Written by: Dr. Amy Beckley, PhD, Founder and Inventor of the Proov test — the first and only FDA-cleared test to confirm successful ovulation at home.
With so many different fertility testing options on the market, it can be difficult to know which is best for you. Today, we’re breaking down two different options – Proov Complete and the Mira Clarity Bundle – to help you make a more informed decision.
What is fertility testing?
Fertility testing refers to any kinds of tests that provide information about your fertility, or your ability to get pregnant. For women, that can mean tests that give insight into ovarian reserve, reproductive hormone levels, ovulation, and more.
There are many different types of fertility tests, ranging from tests that can be done at home to tests that need to be performed by a doctor or in a lab. Fertility tests can test blood or urine, as well. Understanding the different types of fertility tests on the market can help you choose the best for you.
What age should you test for fertility?
When you start fertility testing is up to you and your unique situation. Here at Proov, we recommend every couple have some kind of fertility testing done, regardless of age, to help you identify potential barriers to conception and get treatment (if necessary) sooner.
That said, if you are under 35 and have been trying to conceive for at least 12 months, you’ll likely want to see additional testing whether that be at-home options or a visit to a fertility doctor.
If you are 35 or older, it’s recommended that you begin fertility testing right away or after 6 months of trying at the latest, as natural fertility begins to decline around that age.
Regardless of age, if you have questions about fertility testing or your fertility, we always recommend consulting your doctor.
Proov’s Complete Testing System
Proov Complete is the most comprehensive at-home fertility test we offer! You’ll track 4 key hormones across your cycle to unlock powerful fertility insights and help you get pregnant faster. Complete costs $89 for one cycle of testing.
What does it contain?
Proov Complete comes with:
- 3 FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) tests – enough for 1 cycle
- 17 Multihormone tests that measure E1G (urine marker of estrogen), LH (luteinizing hormone), and PdG (urine marker of progesterone) – enough for 1 cycle
- Instructions for use
- Free Proov Insight app
- App card
Access to the free Proov Insight app comes with every Complete kit. The app is an integral part of the test as it reminds you when to test based on your unique cycle data, reads your tests each day, and interprets your results. Proov Complete does not come with an external test reading device, as the camera within the app on your smartphone will read the tests for you.
How does it work?
After setting up the app and inputting your cycle data, the Proov Insight app will create your unique testing protocol. While each person’s testing protocol will be slightly different, here is an example of what you should expect:
You’ll test in three main windows:
- Baseline & Reserve Windows: When you’ll find your baseline hormone levels and get insight into ovarian reserve.
- Fertile Window: When you’ll identify the best days to “try” – up to 6!
- Implantation Window: When you’ll confirm successful ovulation with our patented testing method to ensure you have the highest possible chance of getting pregnant.
You’ll check the app each morning when you wake up to see if it’s a testing day. If it is, you’ll take the test according to the in app instructions and the camera in the app will scan your test result.
Each day you test, you’ll receive an interpretation of that day’s results, including your exact hormone levels that day and what they mean. You’ll receive up to 54 individual hormone readings throughout your cycle with explanations on what they mean, like where your ovarian reserve stands and whether or not ovulation was successful.
At the end of your cycle, you’ll receive your downloadable hormone report and Ovulation Score – a numeric representation of how successful your ovulation was that cycle. In your downloadable PDF report, you’ll receive a hormone chart for a visual representation of your day-to-day results, hormone balance ratios, and information about all your results that cycle.
This data is incredibly powerful to bring to your doctor to discuss the best next steps for you!
Who should use it?
We recommend Complete for anyone currently trying to conceive, those who are thinking of trying in the near future, or are just coming off birth control. But, the truth is that Complete serves many women at many different stages of life and is especially beneficial for women looking to confirm successful ovulation during the implantation window.
Women who may have a problem with ovulation that can make it more difficult to get pregnant include:
- Women over 35
- Women with a history of early miscarriage
- Women who are taking fertility medications
- Women who have been trying to conceive without success
- Women with PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) or endometriosis
Mira’s Clarity Bundle
The Mira Clarity Bundle is an at-home fertility tracker that purportedly measures LH, E3G (estradiol metabolite), PdG, and FSH across the cycle. The Clarity Bundle costs $274 for the initial purchase of the device and testing wands for one cycle. Replacing both types of wands each cycle costs $134 per cycle, after the first cycle.
What does it contain?
The Mira Clarity Bundle contains the following:
- 1 Mira Analyzer (device that reads the testing wands)
- Mira carrying pouch
- Charging cable
- 10 Single-use Estradiol Metabolite (E3G) + Luteinizing Hormone (LH) + Pregnanediol-3-Glucuronide (PdG) Test Wands (Mira Max Wands) – may not be enough for 1 cycle
- 10 Single-use Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) Test Wands (Mira Ovum Wands)
- 1 Silicone Cup
- Quickstart Guide: Step-by-step instructions to get started with Mira
- Mira app
How does it work?
With the Mira Clarity Bundle, you should expect to test 10-20 times per cycle, depending on your body’s unique rhythm (note that because there are only 10 wands of each kind, you may run out). Each time you test, you’ll want to dip the wand in your urine sample for 10-20 seconds.
After dipping the wand, you’ll then insert it into the Mira Analyzer, which syncs to the Mira app. After 21 minutes, you should receive your fertility hormone concentrations in the Mira app. Then, the Mira algorithm will provide personalized information about your fertility window.
Who should use it?
Mira states that most people trying to get pregnant don’t know when their fertile window is, which is something Mira can help identify.
Additionally, Mira states it can be used if you have irregular cycles or hormone imbalances, and can help you get pregnant if you have PCOS.
Similarities & Differences Between the Two
Proov Complete and the Mira Clarity Bundle both apparently measure similar hormone markers (FSH, LH, and PdG), with the only difference being Complete measures E1G and Mira measures E3G.
The Mira Clarity Bundle purports to predict and confirm ovulation via LH, E3G, and PdG to find the fertility window. It also measures FSH to tell how far you are from menopause and to assess your fertility health.
Proov Complete, on the other hand, focuses on providing powerful insight throughout your cycle – not just during the fertile window. Complete measures hormones during 3 key testing windows during your cycle to provide insight into your ovarian reserve, full fertile window, and successful ovulation.
Additionally, the Mira Clarity Bundle requires the purchase of the Mira Analyzer to read the tests, while the free Proov Insight app allows you to read your Complete test results right on your phone.
How to Choose: Pros & Cons of Each
Since Proov Complete provides more extensive information about your cycle and fertility, and costs less on a per cycle basis, it provides more value for the price. Additionally, you don’t need to purchase an external test reader to interpret the results since the free Proov Insight app reads, interprets, and saves your results across your cycle.
However, if you’re specifically interested in finding your fertile window, Mira could be a good option for you.
Proov is a great option if you suspect you may have a problem with ovulation. While both tests can confirm ovulation, Proov Complete is the only test on the market designed to track PdG levels across the implantation window to confirm successful ovulation via our patented testing method. In fact, a recent clinical study showed that women with high PdG levels during the implantation window had an 85% pregnancy success rate, compared to only a 10% success rate when PdG levels were low during that time.*
With Proov, you receive a full cycle analysis into all the key events leading up to getting pregnant. While finding your fertile window is important for conception to occur, at Proov we recognize that’s not the only piece to the pregnancy puzzle and our goal is to empower you with more complete information so you can get pregnant faster.
Have questions about how Proov Complete can help you reach your fertility goals? Reach out to us!
*Amy Beckley, Joshua Klein, John Park, Aimee Eyvazzadeh, Gary Levy, Alexandra Koudele. The predictive value of urinary progesterone metabolite PdG testing in pregnancy outcomes. Obstetrics and Gynecology Research 5 (2022): 194-198.
