What exactly are ovulation test strips?
The design of ovulation test strips is similar to that of pregnancy tests found in many convenience and grocery stores. Instead of indicating when you're pregnant, ovulation test strips show you your fertile window, letting you know when you're most likely to become pregnant.
Ovulation test strips, like store-bought pregnancy tests that detect hCG levels in your urine, detect luteinizing hormone (LH) levels in your urine to tell you when you're most likely to conceive. What makes this possible? It's all because of an LH surge...
Throughout your menstrual cycle, luteinizing hormone is secreted at low levels. However, once a developing egg follicle reaches a certain size, levels rise and an LH surge occurs 24 to 36 hours later, causing ovulation to occur. (If you're curious about the timing, this surge usually happens around the midpoint of your cycle.)
So, what does it all mean? If you're trying to conceive, ovulation is crucial because it marks the end of the fertile window. An egg is only viable for 24 hours after it is released from the ovary.
Unprotected intercourse from 5 days before to 1 day after ovulation gives you the best chance of becoming pregnant. This means you're already in the middle of your fertile window by the time you notice the LH surge.
It is important to note that using ovulation test strips does not guarantee pregnancy. For starters, they do not work for everyone. There are some cases (some of which are discussed below) where the body has an elevated LH level for other reasons, and an LH surge does not indicate ovulation.
Furthermore, ovulation test strips do not test the viability of eggs or sperm and have no effect on fertilization. As a result, having sex during an LH surge does not guarantee that you will have a healthy baby.
If you're unsure whether you're ovulating or if there are any other factors affecting your ability to conceive, talk to your doctor about additional testing.
How do ovulation test strips work?
Because different brands of ovulation test strips have slightly different instructions, it's critical to read the instructions on your specific kit!
In general, you should use the ovulation test strips every day at the same time for several days until you get a positive result. The procedure is typically very simple, involving dipping the test strips in urine and waiting for the results to be read.