transvaginal ultrasound scan.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Infertility

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Actual): 10

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• United Kingdom
  • Cambridgeshire
    • Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom, CB2 0QQ
      • Cambridge University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years to 44 years (Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Genders Eligible for Study: Female

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Infertile females of child bearing age with regular menstrual cycles trying to get pregnant

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Participant is willing and able to give informed consent for participation
• Females aged 18 to 44 years.
• Referred with infertility to the Reproductive Medicine Clinic, Rosie Hospital
• Have a body mass index (BMI) above 19 and below 29
• Regular menstrual cycles, i.e. no greater than 7 days difference between the shortest and longest cycle in the last 6 months
• Minimum menstrual cycle 21 days
• Maximum menstrual cycle 35 days
• Willing to wear a DuoFertility sensor continuously for 8 to 10 menstrual cycles;
• Willing to attend Rosie Hospital up to 5 times per cycle for TVS and blood tests
• Willing to perform twice daily LH urine tests at home from day 8 of cycle till positive
• Normal pelvic ultrasound and blood results obtained during screening tests

Exclusion Criteria:

• Aged younger than 18 years, or older than 44 years
• Have a BMI less than 18 or greater than 29
• Any diagnosed systemic illnesses, including but not restricted to thyroid disease, diabetes or inflammatory diseases
• Polycystic ovary disease
• Endometriosis or other pelvic pathology (including proven tubal disease)
• Taking steroids, including oral contraceptives or anti inflammatory drugs

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Joanne Outtrim
• Collaborators: Cambridge Temperature Concepts
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Raj Mathur, Cambridge University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start: July 1, 2010
• Primary Completion (Actual): December 1, 2011
• Study Completion (Actual): January 1, 2015

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: May 24, 2011
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: May 25, 2011
• First Posted (Estimate): May 26, 2011

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): June 27, 2018
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: June 26, 2018
• Last Verified: June 1, 2018

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Infertility
• Other Study ID Numbers: A091932; 10/H0308/35 (Other Identifier: National Research Ethics Committee)