Home Ovulation Test Kits
If you and your partner are trying to conceive home ovulation test kits can have a significant impact on your level of success. These ovulation tests are convenient because they are easily accessible and can be done in the comfort of your own home. The testing method is quite similar to a home pregnancy test in regards to how you physically use the test, but the times of day, frequency of testing, and hormone being detected differs. Instead of determining if you are pregnant, a home ovulation test will help to determine when you are ovulating and when you have the best chances of conception.
Many women do not know when the best time of day to take an Ovulation Test is. With this in mind, below are some common questions in regards to home ovulation tests.
How Do The Tests Detect Ovulation?
Home ovulation tests are designed to detect the level of Luteinising hormone (LH) in your urine. This is a different hormone than what is used to detect pregnancy, which is one of factors that make the two types of tests different. Typically your LH levels increase 36 hours prior to ovulation which can help you know when the best time to try to conceive will be.
When should you test? There really is not a specific time of day that is better or worse, which differs from home pregnancy tests. An important factor in home ovulation testing is to test at approximately the same time each day so that you can accurately detect a difference in your LH level from day-to-day. If it is easier for you to remember to test everyday at lunchtime or select a window of time each day—maybe between 6pm and 10pm after you are home from work for the day or before you leave for work in the morning. It really is your choice as to what time of day to test, the key is to be consistent.
Why Test In The Morning?
Many women find it most convenient to take their ovulation test first thing in the morning. There are a few advantages to this timing:
- LH, the hormone these tests detect, synthesizes in your body early in the morning. So first morning urine usually contains the highest concentration of LH.
- Limiting fluid intake is much easier overnight than during the day. You’re unlikely to wake up in the middle of the night thirsty and chug a big glass of water!
- It’s easy to make ovulation testing part of your regular morning bathroom routine.
However, if mornings don’t work well for you, don’t worry. You can test any time of day, as long as you’re consistent from one day to the next.
Urine Concentration
While drinking water is encouraged for a healthy lifestyle, you want to limit your water consumption for approximately four hours prior to taking your daily ovulation test. This is because consuming large amounts of water can dilute your urine making it more difficult to detect your level of LH. This is why some women prefer to test in the morning while their urine is most concentrated.
Should You Test More Than Once Per Day?
Since the window of increased levels of LH only lasts 36 hours many women choose to test two times per day to give more opportunities to conceive. If you are going to test twice per day it is recommended to spread your tests out so they are at least 10 hours apart.
While it may sound time consuming to test two times a day, the tests don’t take long to administer and your results are available within minutes. In fact, the whole process takes less than 15 minutes. While the expense of testing twice daily may add up, most couples feel that the increased odds of conception outweigh the expense.
Types Of Ovulation Tests
At Zoom Baby we offer both regular and extra-sensitive ovulation tests. Regular ovulation tests detect the LH surge at 30miU/ml. Extra-Sensitive ones have a lower cut-off and detect the surge at a level of 20 miU/ml. If you are not sure which Ovulation Test is best for you, you may want to read our blog post – Choosing the Best Ovulation Test for You
Follow The Directions
As excited as you may be to take the test, don’t forget to thoroughly read the instructions that come with your particular brand of ovulation test. Some key things to pay attention to:
- How long to hold the test in your urine stream
- How to interpret the test result (lines, colours, symbols etc.)
- How soon the results appear and how long they remain visible
Following the specific instructions for your test kit will give you the most accurate results possible. With a little practice, you’ll soon become a pro at pinpointing your most fertile days!
Photo Credit: “ClearBlue Ovulation Test. 9/2014 by Mike” (CC BY 2.0) by JeepersMedia
Zoom Baby is a leading supplier of Pregnancy Tests and Ovulation Test Kits
