Ovulation Test, How They Work and When to Do Them
Knowing when ovulation occurs in each female menstrual cycle is key to determining a woman's most fertile days. Therefore, it is essential to know at what point in the cycle the pregnancy is most likely to prosper.
Ovulation tests are a tool that allows you to anticipate this period, as long as they are used correctly. Through this post, we tell you how ovulation tests work, and you can also take our online doctor consultation.
Ovulation test: What are they and how do they work
An ovulation test is an analysis that helps to know which are the most fertile days of the menstrual cycle. To do this, it measures the level of luteinizing hormone (LH) present in the urine, which rises between 24 and 36 hours before ovulation. Some more advanced tests are even capable of measuring estrogen in addition to the LH hormone since estrogen usually increases before LH does.
It is best to perform this test for several days, in order to identify the most optimal of all. To do this, you must calculate, based on your menstrual cycle, when ovulation will occur to start performing the test. To give you an idea, ovulation usually occurs about 14 days after the menstrual period, although it can vary for each woman.
How to use ovulation strips?
The way ovulation strips work is very similar to that of a pregnancy test, and it is very simple. All you need to do is place the ovulation strip near your urine until it is completely soaked. Then, after a few minutes, controls will appear to indicate whether the test was performed correctly.
After this first line, a second line appears, which is usually darker, in case the LH hormone levels are higher. That is, if you are close to the days of ovulation, the second line will appear clearly. If this does not appear or is very weak, it means that you are not ovulating. Another option is to use digital ovulation tests, which estimate a percentage of accuracy. If you want to know more about ovulation, you can book an appointment with our online gynecologist consultation.
When is the best time to do this test?
It is recommended to perform the ovulation test when approximately 11 days have passed since the last period. Ovulation usually begins 14 days later (if the menstrual cycle is 28 days), and the idea is to start testing about three days before.
If the menstrual cycle is not 28 days, it is best to do the calculations based on a menstrual calendar. On the other hand, it is advisable to perform the test daily from that moment on to identify which day you have the highest levels of the LH hormone. This also helps to obtain more precision in case your menstrual cycle is irregular. If you want to know more about ovulation, you can book an appointment with our online gynecologist consultation. If you want to know more about ovulation, you can book an appointment with our online gynecologist consultation.
FAQs about the ovulation test
Below, we answer some frequently asked questions that may arise about ovulation tests:
✚ Is a positive ovulation test days before your period normal?
It is not very common for the ovulation test to be positive in the days before your period, but it could happen if ovulation occurs outside of your usual period. It can also occur in women who suffer from PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) since the production of the LH hormone is usually elevated in these cases.
✚ For how many days can an ovulation test be positive?
There is no standard period since the ovulation test will be positive during the days that ovulation lasts, which can vary for each woman. However, the usual time is about 5 days.
✚ When can you have sex after a positive ovulation test?
If you are looking for pregnancy, the ideal is to have sexual relations a few days before the start of ovulation and during the days when the test is positive.
✚ Do ovulation tests predict pregnancies?
No. The ovulation test is designed to detect luteinizing hormone, while the pregnancy test usually detects the beta-HCG hormone, which progresses as pregnancy progresses.
✚ At what time of day is it most convenient to use ovulation strips?
It is important that it is always done at the same time of day. In addition, you must remain a few hours without urinating beforehand, so it is usually best to do so in the morning. However, as long as you follow these instructions, you can do it at any time.
✚ How long does peak ovulation last?
Peak ovulation usually lasts between 1 and 3 days, with its peak time being between 24 and 36 hours after detecting the highest level of LH. In addition, the period of increased ovulation is usually accompanied by other symptoms, such as an increase in body temperature or the expulsion of vaginal discharge that is whiter and thicker than usual.
✚ What does a positive test mean?
If the result of the ovulation test is positive, it means that you are in the process of ovulation and, therefore, the chances of pregnancy increase.
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