Women’s experiences of ovulation tracking and ovulation technologies

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    Women’s experiences of ovulation tracking and using ovulation technologies to assist conception.

  • IRAS ID

    112240

  • Contact name

    Joann Wilkinson

  • Contact email

    j.wilkinson@lancaster.ac.uk

  • Research summary

    This research project looks at women’s experiences of tracking ovulation to assist conception (e.g measuring and recording basal body temperatures, checking cervical mucous, keeping ovulation diaries or charts, using fertility monitors or ovulation kits). In this project, I will examine the different methods that women use to observe and track ovulation and how these practices, and the technologies that are used, change or shape women’s understandings of their bodies and their fertility. I will also explore if women talk about domestic practices of ovulation tracking with their GPs and if this influences in any way their understandings of ovulation, fertility and their experiences of trying to conceive. The project will be divided into three parts. Firstly, I will distribute questionnaires to 50 women who attend the fertility clinic in Lancaster with general questions on ovulation tracking and technologies. Secondly, I will interview six women who have tracked ovulation using mixed methods. Thirdly, I will interview up to six women who have used the Duo Fertility Monitor to track ovulation. This monitor was provided by Queen Square surgery.

  • REC name

    North West - Preston Research Ethics Committee

  • REC reference

    14/NW/0226

  • Date of REC Opinion

    15 Apr 2014

  • REC opinion

    Favourable Opinion