The Mira fertility tracker is a handheld analyzer that pairs with your phone to measure reproductive hormones from a urine sample, giving you exact numeric readings rather than the simple “yes or no” results most ovulation strips provide. Getting started takes about 10 minutes, and from there, you’ll test on specific days each cycle to build a personalized hormone profile. Here’s how to set it up, run your tests, and make sense of the results.
Setting Up the Analyzer and App
Start by charging the Mira analyzer using the included USB cable. A full charge lasts roughly 20 tests, so you won’t need to plug it in every day. Even if you take a break from testing, charge it at least once every three months to keep the battery healthy.
While it charges, download the Mira app on your iPhone or Android phone and create an account. You’ll enter basic cycle information like your average cycle length and the first day of your last period. The app uses Bluetooth to communicate with the analyzer, so make sure Bluetooth is enabled on your phone and follow the in-app prompts to pair the two devices. Once linked, the analyzer will automatically send your hormone data to the app after every test.
Choosing the Right Test Wands
Mira sells several types of disposable test wands, each designed to measure different hormones. Which ones you need depends on what you’re tracking.
- Mira Fertility wands measure luteinizing hormone (LH), the hormone that surges right before ovulation.
- Mira Fertility Plus wands measure both LH and estrogen (specifically E3G, the form of estrogen found in urine). Tracking estrogen alongside LH gives you earlier warning that ovulation is approaching, since estrogen rises days before the LH surge.
- Mira Confirm wands measure PdG, a urine marker of progesterone. Progesterone rises after ovulation, so these wands help confirm that you actually ovulated.
- Mira Ovum wands track follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), which is useful for monitoring ovarian reserve and overall fertility status over time.
Most people trying to conceive start with the Fertility Plus wands for day-to-day tracking and add Confirm wands if they want ovulation confirmation. The wands are single-use, so you’ll go through one per test.
When and How to Test
The app tells you exactly which days to test by placing colored dots on your calendar. Depending on your cycle length, it may ask you to test daily after your period ends or every two to three days during less critical windows. Testing typically ramps up to daily as you approach your fertile window.
It’s best to start testing after your period ends, since hormone levels during menstruation sit at baseline and don’t provide much useful data. Use your first morning urine for the most concentrated sample. Try to test at roughly the same time each day and avoid drinking large amounts of water beforehand, as diluted urine can affect readings.
To run a test, open the Mira app and tap the test button so the analyzer is ready to receive data. Dip the absorbent tip of the wand into a urine sample (collecting in a clean cup works best), then insert the wand into the analyzer’s slot. The device reads the wand and transmits the results to your phone within about 16 to 20 minutes. You’ll get a notification when your results are ready.
Reading Your Hormone Numbers
Unlike traditional ovulation strips that show faint or dark lines, Mira gives you actual numeric hormone concentrations measured in nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL). This is what the company means by “lab-grade” readings, and they claim 99% accuracy compared to laboratory blood tests.
For estrogen (E3G), the numbers follow a predictable pattern across your cycle. During the first half of your cycle before ovulation, levels typically sit between 80 and 120 ng/mL. As ovulation approaches, they climb to 120 to 400 ng/mL or higher. After ovulation, estrogen settles back to around 100 to 350 ng/mL. Watching your personal E3G curve rise over several days is one of the earliest signs that your body is gearing up to release an egg.
For LH, you’re looking for a sharp spike rather than a gradual rise. Your baseline will be relatively low for most of the cycle, then shoot up dramatically for one to two days. That surge signals ovulation is likely within 24 to 36 hours, making the day of the surge and the day after your most fertile window.
If you’re using Confirm wands to track PdG, you’ll check for a sustained rise in the days following your expected ovulation. A clear increase that stays elevated suggests progesterone is being produced, which means ovulation occurred. If PdG stays flat, it may indicate an anovulatory cycle.
Using the App to Identify Patterns
The Mira app does more than just display individual test results. It plots your hormone levels on a graph over the course of each cycle, so you can visually see when estrogen begins to climb, when LH peaks, and whether progesterone confirms ovulation afterward. Over multiple cycles, these curves help you spot your personal pattern. Some people ovulate like clockwork on cycle day 14, while others consistently ovulate on day 18 or day 21. Mira’s numeric tracking makes those individual patterns visible in a way that simple positive/negative tests cannot.
The app also assigns a daily fertility status to help you time intercourse or insemination. It factors in your real-time hormone data along with your historical cycle trends. In the first few cycles, the predictions improve as the app collects more of your personal data, so the tracker becomes more accurate the longer you use it.
Keeping the Analyzer in Good Shape
The wand slot can get stained with urine over time. If that happens, wipe it immediately with a dry tissue or an alcohol swab. Don’t use water or any wet cloth inside the slot, as moisture can damage the sensor. The rest of the device can be wiped down with a slightly damp cloth on the outside.
Store the analyzer in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Keep the test wands sealed in their foil packaging until you’re ready to use them, since exposure to air and humidity can affect the reactive strips. If you’re taking a break between cycles or pausing for a month, remember to top off the charge at least quarterly to maintain battery health.
Getting the Most Accurate Results
A few small habits make a noticeable difference in data quality. First, consistency matters more than perfection. Testing at 7 a.m. every day is better than alternating between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m., because hormone concentrations fluctuate throughout the day. Second, use enough urine to fully saturate the wand’s absorbent tip, but don’t submerge it past the marked line. Third, leave the wand in the analyzer undisturbed while it processes. Removing it early can produce an error.
If you get a reading that seems unusually high or low, don’t panic. A single outlier matters less than the overall trend. Dehydration, a disrupted sleep schedule, or testing at a different time can all shift a single result. Look at the curve across several days rather than fixating on any one number. After two to three complete cycles of consistent testing, your hormone graphs will give you a reliable, personalized picture of your fertile window.