Reasons I Hate the Clearblue Advanced Fertility Monitor

funkykey · December 2016

1) If you don't set up your cycle by day four, you can't use it. Even if you don't need to start taking the tests until day 8-9. Even if you buy it on day 5.

2) You are locked into the testing window, which is in the morning. Say I want to take 2 ovulation tests in a day to see if I have an LH surge - even if I've taken one during the testing window, I cannot take another later, in the evening.

3) The testing window applies to pregnancy tests too, not just ovulation tests. If you want to take a pregnancy test when you get home from work, before a glass of wine, because AF still hasn't come around... too bad, the advanced monitor will reject the test.

I hate this product so much. I wish I'd never bought it, and that I'd saved my money and bought a bunch of tests that let me have more freedom.

That's all. (Have also posted a couple of irate reviews on Amazon.)

funkykey · December 2016

Note: I'm not expecting anyone to comment on this. But if you are thinking about buying the Advanced Fertility Monitor and come across this thread, you should know about these limitations.

I never would have bought it if I'd known. Never. I might even go old-school and write a letter to ClearBlue about how they should be ashamed that they brought this tool to market, I think it's that bad.

SaphireSweetie88 · December 2016

*lurker*

That's why I just used Clear Blue Digital Ovulation Predictor - not the advanced. I had no issues with it (or the CB digital pregnancy tests) and could test multiple times a day if I wanted.

Edit: spelling

Spaniard · December 2016

Mmmm not sure what is that fancy malfunctioning monitoring device but is good to know it doesn't work as I am looking for other options. I am not so sure I trust the CB digital ovul predictor. Last IUI cycle it gave me 3 high fertility days, when it seems it should be only two and went to IUI not really knowing if it was the right time.

This time around I used 2 different methods (Yes I am a control freak) the clear blue and another cheaper one to make sure results were aligned. I have to say that the two monitoring sticks were only 10 hours difference in detecting LH surge but still, it is quite a bit...aaaand, totally agree, the fact that if you take more than one test with the CB you can screw the results (?!)...

This is very confusing and I keep thinking I am doing things wrong. You ladies always help me understand that I am not alone and it is not my fault, for which I thank you with all my heart.

mountainlady · December 2016

funkykey I just bought the Clearblue Advanced Fertility monitor.... on CD-bloody-5! Opened it up and realised I have to wait a whole cycle before using... I wish I'd read your feedback before I threw away the package!

SaphireSweetie88 · December 2016

Spaniard said:

Mmmm not sure what is that fancy malfunctioning monitoring device but is good to know it doesn't work as I am looking for other options. I am not so sure I trust the CB digital ovul predictor. Last IUI cycle it gave me 3 high fertility days, when it seems it should be only two and went to IUI not really knowing if it was the right time.

This time around I used 2 different methods (Yes I am a control freak) the clear blue and another cheaper one to make sure results were aligned. I have to say that the two monitoring sticks were only 10 hours difference in detecting LH surge but still, it is quite a bit...aaaand, totally agree, the fact that if you take more than one test with the CB you can screw the results (?!)...

This is very confusing and I keep thinking I am doing things wrong. You ladies always help me understand that I am not alone and it is not my fault, for which I thank you with all my heart.

** lurker** **TW **

@Spaniard

I used the CB digital ovulation predictor (not the advanced one) and it worked for me without any issues.

funkykey · December 2016

I just bought the Clearblue Advanced Fertility monitor.... on CD-bloody-5!

@Knottie47892277 -OH NO! I feel your pain!! Mine arrived on day 6, and I cried when I realized. Here I'd just spent like $200 (by the time I had the test strips too), and couldn't use it - needed to wait a whole other cycle. I hope you have less trouble with it than I've had!

@Spaniard - I'm using three different kits now. The CB advanced fertility monitor (my least fave of the three), the CB digital ovulation test (not advanced!), and then the dollar store OPKs that just test for LH.

I've tried other types too, while I've been TTC - like some drug store ones and then First Response. Of the like 6-7 types I've tried, the one I hated the most was the 20-test First Response Daily Digital Ovulation Test - that and the Clearblue Advanced Fertility Monitor are the biggest rip-offs, by far!

The CB Advanced Fertility Monitors are confusing, because they test for 2 hormones, so they'll give you more positive days - on CB, a happy face or a flashing happy. In theory, you have a particular estrogen surge before you have the LH surge, so the advanced monitor will let you know when you have the estrogen surge so you can prepare for LH. I'm glad to know I have the estrogen, but what I care about most is the LH surge - when it is, if it happens, etc.

I don't think it's controlling to try the different kits at the same time at all! I think we just want to get KU-ed real bad, and that we are seeking as much information as we can. When you start paying for treatments too, you want to make sure you're covering your bases.

Sometimes with the dollar store ones, I'll get paranoid that my eyes are deceiving me - maybe the line is actually lighter, maybe it's not the same dark or darker, etc. That's why I have the CB digital OPK this cycle too, because the happy face is easier (as much as it pained me to give more money to CB). My hope is this cycle, I will be able to use the CB digital to confirm the dollar store OPK result. Last cycle, I even used the same little jar of urine to test the different OPKs, and this cycle I will do the same.

Spaniard · December 2016

Thank you ladies.

Funkykey you are simply the best, 3 different kind of methods! That not only gives me comfort but guidance...I will do the same next time around!

funkykey · December 2016

Haha! I don't think you have to go too crazy! Whatever you are comfortable with- I just wanted to be really confident of the LH surge timing for when we start treatment, so this past couple of cycles I've gone overboard...
Hopefully your IUI will work and you won't need to worry about any of this!!!

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