The fern test is becoming increasingly popular in place of the traditional urine-testing ovulation sticks.
This test uses a tiny microscope to view a drop of saliva once a day from the last day of period until a fern-like pattern appears in the saliva. The fern pattern indicates ovulation is about to occur. The test is considered extremely reliable by medical professionals, many of whom are recommending them to their female patients who are having trouble conceiving. The fern pattern helps ovulation prediction so that sexual intercourse can be timed with more precision.
Estrogen surges during the fertile phase of your cycle. Estrogen release causes salt crystals to form in the shape of fern leaves in both your saliva and your cervical mucus. Cervical mucus can also be used in a fern test. However, most women prefer to use saliva for its ease of retrieval.
Fern test microscopes are handheld and can be purchased in a variety of places online. The saliva must be allowed to completely dry before looking at it under the fern microscope or the results will not be accurate.The lens must also be thoroughly cleaned and allowed to dry between each use to ensure accuracy of results. The test is to be repeated each day until the fern pattern is seen.
As you move past your fertile phase, your estrogen levels drop and the fern pattern is no longer so clearly defined.
If you are unable to see ferning, you seem to be facing hormonal imbalance.
On the other hand, if you see the fern pattern every day, it can be sign of a problem with fertility, the onset of menopause, or ovarian failure. It could even mean that you’re finally pregnant!