Expectant mothers: how to determine ovulation. Ovulation test How to determine ovulation with a test

For a successful pregnancy, not only the quality of the biological material is necessary, but also the ability to use it, namely, to calculate auspicious days for conception. For this, schedules, calendars, observation of symptoms and ultrasound are used. One of the most reliable methods is determination by probing. To establish accurate results, you need to know how to do an ovulation test correctly.

Ovulation is the process of release of a mature oocyte from the follicular cavity through the action of luteinizing hormone and estradiol on the walls of the follicle. Before ovulation, estrogen predominates in the body, in the luteinizing phase -.

High estrogen levels are indicative of large sizes follicle, as more and more shell cells are able to produce the hormone. A high concentration of estrogen is a marker for an LH surge. The peak concentration of the hormone in a woman's body is 1-1.5 days before ovulation. It is under the influence of LH that a rupture of the follicle is possible. The duration of the ovulatory process is 16-32 hours.

Before doing an ovulation study, you need to determine the days to start daily calculations. First, you should find out the duration of your own cycle. At normal level hormones, its duration is the same, and ovulation occurs with deviations of 1-3 days. With an irregular cycle, you need to fix the duration of the shortest of them within 6 months and count on it.

General rules for urine analysis

The informativeness of diagnostics lies in the strict observance of the rules for its implementation. In addition to the attached instructions, there are criteria that can affect the quality of the test material:

The amount of liquid drunk before the diagnosis affects the concentration of LH in the urine. This means that a normal amount of water must be drunk prior to the test, as concentrated or watery material may give a false positive or false negative result.
The strips must be kept in vacuum packed. If the integrity of the packaging has been compromised, this may cause false results.
For greater accuracy, it is better to conduct a study in the morning and in the evening. Before taking urine, you must refrain from emptying Bladder within 4 hours, this means that the first morning urine is not suitable for analysis.
Before testing, you need to study the instructions, since if the analysis is carried out incorrectly, the gadget may be mistaken.
Before use, it is necessary to stop taking hormonal drugs, as they reduce the reliability of the results.
With irregular cycles, the diagnostic results are not informative as a means of natural contraception.

Instruction

The instructions usually describe how to use the ovulation test, may indicate the general rules for conducting, the principle of operation of the device and the evaluation of the results.

For diagnostics using a strip strip, you must:

Take care of the hygiene of the genitals in advance.
Collect urine into a vessel after a 4-hour abstinence from urination.
After that, the strip strip must be lowered with a sensitive end into the liquid for 15-20 seconds and placed on a horizontal surface.
The result can be seen in 5 minutes.
If the test showed a weak second strip, a second test is recommended after 12 hours or a day.

Analysis of results

If before the analysis one strip was already present on the device, this indicates its unsuitability. A false result also occurs when liquid enters the boundary strip.

Counting 17 days from the end menstrual cycle a test is performed, the results of which can be as follows:

On the first day of the study, a faint second line on the ovulation test may be observed. This indicates an insignificant concentration of LH, which means that the next test should be carried out in a day.
If after a day the second strip is seen better than during the first test, this indicates a gradual increase in the level of the hormone. In the future, it is recommended to do testing 2 times a day.
If the strip is pale or absent after testing for several days, this indicates a shift in ovulation, a violation of folliculogenesis, or diseases of the endocrine system.
If the band becomes brighter with each test, but its tone does not reach the concentration of the control band, the results may indicate that the result is weakly positive.
If the stripes during the test are equally bright or more saturated than the control, the result is positive.
In the absence of a control strip, most likely, either the packaging was broken, or the device was defective in production.

It is important to keep in mind that the listed decryption options are based on the correct conduct of the test, which means that any violation of the instructions can cause a false positive result.

Inkjet ovulation tests

The inkjet test is an upgraded version of the strip strip. It is performed without urine collection. For probing, you need to substitute the sensitive end of the device under the stream of urine. The results of an ovulation test can be seen in a few minutes.

The convenience of this method of analysis is that for probing there is no need to look for a vessel and conduct urine sampling. The device is in a special plastic package that protects it from excess moisture. The test is recommended to be carried out 2 times a day to calculate best time for conception.

Digital instruments - features of the result evaluation

An electronic ovulation test differs in the method of evaluating the result. The method of its implementation is the same as with the inkjet test, however, to establish the presence of the ovulatory process, there is no need to independently check the shades, compare the results with previous analyzes.

To conduct the test, it is necessary to open one of the strips, and then remove the special cap from the device. The device must be inserted into the holder so that the arrow on it coincides with the one on the device, after which a signal about the readiness of the test should sound for 1 minute.

After this signal, you need to substitute the device under the stream of urine for 5-7 seconds, if the urine was collected in advance, you need to place the sensitive end for 15-20 seconds, then you can postpone the test while waiting for the results. The device, 20 seconds after exposure to the liquid, should emit a signal about the readiness of the test, which indicates the correctness of the process.

The answer will appear on the screen in 2-3 minutes. There can only be 2 results:

an empty circle, which indicates a negative result and a low level of LH;
smiley, which means a high concentration of luteinizing hormone, and approaching ovulation.

Saliva testers - advantages

When examining saliva, there are no problems, such as recognizing a weak line on an ovulation test, there is no need to compare with previous tests. It is known that at the moment of release of the oocyte, salts form a pattern similar to the outlines of a fern leaf due to abrupt hormonal changes.

Reusable saliva tests are divided into mechanical microscopes and electronic ones. If ovulation has occurred, an electronic test shows that the result is positive, you can independently assess the state of saliva using a microscope. You can do an ovulation test in the morning and in the evening.

The device was created to determine not only the rupture of the follicle, but is a marker of other processes occurring in the body of a woman:

favorable days for conception;
cause of infertility;
the reason for the delay in menstruation;
the threat of miscarriage or fading of the fetus;
pregnancy up to 1-1.5 weeks;
assess the state of the hormonal background during menopause;
gender of the baby;
diseases of the reproductive system.

How to use

The reusable hormone tester is the most accurate test on the market.

For probing, you need to put a small amount of saliva or urine on a glass slide and observe its change. appearance. This must be done with sterile instruments. Under the influence of estrogens, the salts in the test material, when dried, turn into strokes and lines, the location of which can be varied. It will depend on the concentration of estrogen in the body, which reaches its peak along with LH.

If, during the study on the approximate days of ovulation, the crystals do not change their structure, this may indicate late ovulation, impaired folliculogenesis, or pregnancy.

Which saliva test to choose

Reusable tests are expensive devices, but at irregular rates, they help to more accurately determine the rupture of the egg. Of the microscopes, the most common are Ovulux, Arbor Elite, MAYBE MOM. A popular electronic pocket "laboratory" in the post-Soviet space is D.

Outcome

An ovulation test is the best method of pregnancy planning, as it helps to determine the beginning of the process of rupture of the follicular membrane with 99% accuracy. To independently determine the day of the ovulation process, urine and saliva tests are used. Each of them has its own advantages, however, in choosing a planning system, one must proceed not only from convenience or price, but also from the quality and sensitivity of the instruments.

Regardless of the manufacturer of the dough and its type, the most important thing is to follow the instructions and general rules testing.

Instruction

There are several types of ovulation tests. The most common of these are paper test strips that are lowered into a vessel with urine, the result is shown in them by the development of two multi-colored lines. Slightly more advanced are available in the form of plastic cassettes, urine is applied to the test area with a pipette. And the most advanced are mini-computers that display the result of the test on the display. But they all work on the same principle - a special substance reacts with the luteinizing hormone and allows you to evaluate its concentration in the urine.

A mature egg is capable of fertilization for only a very short time. This period is only a day after ovulation. Modern tests allow tracking this moment with a fairly high accuracy, since luteinizing hormone becomes the very substance that provokes the release of an egg from the ovary into the abdominal cavity, and it is its presence that the test reagent shows. The highest concentration is observed in the body exactly 24 hours before ovulation. And if within a day after the test has become positive, a woman has sexual intercourse, her chance increases significantly.

The correct use of tests for can be considered at their simplest version. Usually one package contains 5 test strips and should be started 5-6 days before the expected ovulation. Having collected a portion of morning urine, it will be enough to lower the strip into it to the designated line, put it on a flat surface and wait for the test readings. It should be remembered that the appearance of the second strip cannot be unambiguously interpreted as a positive result. Luteinizing hormone is also found in the urine a few days before ovulation, so a weak strip on the test will mean absolutely nothing, and only when the test and control strips are equal in color, it will be possible to say with confidence that a few hours remain before the release of the egg from the ovary .

note

A positive ovulation test does not mean a guaranteed pregnancy in this cycle. The likelihood of conception depends on many factors, and some women take several months before they can be congratulated on this wonderful event.

Useful advice

The results of ovulation test cassettes are evaluated in the same way as test strips. But the computer itself is able to determine whether the concentration of the hormone is sufficient to declare the result positive.

The need to determine favorable days for conception is faced by women planning a pregnancy. Among the large number of ways to find out the day of ovulation, home tests are especially popular. The reason for this is the simplicity of the study and the accuracy of the results.

Instruction

You can buy ovulation tests at any pharmacy. Despite the range and number of varieties, their action is reduced to determining the level of luteinizing hormone in the urine. Its sharp release is noted during the period of ovulation, and tests for this give a positive result.

It takes more than one day for the egg to mature. This process is individual for each. Someone happens on the tenth day of the cycle, and someone is forced to wait for it for months. With a standard cycle of 28 days, the egg matures by the fourteenth day from the onset of menstruation. If the cycle is longer or shorter than the lunar month, the day of ovulation cannot be guessed.

Determine the average length of your cycle over the past year. Subtract 17 from the received number. It is from this day that you should start testing. Thus, at medium length cycle of 30 days, the first test will need to be carried out on the 13th day from the beginning of menstruation. With a 25-day cycle, testing begins from the 8th day, i.e. almost immediately after the end of menstruation.

Test every day at the same time. The first morning urine is not suitable for research, it is better if the test is done before lunch. It is advisable not to drink a lot of fluids, and also to refrain from urinating 3-4 hours before testing.

Lower the test to the level indicated by the arrows in a container with urine. After 5-8 seconds, remove it from there and place it on a dry, flat surface. You can evaluate the result after 3 minutes.

Compare the control and test lines in terms of brightness. If the test strip is paler than the control, ovulation has not yet occurred. In this case, testing should be repeated in subsequent days. The day on which the stripes are equal in brightness, and will be favorable for conception.

How to determine the very day of ovulation? This question is asked by almost every woman who plans to experience the happiness of motherhood. Nowadays, it is quite easy to find out with an ovulation test. It works on the same principle as a pregnancy test, only unlike the first one, it examines the level of luteinizing hormone in the urine, its increase tells us about the onset of ovulation.

You will need

- instruction;
- test;
- capacity;
- urine (saliva);

Instruction

It is recommended that you start using an ovulation test approximately 17 days before your next expected period. It is advisable to do an ovulation test not once, but 2 times a day for a week. Such a sequence is necessary in order to catch the peak level of luteinizing hormone concentration, which lasts in a woman's body for less than twenty-four hours and can occur both in the morning and in the evening.
Try to take the test at the same time every day. The most successful time for the test is from 10 am to 20 pm. Cut down on fluid intake a few hours before testing. If your cycle is not at all regular, then in this case it makes sense to combine the use of tests with ultrasound monitoring.

It is recommended that you start using an ovulation test approximately 17 days before your next expected period. It is advisable to do an ovulation test not once, but twice a day for a week. Such a sequence is necessary in order to catch the peak level of luteinizing hormone concentration, which lasts in a woman's body for less than twenty-four hours and can occur both in the morning and in the evening.
Try to take the test at the same time every day. The most successful time for the test is from ten in the morning to twenty in the evening. Cut down on fluid intake a few hours before testing. If your cycle is not at all regular, then in this case it makes sense to combine the use of tests with ultrasound monitoring.

Evaluate the test results and compare the result line with the control line. The control strip always appears in the window if the test is performed correctly.
If the test strip is much brighter than the control line or the same color as it, then this result is positive. From this point on, two days are considered the most suitable for conception. If the test strip is paler than the control line, then such a test is considered negative and testing should be continued.

note

1. Test strip. This is an analogue of a pregnancy test, it is placed in a container with urine up to the limit line with arrows for 30 seconds, after which the result is evaluated.
2. Test cassettes. They work on the same principle as test tablets for determining pregnancy. It is enough to substitute it under a stream of urine or drop a drop of urine on it, after a while the result will be visible in the window.
3. Inkjet tests. Such a test is the most accessible and reliable of the existing tests at the moment. It can be used by substituting for 5 seconds under the stream of urine, or directly placed in a container with urine.
4. Digital test. This test does not analyze urine, but saliva. It is necessary to place a little saliva on the lens, and then determine the pattern (pattern) on the saliva, focusing on the data of a special sensor. This type of test is quite expensive, but it has no competitors in terms of reliability!

Useful advice

If you want to have a girl, in this case, you should plan sex 2-3 days before ovulation. Then the carriers of Y chromosomes will die and only X chromosomes will remain, which will conceive a girl. Chromosomes (male) are more mobile, but less viable, so in order to get pregnant with a boy, you need to have sex on the day of ovulation or on the day close to its onset.

An ovulation test strip allows you to determine the days on which a woman is most ready to conceive. They appeared relatively recently, and few know about them. But women who cannot get pregnant in any way use this diagnostic tool to determine the time of ovulation, significantly increasing the chances of conception.

The principle of determining ovulation using a test

In every healthy woman, immediately after the next menstruation, a new egg begins to mature (sometimes 2 or more). Before the maturation and immediate release of the egg from the ovary, significant hormonal changes occur in the female body: an increase in the level of hormones responsible for readiness for subsequent fertilization is found in the blood (see).

One of them is called luteinizing hormone (LH) and can be detected by diagnostic methods both in the blood and in other body fluids - saliva, urine. Home diagnostics is based on the definition of this hormone: a positive ovulation test will indicate that the egg is already mature and ready for conception.

When to do an ovulation test

The time of the test is calculated depending on the duration of the menstrual cycle. Diagnostics is carried out for five days in a row, without gaps, in the morning and evening with double testing or only in the morning.

With a 28-day cycle, you can test from day 11, which is counted from the first day of the last menstruation.
If the cycle is more than 28 days, the diagnosis begins 17 days before the expected first day of the next menstruation.
With an irregular cycle, the shortest cycle that the woman had was taken as the initial figure, for example:
- with a 32-day cycle, start testing from the 15th day
- at 24 days: from day 7
- at 26 days: from the 9th day from the first day of menstruation, etc.

Does ovulation always occur in the middle of the cycle?

Even in absolutely healthy women with a regular cycle, ovulation does not always fall in its middle: this is evidenced by thousands of born children, whose conception occurred on the so-called safe days before or after menstruation. Ovulation is affected by stress, infections, climate change, and more. Therefore, it is possible to “catch” a high level of LH both earlier and later than the dates indicated above, if this is really important for a woman.

Types of tests, diagnostic features

Outwardly, ovulation tests are similar to those for determining pregnancy; urine is also used for diagnosis. Test manufacturers produce different types diagnostic systems that have different price characteristics and reliability.

Strip test or test strip

The most common paper test with a reagent applied to it and a control strip. The test is lowered into a dry and clean bowl with freshly collected urine for 10 seconds, then you should wait for the result within 5-10 minutes.

With an elevated LH level, a second strip will be visible on the strip.
It can be visible from the first day of diagnosis, but one can speak of a reliable readiness for conception with the color and severity of the second strip, the same as the control one (usually it is 3-4 days of diagnosis).

Test tablet

This system is a plastic case with small control windows: urine should be dropped into the first window, the result will be visible in the other after a short time (2-3 minutes), the same 2 strips at a high level of LH. The reliability of tablet tests is rated higher than that of test strips.

Inkjet rapid test

This system is represented by a strip coated with a special reagent with a control strip. For diagnosis, you do not need to collect urine: the strip is simply substituted under the stream of urine. The result is evaluated after 3-5 minutes. What the ovulation test shows - with a high level of LH, 2 strips will be visible.

Portable reusable systems

Consist of a control electronic device and strips designed to be immersed in freshly collected urine. They are highly informative and allow diagnostics in different days cycle, allowing you to determine the most suitable time for conception.

Digital ovulation test

A highly informative reusable system that uses the saliva of a woman who changes her physical properties during the cycle. The most accurate diagnostics, eliminating the error. In fact, it is a mini-microscope, it looks like lipstick.

With the help of a miniature magnifying device, a specific pattern can be seen in the examined saliva, similar to a fern leaf or a frosty pattern. This pattern appears only before the release of the egg.

Features of the use of home express diagnostics for determining ovulation

It should be understood that the test does not directly indicate the release of the egg from the ovary, but only captures elevated level LG. Those. with a positive ovulation test, a hormonal surge is noted, which indicates the release of a mature egg in the coming hours.
The highest level of LH is kept for less than a day, so it is recommended to carry out diagnostics 2 times a day (morning and evening) in order to be more likely to catch this moment.
You should not drink a lot of liquid three to four hours before testing, so as not to dilute the urine.
When using a digital saliva test, be sure to compare the result with the control picture.

Negative test

Determined if ovulation is still far away.
An ovulation test after ovulation will also be negative - after the release of the egg from the ovary, the LH level drops.
An expired, damaged, poor-quality ovulation test can also show 1 line when there is actually a high level of LH.

When should I start conceiving directly after a positive ovulation test?

This question worries everyone, but the instructions for the ovulation test do not contain such information, and not everyone is able to ask the doctor directly. So, let's figure it out:

A positive test tells us that in the next few hours the egg will come out of the ovary, mature and ready for fertilization.
The egg cell lives only 24 hours after leaving the gonad.
Thus, it is not worth starting conception immediately after a positive test, you need to pause for several hours, allowing the egg to leave the ovary. Optimal time: 5-10 hours after diagnosis, not forgetting that the egg lives only a day.
It is not worth delaying this moment for the last hours of the cherished day, since fertilization itself does not occur immediately immediately after sexual intercourse, but after several hours, during which the sex cells move towards each other.

How to increase the chances of conceiving a boy or girl?

It is known that if an egg is fertilized by a sperm with an X chromosome, then a female embryo develops, if a sperm with a Y chromosome develops a male. There is also a theory that sperm with X and Y chromosomes have different characteristics, which increase the chances of conceiving a child of the desired sex.

It is known that spermatozoa live from 1 to 4.5 days, and spermatozoa with the Y chromosome (boy) live no more than 1-2 days, but move faster than spermatozoa with the X chromosome (girl). The spermatozoa that lead to the conception of a girl are more hardy and can survive up to 5 days in anticipation of ovulation, but are less mobile. That is, if sexual intercourse is performed at the very peak of ovulation, spermatozoa Y (boy) will reach the “target” faster and then the probability of having a boy is very high.

So, to conceive a boy, it is desirable:

Refuse sexual intercourse 4-5 days before the expected ovulation.
Have intercourse on the day when the ovulation test is positive
Intercourse penetration is preferably "deep", which will shorten the path of Y spermatozoa (living so shortly) to the egg.
Men should not experience overheating because fever, caused by warm clothes, sauna, etc., leads to a decrease in the number of spermatozoa (it is believed that Y spermatozoa die faster from overheating).

To conceive a girl, it is desirable:

Schedule sexual intercourse approximately 2-3 days before expected ovulation and do not have sexual intercourse during and for 2-3 days after ovulation.
In this case, the chances of survival in X spermatozoa are higher than in Y spermatozoa.
Penetration should be shallow, which will reduce the chances of the sperm reaching the target, resulting in the conception of boys, and X sperm will survive and be able to reach the egg in these few days.

Method for measuring basal temperature

It is also one of the ways to determine ovulation, unlike the test - it does not require expenses Money, and requires only regular measurement of temperature in the rectum (every morning before getting out of bed). After menstruation basal body temperature, as a rule, below 37C, but in the middle of the cycle before ovulation it decreases, and then, if ovulation has occurred, the temperature rises to 37.3-37.6C. The measurement results should be recorded and plotted, this will help the woman determine whether she ovulated and on what day.

Does an ovulation test show pregnancy?

Among the forum users of various women's portals, this topic is hotly discussed, moreover, some of them claim that the ovulation test showed them pregnancy from the first days of conception, while the usual one was negative.

It should be understood that this is not possible. After ovulation is completed, the ovulation test becomes negative, regardless of whether the woman is pregnant or not. All pregnancy and ovulation tests capture different hormones: hCG and LH, and cannot react to each other.

From this we conclude that the ovulation test will not show pregnancy, and 2 strips on it are evidence of impending ovulation (that is, the time when there is a chance to get pregnant), but not pregnancy.

What else is this test used for?

To prevent pregnancy during unprotected intercourse. A controversial method, since it requires constant testing, which is not always economically feasible, but still practiced. If even a weak second strip appears, you should switch to protected sexual intercourse until the second day after the strip has completely disappeared. However, there is no guarantee.

Can I do ovulation tests every day?

It is absolutely harmless, and if the budget allows - why not. This behavior is typical for, or if it is suspected. You should not be so obsessively expecting a miracle and endlessly doing tests, but it’s better to calm down and, so to speak, “let go of the situation” - and then the cherished 2 stripes will definitely be highlighted already on the test for diagnosing pregnancy.

Overview of popular ovulation tests

Despite the same mechanism of action, ovulation tests from different manufacturers differ in the reliability of the result. Women have the greatest confidence in 3 manufacturers, a wide range of diagnostic systems of which are presented in pharmacies and retail chains: Frautest, Eviplan and Clearblue.

Frautest

The manufacturer produces three lines of diagnostic tests to determine ovulation. All of them are characterized by a high degree of reliability:


Ovulation: 5 test strips, suitable for women with regular cycles. The price is about 300 rubles.	Planning: 5 ovulation test strips (same as Ovulation) and 2 pregnancy tests. The price is about 420 rubles.	Ovulation test cassettes: 7 tests suitable for women with irregular cycles. The price is about 750 rubles.

Eviplan Clearblue


The Eviplan ovulation test No. 5 includes 5 diagnostic strips and 1 pregnancy test. The reliability is high, the same as that of Frautest, but the cost is less, about 310 rubles.	Clearblue Ovulation Test - This digital test kit includes an electronic reader and 7 control strips. The e-reader will show a smiley face if the result is positive. The price is about 1000 rubles.

Lady-Q, INSURE, OVUPLAN


A digital reusable device that promises 100% accuracy. The woman's saliva is used. Includes: microscope, removable glass, instructions and control drawings. The price is about 2000 rubles.	Domestic test strips (5 pieces per set), promising 99% reliable results. They are chosen due to the low price - 150 rubles.	Inkjet test strips, 99% reliable, but less popular among women. The price is about 200 rubles.

The ovulation test is a modern effective method definitions favorable period in order to conceive a child. This method is very simple, and any woman can put it into practice.

Not only can this test work for its intended purpose, helping you plan your pregnancy, but it can also be used as a natural contraceptive method, helping you determine the days when it's best to avoid intimacy.

The principle of the test is based on determining as accurately as possible the moment when ovulation occurs. Ovulation refers to the phase of a woman's menstrual cycle when the egg matures, becoming ready for fertilization, and exits the dominant follicle into the fallopian tubes, where it can meet the sperm.

The effect of the test is based on the fact that before ovulation in the female body there is a sharp jump in the level of luteinizing hormone (LH), which is easiest to detect for testing in the urine. And this jump hormonal background occurs 24-36 hours before the onset of ovulation. The meaning of the test is to accurately determine the moment when the level of luteinizing hormone in the urine is at its highest.

Varieties of tests

The most commonly encountered and used in practice are the following types:

The test strip is very similar in appearance to a regular pregnancy test. It must be lowered for 5-8 seconds into a clean container with urine, and then put on a flat and dry surface. You can get acquainted with the test result in 3-5 minutes.
The test midstream must, after releasing it from the protective cap, be placed for 5 seconds under the stream of urine, while the urine must fall on a special surface, which is indicated by arrows or otherwise. After completing this procedure, the test must be placed on a dry, flat surface, before closing the cap back. The result can be seen in 10 minutes.

There are more advanced versions of the ovulation test, including electronic ones. But they are quite expensive, although they differ in the most accurate result. It is best to test with them for several days in a row at the same time (preferably not in the morning, but before lunch, while you should refrain from going to the toilet for 3-4 hours).

How to use the ovulation test is detailed in the instructions for use, and the method of application directly depends on the type of test.

General instructions for using the ovulation test

Step 1. When is the best time to test?

If a woman menstruates regularly, and the cycle length is the same every month, then you can easily determine the approximate day of the onset of ovulation. It occurs 14 days before menstruation, but you need to start testing to determine the LH jump in the urine a little in advance - 2-3 days before the expected ovulation or even earlier. Thus, from the first day of the next menstruation, it is necessary to count back 16-18 days on the calendar - this date will be the day when you need to start doing ovulation tests.

If monthly cycle each time has a different length, then to calculate the day of the start of testing, you need to focus on the shortest cycle in duration.

It is desirable to test in the morning, but do not use the first morning urine for the test.

Step-2. Which test to choose?

You can choose any test available at your pharmacy. The most common are Frautest both in the form of test strips and in the form of cassettes. Most often, there are several pieces in a set, and this is very convenient, since they can be used for testing for several days.

Step-3. How do an ovulation test correctly?

To do this, carefully study the instructions and do everything exactly as it is written. There may be two options depending on the selected test:

or dip the test strip into the container with urine up to the mark,
or substitute the marked area of the test cassette under the stream of urine.

In both cases, the procedure takes about 5 seconds, after which you need to put the test on a dry, flat surface. You can see the result in about 5 minutes.

Step-4. How to decipher the test result?

To determine the result, you need to compare the resulting strip with the control. If they are the same in brightness, then the test gave a positive result, and ovulation will come very soon (after about 24-36 hours). This means that in a day or two you will be able to successfully conceive. If the strip is paler than the control, then ovulation is still far away, and it is worth re-testing after 12-24 hours.

When can pregnancy be determined after ovulation?

Many women are interested in when to take a pregnancy test after ovulation, that is, how quickly you can get reliable test results and tests. The thing is that the level of the hormone, the content of which indicates the presence of pregnancy - human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) - does not increase as quickly as LH before ovulation, and the fastest reliable results can only be achieved by passing a blood test. With the help of such an analysis, it is possible to determine the onset of pregnancy already 6-10 days after the last ovulation, that is, even before a possible menstruation.

The level of hCG in the urine is two times lower than in the blood, and the maximum level of this hormone will be reached only 8-10 weeks after the onset of pregnancy. Therefore, it is recommended to use pregnancy tests only after a delay in menstruation, that is, 15-16 days after ovulation and later.

Ovulation tests - How to determine at home?

Many women feel when they are ovulating. At this time, the viscosity of vaginal discharge increases, sexual desire increases, and pain in the ovary area may be felt. However, for effective pregnancy planning, you cannot rely on these feelings. It is necessary to regularly conduct an ovulation test, which will make it possible to determine the most favorable moment for fertilization.

Why carry it out?

Ovulation is the moment when an egg ready for fertilization is released from the follicle located in the ovary into the abdominal cavity, and then into the fallopian tube. Here it will unite with the sperm, resulting in the formation of a zygote. She will move to the uterus, where the further development of pregnancy will take place.

In order to accurately determine the time of release of the female germ cell from the ovary and the best time for conception, it is very convenient to use a special test strip. This simple study will help a couple plan their pregnancy.

Operating principle

Ovulation can be determined using a normal homemade test, which is sold in any pharmacy. The principle of the study is based on the exact determination of the concentration of luteinizing hormone in the urine. The level of this substance in women varies depending on the period of the menstrual cycle. Just before ovulation, it reaches its maximum values.

The ovulation test makes it possible to register such an increase in the level of luteinizing hormone, the peak of which will indicate the onset of ovulation. It works on the same principle as a pregnancy test. It uses other substances that respond to an increase in the concentration of luteinizing hormone, and not human chorionic gonadotropin.

On sale there are devices for determining luteinizing hormone in saliva. They are more convenient, designed for repeated use, but have a high price.

A positive ovulation test indicates that the best time to conceive an unborn baby is in the next 2 days.

Some women use such testing to determine "dangerous days" in the calendar method of contraception. However, the effectiveness of this method is low. Spermatozoa that have entered the genitals of a woman can linger in them, "waiting" for the release of the egg. Therefore, it is possible to become pregnant with sexual contact that occurred before the release of the egg.

Rules for holding

Most tests contain 5 strips. This is due to the fact that it is extremely rare to calculate the moment of ovulation at once, and repeated studies significantly increase the accuracy of diagnosis.

What day is the right time to do an ovulation test?

You need to start testing on the eve of the expected date of release of the egg. It is necessary to determine the duration of the menstrual cycle and subtract 17 days. If the cycle lasts 28 days, you need to start the study from day 11, counting from the first day of menstruation. With irregular menstruation, the average value of 4 or even 6 cycles in a row should be taken as a basis.

How to use an ovulation test?

Each box contains detailed instructions. You only need to place the test strip in a container of warm urine or substitute it under the stream when urinating, then dry and store. The next strip is used in exactly the same way at the same time. This is repeated until a positive result is obtained.

within 4 hours do not drink water and other liquids;
do not urinate at least 2 hours before testing;
do not use the first portion of urine obtained in the morning;
the best time for testing is from 10 am to 8 pm.

Ovulation test results

After completing the study, a woman can get the following indicators:

absence or very weak line (significantly paler than the control) - the test is negative;
there are both strips, not counting the control - the test is positive.

If the test is negative, it means that some more time will pass before the release of the egg.

If the test showed two stripes, this indicates a possible release of the egg from the follicle within the next 12-48 hours. The brighter the second strip appears, the greater the concentration of luteinizing hormone, and the closer ovulation. A positive result persists for 1-2 days, rarely for 3 days.

If none of the strips is visible, this is a sign that the test is not suitable for use.

A positive test confirms the highest fertility during the menstrual cycle. If a woman is trying to get pregnant, she needs to plan sexual intercourse within the next 3 days after ovulation.

False test results

It may happen that the test result is positive, but ovulation does not occur. Substances that react to the concentration of luteinizing hormone in the urine are very sensitive. Therefore, there is a slight chance that they will catch a small increase in the concentration of the hormone.

Most effective method confirm ovulation - ultrasound of the ovary. Many women measure at the same time as testing. This is a simple and informative way to find out at home about the onset of ovulation. The temperature in the rectum rises the next day after this. Combined with testing, this gives an accurate result.

Sometimes, despite the negative result, ovulation still occurs. This is usually due to non-compliance with the instructions for using the test. The study should be carried out at the same time, in the afternoon or in the evening. In addition, an irregular cycle may be the cause, and then other methods are used to determine the time of release of the egg.

Contraindications for use

The results may be distorted under the influence of hormonal drugs prescribed to a woman for gynecological diseases (, and others). However, these drugs in most cases also have a contraceptive effect, so getting pregnant while taking them will not work.

Ovulation tests are not performed during pregnancy or after menopause.

Best Ovulation Tests

In pharmacies, you can buy test kits from different companies. Let's consider some of them.

Clearblue Digital Ovulation Test

Shows results with 99% accuracy. It consists of a plastic case and a test module. Before starting the study, you need to remove both parts of the test and insert the strip into the case until it clicks. Then you need to wait for the flashing symbol to appear on the body of the device. It will show that the test is ready to use.

Ovulation test "Clearblue"

Next, you need to collect a portion of urine in a dry, clean container and place the absorbent part of the strip in it for 15 seconds. You can simply put the end of the test module under the stream while urinating for 5 seconds, but there is a danger of wetting the device itself.

The housing can be placed on a flat surface or held with the sampler facing down. You can not lift it with a strip up. After half a minute, a flashing signal will appear, indicating that the result is ready. After that, you need to remove the test, remove the cap from it and wait 3 minutes.

After this time, a “smiley” will appear on the body of the device. This means that ovulation has come, and the best time to conceive is the next 48 hours. If the circle remains empty, then the hormone level is normal. After that, you need to throw away the strip, and the next day, repeat the study.

No need to pay attention to the stripes that appear on the test module. You can find out the result only on the display of the device. It is displayed for 8 minutes.

The digital ovulation test is highly accurate. When using it, you do not need to independently evaluate the brightness of the strips. This makes Clearblue one of the best products in its segment. It is more expensive than conventional strips, but it is more convenient to use and more reliable.

Frautest for ovulation

If a woman has a reason to use not an electronic device, but test strips, Frautest will suit her. The kit contains 5 strips for determining luteinizing hormone, as well as 2 tests for diagnosing pregnancy. In addition, there are 7 containers for urine, which increases the convenience of use.

Frautest ovulation test strips

The strip should be immersed in the container with urine in the direction of the arrows up to the Max mark, it is not necessary to immerse it deeper. After 5 seconds, you need to remove the strip and put it to dry on the edge of the container with urine. Colored lines will start to appear after a minute, but the final assessment is made after 10 minutes. If 2 bright lines appear, the test is positive. It is not recommended to evaluate the result after 30 minutes or more.

The test is one-time, after use it and the urine container must be thrown away.

Other popular test strips are Eviplan, Ovuplan, Femiplan.

Tablet tests

Devices that combine ease of use and accuracy - tablet, or cassette.

Tablet (cassette, inkjet) test for ovulation "Femitest"

These are reusable devices that determine ovulation in the urine. It is enough to substitute the window of the device under the jet, and after a while one or two strips will be displayed on the screen. Examples of such tests are Frautest, Evitest, Ovuplan Lux, Femitest cassettes.

Electronic test that determines the level of estrogen in saliva

Considered the most reliable. Hence its high cost. The principle of its work is to study a drop of saliva under a microscope. Before ovulation, salt crystals begin to form in it, first forming horizontal and vertical lines, and at the time of ovulation, a pattern resembling a fern. If ovulation has not occurred, the saliva sample contains only individual grains - “sand”.

The readings of this test do not depend on the level of luteinizing hormone. Therefore, it is especially suitable for women with hormonal disorders.

The simplest device in the series is the MaybeMom microscope. It is equipped with good optics and gives a reliable result in 98% of cases. The OVU test allows you to examine not only saliva, but also cervical mucus. Eva-Test is a mini-laboratory, fully computerized and independently issuing ready-made data on ovulation.

Test microscope "Maybe Mom" for determining ovulation by a drop of saliva

Electronic tests that determine ovulation by saliva are considered the most accurate. Compact microscopes are easy to use and convenient. They are reusable, there is no need to constantly buy test strips. You need to examine saliva in the morning, before drinking water and brushing your teeth.

Some devices, such as Eva-Test, make it possible not only to determine ovulation, but also to protect yourself from pregnancy, to notice the threat of miscarriage in time. Such an ovulation test shows pregnancy for a period of 1 week. It is able to help in the diagnosis of gynecological diseases and even determine the sex of the unborn baby. Although consumer reviews speak of some inconvenience of the device, the need to reconfigure it and the high price, for some women it is best suited.

The Vesta device also belongs to this category. Manufacturers claim that such devices also show “safe” days, hormone levels in menopause, possible cause absence of menstruation.

FAQ

What is the chance of pregnancy on fertile days?

The chances of getting pregnant will vary from cycle to cycle and from woman to woman. It depends on many conditions such as the age of the woman, her partner, general health and lifestyle. On average, the probability of pregnancy on the day of ovulation is 33%.

What is the difference between using most ovulation tests and the Clearblue Fertility Monitor?

Most ovulation tests detect the release of luteinizing hormone, which occurs about 24-36 hours before the release of the egg. They help clarify the 2 most fertile days of the cycle - before ovulation and during this process. The Clearblue Fertility Monitor digital test determines the level of two hormones - luteinizing and estrogen. It detects up to 5 extra days when a woman can become pregnant by detecting a rise in estrogen.

I recently stopped taking birth control pills. Could this change the result?

No, this will not affect the results. But if a woman has only recently stopped taking hormonal drugs, she may have irregular cycles. This leads to difficulties in determining the day of testing. Therefore, it is better to wait until 2 consecutive cycles without contraceptives have passed, and only then start using ovulation tests.

My cycle is outside the range shown in the instructions. How do I know when to start testing? When to test for late ovulation?

If the cycle is less than 22 days, you need to start testing on the 5th day, counting the first day of menstruation. If the cycle is more than 40 days, you should start testing 17 days before the expected start of menstruation and continue testing even after 5 days.

I have been using the clearblue test for several months in a row and have not gotten pregnant. Maybe I'm infertile?

It happens that a healthy woman cannot become pregnant for many months. A doctor should be consulted after a year of unsuccessful attempts if the woman is under 35 years old. If she is 35-40 years old, this should be done in six months. If a patient older than 40 years has never been protected and has not become pregnant, an urgent need to go to a gynecologist.

I did all 5 tests according to the instructions, but did not detect ovulation. What to do?

If the cycle length changes monthly by more than 3 days, a new pack of the test must be started. If the cycle is normal, then it was neoovulatory, that is, there was no release of the egg. It will no longer be possible to get pregnant this month, but this is a normal phenomenon for the female body.

Do I need to use all the tests in the suite?

No. It is possible to stop testing after ovulation and save the remaining strips for the next cycle.

I did the test incorrectly, what should I do next?

The best solution is to conduct another study on the same day 4 hours after the failed one. At this time, you need to drink less and not urinate. If the urine was collected in plastic container, you just need to take another strip and analyze immediately.

When are the chances of getting pregnant the highest and lowest?

The peak of the possibility of conception occurs on the day of ovulation and the day before it. A high probability of pregnancy appears 4 days before. Outside of these 6-7 days, the chance of getting pregnant is low.

What is the difference between ovulation days and "fertile" days?

Ovulation is the release of the female germ cell from the follicle, this happens 12 to 16 days before the start of the next menstruation. A woman is most fertile on the day of ovulation and on the previous day.

"Fertile" days - the time of the cycle when pregnancy can occur. Due to the fact that spermatozoa remain in the female body for several days, they can “wait” for an egg. Therefore, “fertile” days are considered the day of ovulation and 5 days before it.