How do Ovulation tests work?
Our EC certified ovulation predictor tests allow you to detect your monthly LH surge – the sudden increase in Luteinizing Hormone (LH) in your urine just before you ovulate. LH is the hormone that facilitates ovulation (the release of the egg). When you detect your LH surge with an LH test, you know you are at your most fertile.
The only time to fertilise an egg is 6 to 24 hours after ovulation. This is why knowing your body’s cycle is extremely helpful in increasing your chances of becoming pregnant.
How to use Ovulation tests
- Remove the ovulation strip from the sealed pouch
- If using a mid stream test, place the device in your urine stream for 10 seconds. If you’re using a strip test, fill a cup with a small amount of urine and place the white tip in the cup up to the ‘max' line for 10 seconds.
- Put the test stick on a flat surface facing up, and then wash your hands and wait for the results.
Ovulation tests have two lines: The control line reacts to urine to signal that the test is working correctly. This line is closest to the handle. The second is the test line, which confirms if you are ovulating. A positive ovulation test is when the test line is dark or darker than the control line. A positive test indicates you will ovulate in the next 12 -48 hours, and you should plan on having sex during this time to increase your chances of falling pregnant.
Ideally, it would be best to start using the tests approximately a few days before the expected ovulation day. If you don’t know when you ovulate, we suggest you start testing from day 10 of your cycle.
Irregular cycles & ovulation tests
If you have irregular menstrual cycles, you must test according to the earliest or latest dates you would expect to ovulate. It is advisable to have several ovulation predictor test strips in this situation.
If you use the ovulation predictor kits for five days, your chance of predicting ovulation will be 80%. Taking the test for ten days will increase your chances of predicting the fertile window to 95%. This will allow you to know the best time to have baby-making sex.