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Improve your chances of getting pregnant
Unfortunately, getting pregnant doesn't always happen that quickly, especially for couples as they get older. With ovulation tests, you can attempt pregnancy with some degree of accuracy. Testing kits check urine levels of luteinizing hormone (LH), which is produced throughout the menstrual cycle but peaks just prior to ovulation. This lets you plan intercourse during her most fertile time.
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When's the Best Time?
Ovulation kits are used to detect the hormonal changes that occur a day or two prior to ovulation. Approximately 20 to 48 hours after a surge in the level of luteinizing hormone (LH) in a woman's body, ovulation (the release of an egg) occurs. A test can predict fairly accurately when ovulation will occur, telling you when your best chances of conceiving are.
Test Results May Vary
- If you have been using the product for over three months and still have not conceived, consult a doctor.
- If you have recently discontinued the use of oral contraceptives, it is advisable to wait a few months after discontinuation before attempting to detect ovulation with a kit.
- In some women, LH levels can be too low to be detected by a home test. Daily sonograms and blood tests should be done by a doctor if you believe this to be the case.
- LH surges vary in length. In some women, LH surges can be shorter than 10 hours and a single daily test can miss it. Two tests per day can be more effective in these cases.
- There are some medical conditions that may produce high LH levels that are not the result of the onset of ovulation:
- Menopause
- Polycystic ovary syndrome
- Pregnancy
Choosing the Right Test For You
Most pharmacies carry ovulation test kits. If you anticipate that you will need a number of kits before you successfully conceive, ask your pharmacist or health care provider if you can purchase at a discount.
All of the tests are designed on the same principle -- measuring the LH in your urine. The real differences lie in the method you must employ to get results. Look closely at the directions and choose what seems to be the least complicated test for you. In general, the fewer steps there are, the fewer chances for error.
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What Is an Ovulation Test?
Ovulation tests help you determine when you are most likely to conceive.
How Does an Ovulation Test Work?
- Ovulation tests look for the presence of lutenizing hormone (LH) in your urine. This signals that you are undergoing an LH surge and that ovulation will occur in the next 20 to 48 hours.
- What is LH? LH is a hormone that is always present in your body if you are menstruating. However, about 20 to 48 hours before ovulation, there is an LH surge. Therefore, ovulation tests do not test for the mere presence of LH in your urine, but rather increases or decreases in LH levels.
- An ovulation test will require a few days of testing for the purposes of comparison. The test cannot give you a quantity of LH and let you know that it is a surge. Only comparison with LH levels from preceding days can inform you of a surge.
Check Your Test Before You Use It
- Check the expiration date on the box. Outdated tests may not work properly.
- Always follow the timing instructions appropriate to each particular product. Products vary in their timing methods, so with each new test, familiarize yourself with the timing required before starting the test.
- Not waiting long enough or waiting too long can affect the accuracy of your results. Adhere strictly to the timing directions.
Pre-Test Precautions
- If you are using medication to promote ovulation, it may produce false positive results. Consult your physician as to whether your medication(s) may interfere with test results.
- If you are receiving clomiphene, an LH (luteinizing hormone) surge can be detected only after the second day after drug treatment ends.
- Some medical conditions may produce high LH levels that are not the result of the onset of ovulation:
- Menopause
- Polycystic ovary syndrome
- Pregnancy
- If you have recently discontinued the use of oral contraceptives, it may take up to three cycles (three months) until ovulation begins.
Determining When Ovulation Will Occur
- Make sure you have information regarding your past three menstrual cycles.
- Test kits vary widely. Read the directions for your test carefully.
- More steps in a kit means a is greater chance for error.
- Based on the information regarding your past three menstrual cycles, follow kit directions to help you determine the best time to test.
- If your cycles varies by more than three or four days, use the shortest cycle to determine your starting date.
- Perform the test early in the morning for best results.
- Consuming large amounts of fluid may dilute hormones in urine. No matter what time of day you perform the test, restrict your intake of fluids.
- You should not have urinated for the four hours prior to the test.
- Test the urine sample immediately after collection. If you must store the urine for later testing, refrigerate.
- Before testing refrigerated urine, allow it to return to room temperature. Refrigerated urine can produce inaccurate results.
- Do not disturb any sediment that may collect on the urine collection device.
What Does a Positive Result Mean?
- A positive result indicates an LH (luteinizing hormone) surge.
- An LH surge indicates that ovulation will occur within the next 24 to 48 hours.
- As soon as ovulation occurs, the ovum (egg) remains viable (able to be fertilized) for a period of 12 to 24 hours. Sperm may live for up to 72 hours.
- The best times for intercourse are two days before ovulation, the day of ovulation, and the day after ovulation.
- To maximize the chances of fertilization, intercourse should take place within 24 hours after an LH surge.
If the Result Is Negative, Try Again Next Month
- Consider the possibility that the test may not be working properly.
- Ovulation may not have occurred.
- It may be too late in the cycle, meaning you performed the test after the LH surge.
- It is suggested that you test for a longer period of days in your next cycle in order to maximize your chances of hitting an LH surge.
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Results May Not Be Accurate
Ovulation tests may not be completely accurate in predicting ovulation. If you have continued problems conceiving, consult a doctor.
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Websites, Organizations & Manufacturers
Sources & Further Reading
Books
- 1. American Medical Association.The American Medical Association: Family Medical Guide. 3rd Ed. New York: Random House 1994.
- 2. Fauci, Anthony S. et al. Eds. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 14th ed. New York: MacGraw Hill 1998.
- 3. Segen, Joseph, and Joseph Stauffer.The Patient's Guide to Medical Tests: Everything you need to know about the tests your doctor prescribes. New York: Facts on File 1998.
- 4. Zaret, Barry L. Et al. The Yale University School of Medicine Patient's Guide to Medical Tests. New York: Houghton Mifflin 1997.
Find more books on health and wellness at  barnesandnoble.com.
Articles
- 1. Tien, Linda."For many, home is where the test is, but not all tests are created equal". Star Tribune; 8/13/1995.
- 2. MacDonald, Sue."Testing your health at home". Gannett News Service; 8/8/1996.
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