1. Introduction

We are pleased that you are interested in the technical specifications of the Shekan® software.

This documentation applies to Shekan® version 1.X.X (as of June 2023, issue 1.1). If you have any questions, always contact us using the contact options at the end of this documentation.

For more information and the latest version of this documentation, please visit: https://www.kanvie.com/shekan

1.1 Intended use of the Shekan® App

You can find the intended use statement of the Shekan® app in the “Regulatory Notices” menu in the settings of your Shekan® app.

1.2 Purpose of this technical documentation

The calculations of many cycle software products are often treated with a high level of secrecy by manufacturers. Partly irrelevant information about your health is requested and results of the apps often have to be accepted by you without any explanation.

With this technical documentation, we want to give interested users an insight into the functionality behind the Shekan® app.

Advanced knowledge of the sympto-thermal method is recommended for optimal understanding of this documentation.

2. Basics of the Shekan® App

2.1 Cycle lengths

The length of a cycle is defined by the distance between the first day of a period and the last day before the start of the next period.

2.2 Calendar method

The calendar method is used by Shekan® as soon as at least the length of a whole cycle is stored in the app. As soon as it can be used, the user receives results on the expected length of the current cycle based on this method, unless their usage behaviour of the Shekan® app allows the use of the sympto-thermal method.

The calendar method is sometimes very unreliable and does not provide estimates of ovulation. Only by using the Shekan® app correctly and in accordance with the rules can the user activate the sympto-thermal method.

2.3 Mandatory and optional entries

The following entries are required by the system on a mandatory basis in order to use the respective method:

Calendar method:

• Menstruation (period) days

Sympto-thermal method:

• Menstruation (period) days

• Basal body temperature

• Cervical mucus quality

• Vaginal feeling

• Disruptive factors

Shekan® also offers the option of recording other events, such as personal notes or pregnancy test results, for each day, but these have no effect on the methods we offer.

3. Sympto-thermal method at a glance

3.1 Evaluation of the temperature

For the evaluation of the temperature test, at least 9 days of data are required. These must include the current and the two previous days. In parallel, the six days before are considered. From this data set, the highest temperature is determined and halved to the nearest tenth.

• Main rule: Check whether there are three measurement results in a row that are all higher than those of the six previous days. The third measured value must be at least 2/10 C° above the highest of the previous six low temperatures.

• Special rule 1: If the third measured temperature value is not at least 2/10 C° above the highest of the previous six lower temperatures, a 4th temperature value must be waited for.

• Special rule 2: Between the 3 required higher measurements, one may fall below or on the auxiliary line. This value must not be taken into account.

• Only one of the two special rules is used.

• After discontinuation of hormonal contraceptive methods, an additional higher measurement after completion of the usual temperature evaluation is needed for the evaluation of the first temperature high, which must be higher than the 6 low values, but not necessarily 2/10 C° higher.

When the temperature test is completed, it is also completed on each subsequent day of the test completion within the cycle.

3.2 Evaluation of cervical mucus & vaginal feeling

The first thing to determine is which cervical mucus quality is the highest during the cycle.

The grades quality assessment are, in descending order of quality: A → B → C → D → Ø → ? where “?” indicates a gap within the documentation.

Here you will find a breakdown of the cervical mucus qualities and when they are used by the Shekan® app: