We recently covered the Wink connected thermometer, a new device for helping women track menstrual cycles. Now we learn that there’s a competitor device called daysy that’s very similar, but that runs on a different algorithm that may provide more accurate results. Jessica Griger, COO at Valley Electronics, the U.S distributor of daysy, was kind enough to answer our questions about the daysy and the app that powers it.
Medgadget: Daysy is a fertility monitor designed to learn and track the menstrual cycle for people who want or don’t want to conceive. How does daysy work and how is it different from other temperature-based fertility monitors?
Jessica Griger: Daysy is used in the same way that a normal oral thermometer is used. The user takes their temperature, under their tongue, when they first wake up in the morning. Uniquely, daysy does not require the user to take their temperature at the same time each morning. Whether the user wakes up at 6am or 6pm, the information will be equally valid, unlike other monitors, which require the user to take their temperature at the same time each morning, and even “boast” an alarm feature.
Daysy tells the user their fertility status directly on the device. A convenient color-coded system will illuminate red (fertile), green (not fertile), or yellow (not enough information to determine status – the learning phase). The user does NOT have to sync daysy to their smartphone to determine fertility status – a unique convenience that sets daysy apart from other temperature-based fertility monitors.
Additionally, daysy’s fertility determination comes from basal body temperature (BBT) alone – the user does not need to input additional information such as the thickness of their cervical mucus, further increasing convenience and decreasing the probability for human error.
Unlike competitors, daysy is not just a glorified thermometer. Daysy is a computer that learns your cycle, analyzing data over time, and using advanced statistics such as probability distribution functions and confidence intervals. The daysy algorithm has been used by thousands of women over more than 25 years and boasts a 99.3% effectiveness rating.
Medgadget: Your predictive technology is based on the proprietary Lady-Comp algorithm. What’s so special about the Lady-Comp?
Griger: Lady Comp’s algorithm is based upon data from over one million cycles and several clinical studies and has been successfully used by women globally for over 25 years to plan and prevent pregnancy. Daysy is the “new generation” Lady Comp, boasting a sleeker design and the ability to sync to the daysyView app for more insight into the user’s cycles, however — the proven algorithm stays the same.
Medgadget: Can you describe step-by-step workflow that patient needs to take to use daysy in conjunction with daysyView app for iPhone?
Griger: As soon as the user wakes in the morning, she will press the activation button on daysy to turn her on and then place the sensor under the tongue and press the button again to initiate the temperature recording. Daysy will then beep quietly to signify the end of the recording and the fertility indicator for that day will illuminate. The user can choose to sync daysy with the daysyView app daily, weekly, monthly, or as often as she prefers.
Syncing occurs via a TRRS cable that is included with the daysy purchase. We do not use Bluetooth technology in order to minimize connectivity issues.
Syncing allows the user to view detailed information of her cycle, including a calendar view of fertility status and menstruation, predicted fertility/menstruation, personal notes, temperature curve, cycle statistics, FAQs, tutorials, messages to your partner, and the ability to contact our expert team.
Medgadget: Do you recommend women to use other protocols in conjunction with the daysy?
Griger: It is up to the user to decide how she wants to use the information from daysy.
Daysy cannot be used in conjunction with any hormonal birth control methods, as methods like The Pill or patch fluctuate the user’s natural ovulations cycles and prohibit daysy from garnering accurate information. Additionally, if the user is trying to prevent pregnancy, then she will need to abstain or use a barrier method of contraception, such as condoms or a diaphragm, on “red” days.
Finally, daysy does not protect from STI’s, so we recommend that only users in a committed, monogamous relationship ever have completely unprotected intercourse.
Medgadget: Where can the device be purchased and will it be compatible with Android devices?
Griger: Daysy is currently available through Amazon and its website.
For now, daysyView is unavailable on Android, but will be released in the near future. Importantly, daysy can be used as a stand-alone device; it is not necessary to have the app to display the user’s daily fertility status – a feature only daysy can boast.
Product page: Daysy…
