Is the CBEFM any better than charting?

[Tulpen88]

I've been thinking about buying a CBEFM from a friend, but I can't help but wonder if it's going to give me any more useful information that I already get from charting. If I use OPKs and pay attention to my CM and CP, then I already have a good idea of when my most fertile days are, right?

Do most people use the CBEFM instead of charting? Or do they use it as another tool to confirm their most fertile days? Would it really tell me anything I didn't already know from charting and using OPKs?

[Sourire]

I don't think its better than charting, your CM and CP can tell you when your fertile days are just as well as the CBEFM for most people and the CBEFM & test sticks are quite expensive.

OPKs are not as useful as the CBEFM because they only detect your LH surge (1 day before O) as opposed to CBEFM which detects estrogen and LH surge (up to 5 days before O) so you have much more advance warning of O and more chance of getting pregnant if you BD on all the high and peak days identified by the monitor

I use the CBEFM and charting together because I have almost no fertile CM so it is harder for me to know when I am in my fertile phase. I bought it on Ebay for about 60$ and I have been able to get test sticks on Ebay as well for a discounted price. Since I was already charting, I personally don't think it would have been worth it for me to pay the full price for the monitor and test sticks.

This is my first cycle using it so I can't say whether or not it has helped yet but I enjoy having one more data point to confirm my fertile days in addition to charting.

[HulaJenn]

It can't pinpoint ovulation like charting can. it is only another tool to be used in combination, and most I've read get frustrated with all the "high" fertility readings for days. Fertile CM can tell you when it is high. just my opinion (even though I haven't used one), doesn't seem worth the expense.