Your 28-day cycle collection
This test maps how your oestrogen and progesterone rise and fall across a whole menstrual cycle, from eleven saliva samples taken on set days. Collecting on the right days, each morning, is what makes the map accurate.
A simple test you do at home
Your kit and all eleven tubes are posted directly to you — no collection centre visit needed. Collect one sample on each of the days below, freezing each as you go, then mail them all back once your cycle is complete.
Your collection days
Day 1 is the first day of your period — don't collect on that day. Over your cycle you'll collect 11 samples on the highlighted days below.
Freeze every tube as you collect
Because your samples are collected over several weeks, each tube must go straight into the freezer after collection and stay frozen until you post them all together at the end of your cycle.
What this test measures
Across your 11 collection days, this test builds a full-cycle profile of:
Measures: Oestradiol (E2) — 28-day profile · Progesterone — 28-day profile · Progesterone / Oestrogen ratio · Testosterone (Day 11)
Before each sample
Follow these on every collection morning, and in the two hours before you collect.
Avoid on the day
Strictly avoid caffeine, alcohol and nicotine (smoking) on each collection day, unless your provider advises otherwise.
Fast overnight
Fast for at least 8 hours the night before, and don't eat, brush or floss, or use mouthwash in the 2 hours before collecting.
Just before
Wash your hands with soap and water. Rinse your mouth with water, spit out fully, and wait 10 minutes before collecting.
Are you using hormones?
This test is designed for women who are not currently supplementing with hormones. If you do use a hormone or steroid product, it can affect your result — continue as prescribed unless advised, note it and its type on your request form, and follow the timing below. Unsure? Email us at info@i-screen.com.au.
| Product type | When to collect your sample |
|---|---|
| Creams / gels / capsules | 12–24 hours after last dose |
| Troche / sublingual | 36 hours after last dose |
| Patches | 24–48 hours after applying patch |
| Injections / pellets | Midpoint between treatments |
Collecting each sample
Repeat these steps on each of your 11 collection days, using the correctly labelled tube for that day.
- Wash your hands. Rinse your mouth with water, spit it out completely, and wait 10 minutes before collecting. Don't cough or clear mucous into the tube.
- Let saliva pool naturally in your mouth, then transfer it into the tube. Tilt your head forward to help it collect.
- Fill the tube with at least 3–5 ml of liquid saliva. Avoid foam or bubbles — tap the tube on a hard surface to settle them. Insufficient samples cannot be processed.
- Screw the cap on tightly to avoid leakage.
- Label the tube straight away, then place it in the freezer until you're ready to send everything.
Label every tube with:
- Your first name and surname, and date of birth
- The cycle day (e.g. Day 3)
- The date and time collected (e.g. 14/mm/yyyy, 6:30 am)
Keep frozen until you post
Store every tube in the freezer between collections. Only take them out when you're ready to pack and post all 11 together.
Packing & sending
- After your last sample (Day 28), check all 11 tubes are labelled, and complete your request form and Patient Checklist Form in full.
- Place the tubes into the sealable section of the specimen transport bag, and your forms into the non-sealable pocket.
- Seal everything inside the express post envelope provided and mail it back the same day via Australia Post.