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Using an ovulation predictor test to tell the best time to get pregnant

An ovulation predictor test is used by women to help determine the best time to get pregnant in relation to their menstrual cycle.

LH surge and ovulation best time to get pregnantThe test detects a rise in luteinizing hormone (LH) in the urine. LH is always present in the urine and increases 24 – 48 hours prior to ovulation. A rise in this hormone signals the ovary to release the egg (ovulate). Women often use this at-home test to help predict when ovulation is likely. Ovulation is the most fertile time of the cycle.

Ovulation predictor test kits best time to get pregnant

There are several of these kits and they can be bought at most drug stores.

How the test is performed

Ovulation predictor test kits usually come with five to seven sticks. You may need to test for several days to detect a surge in LH.

The time to test is around the time of your fertile window. To summarize, the specific time of month that you start testing depends on the length of your menstrual cycle. For example, if your normal cycle is 28 days, you'll need to test on day 11 (i.e., the 11th day after you started your period). You can calculate the best time for you to get pregnant with this easy-to-use fertility calendar.

If you have an irregular menstrual cycle, the kit can help you tell when you are ovulating.

You will need to urinate on the test stick, or place the stick into urine that has been collected into a sterile container. The test stick will turn a certain color or display a positive sign if a surge is detected.

A positive result means you should ovulate in the next 24 to 36 hours, but this may not be the case for all women. The booklet that is included in the kit will tell you how to read the results.

You may miss your surge if you miss a day of testing. You may also not be able to detect a surge if you have an irregular menstrual cycle.

How to Prepare for the Test

Do not drink large amounts of fluids before using the test.

Certain drugs can interfere with the ovulation predictor kits e.g. hormones like estrogen, progesterone and testosterone. Estrogens and progesterone may be found in birth control pills and hormone replacement therapy.

When is the best time to have intercourse?

The three days immediately after a positive test represent the best time to have intercourse. This is the best time to get pregnant. The first or second day will account for the day prior to ovulation, and the third day should be the day of ovulation.

When can I check to see if I am pregnant?

It is okay to do a pregnancy test as early as the expected date of your next menstrual flow. If the home pregnancy test is positive, please contact your doctor and get a confirmatory blood pregnancy test.

How accurate are Ovulation Predictor kits?

They are approximately 99% accurate in detecting the LH surge.

Risks

Rarely, false positive results can occur. This means the test kit may falsely predict ovulation.

What should I do if I do not detect a LH surge?

If you have used up all the tests without detecting a LH surge, you probably did not ovulate that month. You may then want to switch to another kit to confirm that you are indeed not ovulating. Talk to your doctor if this happens more than once.

What if I have used the kits for several months and pregnancy has not occurred?

Please remember, it takes 85% of couples up to a year of trying to achieve pregnancy. If after several months of trying, you are not having success, consult with an infertility specialist. In patients older than age 35 years, the interval before seeking help is six months of trying. We would welcome you as a patient at InVia Fertility Specialists.

LH urine tests are not the same as at home fertility monitors. Fertility monitors are digital handheld devices. They predict ovulation based on electrolyte levels in saliva, LH levels in urine, or your basal body temperature. These devices can store ovulation information for several menstrual cycles.

To see a qualified fertility specialist with excellent success rates, make an appointment at one of InVia’s four convenient Chicago-area fertility clinics.best-time-to-get-pregnant-guide

Infertility InVia Fertility Specialists

Dr. Vishvanath Karande

Dr. Vishvanath Karande

Dr. Karande is Board Certified in the specialty of Obstetrics and Gynecology as well as the subspecialty of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility. He is a Fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and Member of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine.

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