How do ovulation test strips predict your most fertile days?

An ovulation test strip detects female hormone levels, or luteinising hormone (LH), in a urine sample. This hormone is usually released just before ovulation, triggering the ovaries to release an egg. Identifying an LH surge will make it easy to pinpoint the most fertile days in a woman’s cycle and schedule sexual activities accordingly.

How do ovulation predictors work? 

As mentioned above, ovulation strips are designed to detect luteinising hormone levels in urine. The test strip contains a chemical reacting to the urine sample’s luteinising hormone. This is shown in a line on the test strip. If the test line is darker than the control line, you have a peak LH surge and are likely to ovulate in the next 24-48 hours.

Like a pregnancy test strip, ovulation predictors have a control line and a test line. The control line shows that the test kit works as expected and enough urine has been absorbed to conduct the test. So if the test line is darker, you get a positive result and have a higher chance of getting pregnant.

When is the best time to start testing?

After taking ovulation tests, understanding your menstrual cycle is key to getting positive results. Start by determining the length of your menstrual cycle, from the first day of your menstrual bleeding to the last day before the next period starts. Reflecting over the last few months will help you know your cycle length and determine if you have a regular or irregular menstrual cycle. Ovulation usually occurs on the 14th day of your cycle, so you should start testing a few days before this date to avoid missing the LH surge. 

When is the best time to take the ovulation test?

One mistake women make is assuming they can use the first-morning urine, which is recommended for pregnancy but not for an ovulation test. This can easily make you miss the LH surge, not identifying the fertile window.

The best time to start collecting urine samples for ovulation tests is between 10 a.m. and 8:10 p.m. Studies have shown that the levels of luteinising hormone in most women are highest during this time. If you test using your first urine in the morning, you will miss the LH surge since the hormone is deficient in the morning, whether you are ovulating or not.

How to conduct the ovulation test

One unique thing you will notice with our ovulation strip tests is that they are simple and easy to use. Here are the basic steps you should follow to get reliable results.

• Determine the best time to do the test – you can even test twice daily.
• Use a urine collection cup or a dry and clean container to collect your urine sample.
• Get an ovulation test strip and open the sealed pouch to remove the strip. Avoid unwrapping the strip too early. We recommend that you remove it when you are ready to start testing.
• Hold the test strip with the arrows pointing towards the urine sample and gently place it into the urine sample for 15 seconds. Make sure the urine does not go above the indicated mark level line.
• Once the tip has absorbed enough urine, you can remove it and place it on a dry flat surface so the colour bands can appear.

Depending on the luteinising hormone concentration in your urine specimen, you may observe a positive result within a minute. However, if the results appear negative, you will have to wait 10 minutes to complete the reaction. Results obtained after 10 minutes should be considered invalid, so it’s recommended that you use a timer to get reliable results. We provided detailed ovulation test instructions with every order that covers all frequently asked questions about when to use an LH test, what a faint line on an ovulation test means, and more. 

How to read the ovulation test results

Our Australian ovulation strip tests come with two lines – the test and the control line. After every test, the control line must be visible to confirm that the strip works as expected. If you get two coloured lines on the test strip, your result is positive. Ideally, the test line must appear darker than the control line.

Frequently asked questions

Why is it advisable to use an ovulation strip test with 25mIU/mL sensitivity?

If you are a young and healthy woman, your body undergoes a natural monthly ovulation cycle. This process primarily aims to prepare your body for monthly fertilisation and ensure the body is ready to accommodate a baby if your egg is fertilised and implanted successfully. 

This process can be divided into four phases: follicular phase – 2.4 to 12.6 mIU/ml,  ovulation phase -14 to 95.6 mIU/ml,  luteal phase -1 to 11.4 mIU/ml,  and postmenopausal – 7.7 – 58.5 mIU/ml. Before the ovulation phase starts, your body will release large amounts of luteinising hormone. This hormone is always present, but the levels spike in the middle of the cycle, which causes the ovary to release the egg. This process is known as ovulation. If you have an LH surge, the chances are that ovulation will likely occur within the next 1 to 2 days.

What does a negative ovulation test result mean?

Most women tend to panic when they keep getting no LH surge results after taking an ovulation test, but this should not be the case. Many reasons could be causing this, and some of them are listed below:

• Your urine sample is too diluted, so you must restrict your fluid intake for a few hours before taking a urine sample.
• The LH surge is too mild to detect by the test strips you use. A low LH peak of 2.5 folds the median value of the baseline.
• The ovulation predictor kits did not absorb enough urine to complete the test successfully.
• You may be testing during the wrong time of the day. Testing in the early to mid-afternoon is recommended because the levels of LH hormone are higher.
• You may be testing during the wrong cycle time, which is particularly common for women who don’t have regular menstrual cycles.
• The ovulation test strip you are using is out-of-date or faulty.
• You are misusing the ovulation predictor kit.

What does having a prolonged LH surge mean?

Generally, the LH surge takes about 2 to 3 days if it is regular. If you notice that your LH surge takes longer than three days, then there could be a problem. Common causes of a prolonged LH surge include PCOS, anovulation, early pregnancy, and menopause. Consider consulting your healthcare provider to know the actual cause of the problem and get proper treatment if necessary.

Can ovulation strip tests be used if I have irregular periods?

Women with irregular periods can use ovulation strip tests, but it may be more difficult to determine the best time to test. It is recommended to consult with a healthcare professional for guidance.

Are ovulation predictor kits regulated and approved for use in Australia?

Yes, ovulation predictor kits are regulated and approved for use in Australia. These kits are classified as medical devices by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and must meet certain safety, quality, and performance standards. Additionally, they must be included on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG) before being supplied in Australia. This ensures that ovulation predictor kits available in Sydney and other parts of Australia are safe and effective.

Benefits of using urine collection cups

Using Fertility2Family urine collection cups, which are available with every pregnancy test strip and selected fertility test kits for free, using urine collection cups makes testing cleaner and easier. The cups are available in packs of 10,20 to 200 and can be bought without early-detection pregnancy kits or ovulation predictor kits (OPKS).

• You can purchase extra disposable urine collection cups in packs of 10 – 200
• Each urine collection cup has a handle which makes collecting a sample easier.
• Deep 40ml cups allow you to collect enough urine samples for multiple testing.
• Compatible with all test strips, whether the Dip & read LH tests, hCG and even the Instream pregnancy test.
• Lowers the chances of false positives and false negatives with contamination

Ovulation tests Australia reviews.

I have been using the Fertility2Family ovulation strip tests for the past three months and have successfully predicted my fertile days. The instructions are easy to follow, and the results are highly accurate. I also appreciate the company’s fast delivery and great customer service. Sandy, Gosford, Australia.

I have been trying to conceive for over a year and decided to give ovulation strip tests a try. I am so glad I chose Fertility2Family’s product. The tests are very easy to use, and the results are accurate. I also appreciate that they offer many tests in one package, making it more cost-effective. I would recommend these ovulation strip tests to others. Michelle G, Melbourne, Australia.