Having sex on the days of ovulation will increase your chances of conceiving. Knowing how to use an ovulation test kit properly can help you get more accurate results and determine your most fertile period.
What is an ovulation test?
Ovulation test strips are devices used to test the level of the hormone LH (Luteinizing Hormone) in the urine.
A small amount of the hormone LH is always present in a woman’s urine, but levels increase 2 to 5 times before ovulation about 24-36 hours . This is the most fertile time in the menstrual cycle. Using a test strip can help you determine when LH levels are high which heralds the short window period before ovulation.
The process of conceiving will be more favorable if you have sex between the time of ovulation and the LH surge. Being able to determine the day of ovulation is very useful for couples who are planning on having a baby.
Are ovulation test strips accurate?
According to the American Pregnancy Association , ovulation test strips are up to 99% accurate in detecting high levels of the hormone LH if used correctly.
However, high LH is not always accompanied by subsequent ovulation. Some women may not ovulate despite high levels of LH, such as those with polycystic ovaries or those with luteinized unruptured follicle syndrome (LUFS). If you are pregnant or at menopause, the results of the test may also be affected.
Also, some prescription drugs, such as menotropin injection, and medicines containing hCG , Clomiphene citrate, have may affect test strip results. If you are being treated with any of the above drugs , consult your doctor to make sure the test strip will give accurate results.
If for some reason you are unable to use an ovulation test strip immediately after collecting your urine, you can save the urine sample for later testing. However, to ensure accurate results, you should note how to store in each environment:
- Room temperature (15 – 28ºC): You can only store urine samples for about 8 hours.
- Store in the refrigerator: for about 24 hours. You must bring the urine sample out at room temperature about 30 minutes before starting the test.
To limit the possibility of getting false results, you should test your urine the same day.
When can I have sex with an ovulation test?
To use an ovulation stick effectively, you need to determine how many days your menstrual cycle is. Keep track of your menstrual cycle for at least 3 months and keep detailed records to know how many days your cycle is.
Once you have a clear understanding of your menstrual cycle, use an ovulation test strip to monitor the amount of LH hormone in your urine according to the instructions below:
- Regular menstrual cycle 26-32 days: Use the test strip continuously from day 10 to 20 of the cycle. If the results of the ovulation test stick 2 lines, have sex more frequently on these days to increase your chances of conceiving.
- Shorter or longer menstrual cycle: You should see a gynecologist and consult an OB-GYN to learn when is the best time to use the test strip.
In addition, depending on the brand and usage of the test strip, In addition, depending on the brand and usage of the test strip, instructions on when to collect urine sample may vary. Read the instructions carefully as the results may vary if there is erroneous collection.
In addition, you should reduce your fluid intake about 4 hours before urine collection. When you consume too much fluid, your urine becomes diluted, making it difficult for the test strip to detect an increase in the concentration of the hormone LH.
How to use ovulation test kit and read the results
To use the test strips correctly and get the most accurate results, keep the following points in mind.
How to use ovulation test kit
Although there are many types (paper ovulation strips and electronic ovulation test strips), in general their uses are similar:
- Step 1: Take the egg soup stick out of the bag. Collect urine into the cup provided in the test strip container.
- Step 2: Dip the test strip into the urine in the direction the arrow points down. You must not immerse more than the specified line.
- Step 3: Wait for about 3-5 seconds, take the test strip out and place it in a dry place.
- Step 4: You should read the results within 5 minutes to avoid variations in the test strips that could cause the results to be displayed incorrectly.
How to read ovulation test results?
You may experience the following situations after reading an ovulation test strip:
- The stick shows 1 line on: Not the time of ovulation.
- The stick shows 1 bold line and 1 faint line: The time of ovulation is still quite far away.
- Ovulation test strip 2 equal lines (2 bold lines or 2 faint lines): This means you are about to ovulate.
- The stick shows 2 lines (the lower line is darker than the one available on the stick): Your ovulation time is near. The egg will be released within 12-24 hours right after you collect your urine.
- For electronic ovulation tests, results can be represented by icons, such as a smiley face.
Note that when the egg is or has been released, if you use an egg test strip, the second line will still appear. But it will fade if the time you try is far from the time of ovulation.
Should I use ovulation test strips to prevent pregnancy?
Using an ovulation test to prevent pregnancy carries many risks and increases the risk of unwanted pregnancy . This is because the test strip can only detect a spike in LH hormone levels 24 to 36 hours before ovulation, while sperm can survive in a woman’s body for 3 to 3 hours. 5 days.
Therefore, if you had sex before you could detect the LH surge, the egg could still be fertilized.
Key Takeaways
Knowing how to use ovulation test kit helps give accurate results when determining ovulation. This way, couples can know when the best time for conception is, so that they can increase their odds of having a baby.
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