Using Ovulation Prediction Kits

What is an Ovulation Prediction Kit?

One of the most popular ways to detect ovulation is with a OPK kit or ovulation prediction kit. These kits allow you to predict ovulation before it occurs in the body. This means it is often favoured ahead of basal body temperature charting as a method of predicting ovulation. You cannot tell when ovulation has occurred when you use the basal body temperature charting method until it actually happens. The LH hormone or Luteinising Hormone is detected by an OPK kit in the urine. You get a surge of LH just before you have ovulation. You should get ovulation within 36 hours if these levels of LH are detected by the kit.

Ovulation and Your Hormones

Ovulation and the menstrual cycle are regulated by hormones such as LH (Luteinsing Hormone), oestrogen, progesterone, and FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone). Once you have your period, this is considered the start of the menstrual cycle. When you go through menstruation the lining of the uterus sheds and you have lower levels of progesterone and oestrogen. FSH levels increase during the first half of the cycle and you get several follicles that form which contain an egg. Only one follicle remains as the cycle continues which will have oestrogen and this produces the egg during ovulation. LH levels surge as the egg matures and it bursts from the follicle which we call ovulation. The timing needs to be right as the unfertilised egg will only last for so short period.

Using Ovulation Prediction Kits

You can use a midstream ovulation prediction kit or a test strip as both of these will work the same way. The test strip works by dipping this into a container of urine for several seconds. The midstream test works by holding it in the midstream of your urine. It takes about five minutes to read the tests. The tests have a result band and a test band. The control band has a colour that you use to compare with the results band. LH is detected with the tests at any time during your cycle. The results should be the same colour or darker than the control band. If you have a lighter result in the result band then you have not ovulated.

Some Tips for Using Ovulation Prediction Kits

When you use an ovulation prediction kit, it can be a good idea to also track your basal body temperatures. You can view previous charts to see when the best time would be to use your ovulation kit. LH tends to surge only briefly so it can be a good idea to test more than once per day so you don’t miss the LH surge.

The test should be done at the same time each day. Try not to urinate for four hours before you take the test. Read the instruction and follow them carefully so you don’t miss the LH surge. If you don’t see the surge right away, continue to test until you do. If the test is positive, have sex within 36 hours of taking the test to take advantage of the LH surge.

Other Ways of Predicting Ovulation

Aside from using ovulation prediction kits, there are other ways that you can predict ovulation. These can be more expensive than test strips but can be a good investment if you are looking to predict your ovulation. The ferning microscope, which is saliva based is another testing method. Samples sf saliva are viewed under a microscope and this can detect ovulation. The microscope is reusable so that is a plus point for it. The fertility monitor is another method of predicting ovulation and it can make reading test strips an easy process. The electronic monitor reads the test strips. It can evaluate LH levels as well as estrogen so you can a more accurate prediction of ovulation.

Photo by Juan Encalada on Unsplash
Zoom Baby is a leading supplier of Ovulation Test Kits
This Zoom Baby post has been updated since its original publication in 2014.

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