ST. LOUIS (CNS) – A Colorado biologist looking to produce an at-home test to confirm ovulation has piqued the interest of natural family planning (NFP) users in a big way.

Ovulation Double Check is an at-home urine test that will detect the presence of progesterone, a hormone that indicates ovulation has taken place.

Amy Beckley and her business partner, patent lawyer Christina Chamberlain, are working on the test under their Erie, Colo.-based company, MFB Fertility Inc., which is dedicated to supporting fertility and young children. Beckley also is working on a quantitative test that would read more specific progesterone levels.

The duo launched a crowd-funding campaign in March to support production of Ovulation Double Check. By May 13, they had raised $31,309 – well surpassing the original goal of $28,000.

“I can see that the need is very, very apparent,” Beckley said. “As soon as we meet the goal, we hope to have the prototypes out there.”

About a year into trying to start a family, Beckley began charting her cycles to better understand her body. But it was not working well. She used several methods of tracking ovulation, which left her with mixed results and an uncertainty that she had ovulated.

With her background in microbiology, Beckley focused on progesterone, a hormone present in a woman’s body in the latter part of her cycle, called the luteal phase. A rise in progesterone is an indicator that ovulation has taken place.

Looking at methods to chart fertility, Beckley thought: “Why can’t I just test for progesterone?”

Conducting research, Beckley discovered little had been published on such testing.

After having her children, Beckley knew she wanted to help other women who were also trying to conceive.

Such a test would provide a way for a woman to confirm that ovulation has occurred, and help a couple to achieve or avoid pregnancy.

Editor’s Note: More information on MFB Fertility Inc. is available online at mfbfertility.com.