Many women are curious to know when to take an ovulation test. Some think that every day is the best day, especially if it is their first time getting pregnant or having trouble conceiving. Unfortunately, this isn’t necessarily true.
Take a trip to the drug store, and it’s almost impossible not to find any type of ovulation test kits on the shelf.
Ovulation predictor kits are not necessarily 100 percent accurate and can sometimes give puzzling results and incorrect information. This quick and simple guide will explain when to begin testing for ovulation.
The LH surge usually occurs in the morning, but it takes several hours to detect the hormone in urine. For this reason, it is mainly advised to take an ovulation test between 12 p.m. and 8 p.m.
When taking an ovulation home test to predict ovulation, it is best to use the ovulation test according to their instructions. Some women find the test more accurate if they take it twice a day, in the morning and afternoon.
To get the most accurate ovulation test results, it is recommended that you take your urine test at the same time each day.
If you have an irregular cycle, you must keep a strict testing schedule. Most eggs are viable for up to six hours, so if your menstrual cycle is on the long side (usually 35 days or longer), take the test 17 days before the next menstrual period.
Ovulation predictor tests are very straightforward. All you have to do is urinate on the stick for about three seconds and wait for one minute before reading it. You’ll be able to see either one line or two lines.
One test line means that your luteinizing hormone (LH) is low. When the second line begins to show the level of LH is increasing. When the second line is obvious, it means that LH surge is detected and ovulation is probably taking place.
Keep in mind that ovulation test kits are not 100 percent accurate. The accuracy of detecting LH surge in urine has been determined as high as 97% if used correctly. Anyway, a 2015 Cochrane review showed that timed intercourse using urinary hormone monitoring was associated with an increased pregnancy rate.
Ovulation tests will only indicate fertility when the luteinizing hormone has reached its highest level, which usually comes 12 to 48 hours before ovulation takes place.
The fertility window begins approximately 3–5 days (sperm lifespan) before ovulation and lasts about 1–2 days (oocyte lifespan) after ovulation. If you want to ensure that you conceive, plan for intercourses at least on the day of LH surge until three days after. The chances of getting pregnant increase by up to 40 percent if sperm and egg unite at the right time and in the right place.
It’s recommended that you start having ovulation tests 10 to 11 days after the first day of your last menstrual period in your 28 days menstrual cycle. If you have longer menstrual cycles, you can start testing 17 days before the next menstrual period. If your cycles are irregular, it is best to consult your doctor when to start.
The LH surge usually occurs in the morning, but it takes several hours to detect the hormone in urine. For this reason, it is mostly advised to take an ovulation test between 12 p.m. and 8 p.m.
However, not all ovulation test kits work the same way, so reading and following instructions are best.
You should take at least one test each day when you are trying to conceive. Some women find it more accurate when they take it in the morning and the afternoon.
Ovulation tests work by detecting a surge in the hormone called luteinizing hormone (LH).
This hormone leads to ovulation and an egg being released from the ovary. The luteinizing hormone surges about 12 to 48 hours before ovulation and can be detected by an ovulation test that detects an increase in the level of the hormone.
A positive ovulation test result is a sign that you are about to ovulate and if you have sex, there’s a chance of getting pregnant.
Even though most women know when they ovulate, knowing when to start ovulation testing can make a big difference in conceiving a child. With these easy steps, finding out when to take an ovulation test will be a thing of the past!
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