How Do Ovulation Tests Work?

Ovulation home test kits are designed to help women identify the time of the month that they ovulate or release an egg for fertilisation. Essentially, ovulation kits can let women know when conception is most likely.

Read on to learn more about how ovulation tests work, when they are best used, and how they can help you get pregnant.

What Is An Ovulation Test?

Ovulation tests are performed to let women know when they will next ovulate and when they are most fertile [1].

The ovulation process is when an ovary releases a mature egg for fertilisation. This phase of the menstrual cycle is also known as a female’s ‘fertile window’ and by having intercourse during the fertile window, couples can conceive a baby.  

Ovulation tests are designed to detect a rise in luteinising hormone (LH) [2] in female urine, which is the hormone that signals an ovary to release an egg. Also known as an ovulation check kit, ovulation prediction test, or ovulation test kit, each typically contains ovulation strips or ovulation sticks to test female urine for the presence of LH.  

How Do Ovulation Tests Work?

Ovulation test strips work by identifying LH surges in female urine. This makes them an essential tool for understanding ovulation patterns and improving the probability of pregnancy.

A positive ovulation test confirming the presence of LH in a woman’s urine will change colour or show a positive result, depending on the brand used. An increase in LH normally occurs 24-36 hours before ovulation, meaning couples can be prepared to have intercourse and increase their chances of conceiving.

How to Perform An Ovulation Test

Each ovulation test kit typically includes 5-7 test strips. To determine if LH is surging, and ovulation is about to occur, women urinate directly onto the ovulation test strips. Alternatively,  the ovulation test strip can be dipped into a container of urine [3].

Generally, women are advised to test for ovulation 3-5 days before the expected ovulation date. For women with a regular menstrual cycle, ovulation normally happens 11-14 days [4] after their last menstruation.

When using an ovulation test test, it’s vital to ensure you follow the instructions carefully to accurately determine ovulation and fertile window.

Women with shorter cycles, or irregular menstrual cycles, should adjust their testing schedule accordingly. Speaking with a doctor or fertility specialist will help highlight how they can adjust ovulation tests according to their cycle.

Are There Benefits to Using Ovulation Tests for a Few Months?

There are indeed. Once an egg is released it only lives for 12-24 hours. Therefore, one positive ovulation test would indicate that a woman’s fertile window is open for at least 24-36 hours.

However, sperm can survive in the female reproductive tract for 3-5 days and monthly ovulation tests can help couples to take advantage of this extended fertile window.

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Essentially, using ovulation tests for a few consecutive months can help women recognise their monthly ovulation pattern. By being aware of the monthly ovulation pattern, couples can extend their fertile window from 12-24 hours to 3-5 days. In addition to ovulation tests, monitoring your basal body temp and ovulation patterns can further enhance your understanding of your fertility window.

For example, when a couple determines that ovulation regularly occurs on day 14 of the menstrual cycle, any sperm that enters the female reproductive tract in the 3-4 days before ovulation, or on the day of ovulation, could fertilise the recently released egg.

This extension of the fertile window can significantly increase a couple's chances of conceiving. In addition to using ovulation kits, incorporating a fertility supplements rich in nutrients such as folate, zinc, and CoQ10 can support hormonal balance and optimise fertility, increasing the chances of conception.

For Optimal Results With Ovulation Tests: Tips to Consider

For the most accurate results from an ovulation test, fertility specialists advise that it’s best not to drink large amounts before testing. Consuming an excessive amount of fluids before testing for ovulation can dilute your urine and hinder the accuracy of the results.

Certain medications are also known to affect the accuracy of an ovulation kit. A drug called Clomid (clomiphene citrate), which is taken to increase LH levels and stimulate ovulation can affect the results of ovulation tests.

As can taking estrogen and/or progesterone to improve hormone imbalances and regular menstrual cycles.

Understanding the Results Of Ovulation Kits

A positive ovulation test indicates that a surge in LH has been detected. Therefore, an ovulation kit positive result typically suggests that a woman is expected to ovulate within 24 to 36 hours.

Can An Ovulation Test Determine Pregnancy?

In general, ovulation tests are intended to predict ovulation and are not designed to detect pregnancy. Perhaps a more accurate question is: can ovulation test show pregnancy if it detects elevated levels of certain hormones?

An ovulation test could detect a significantly high amount of LH or other hormones that could indicate pregnancy. In these cases, a pregnancy test is still recommended for confirmation.

Where Can You Buy The Best Ovulation Test in the UK?

Various brands of ovulation kits are available in the UK, however, according to feedback and reviews, the most popular choices are Clear Blue Ovulation Test and Boots Ovulation Test.

Are There Any Risks Associated with Ovulation Kits?

Not really. The only risk associated with ovulation tests is that they can sometimes erroneously indicate an LH surge or not detect a real LH surge. This typically has nothing to do with the type of brand used. Even when using the most popular ovulation test Boots UK or Clear Blue ovulation test, results may not always be accurate.

If ovulation tests are unable to detect an LH surge after several months, or if you’re not getting pregnant despite having unprotected sex, consider consulting with a fertility specialist for evaluation and advice.

Conclusion 

Using an ovulation home test kit to identify your fertile window can significantly enhance your chances of getting pregnant. By detecting LH surges, ovulation tests can help women recognise when they are about to ovulate and allow them to plan for intercourse to conceive.

Ovulation tests are easy to use at home and provide accurate results the majority of the time. If you are planning to start a family, have fertility issues, or find it challenging to conceive after months of trying, using an ovulation test can help you determine when you are fertile and improve your chances of conceiving.

References 

1. Mayo Clinic Health System - Using Ovulation Tools to Predict Fertility - https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/using-ovulation-kits-to-predict-fertility
2. Cleveland Clinic - Luteinizing Hormone - https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/22255-luteinizing-hormone
3. WebMD - How to Use An Ovulation Test Kit - https://www.webmd.com/baby/how-to-use-an-ovulation-test
4. American Pregnancy Association - What is Ovulation? - https://americanpregnancy.org/getting-pregnant/infertility/understanding-ovulation/

Frequently Asked Questions

How accurate are ovulation tests from UK pharmacies?

Ovulation tests available from UK pharmacies such as Boots, Superdrug, and supermarkets are generally around 99% accurate at detecting the LH surge when used correctly. The NHS recognises these home ovulation prediction kits as a reliable method for identifying your fertile window, though factors like testing at the wrong time of day or drinking too much liquid beforehand can affect results.

When is the best time of day to take an ovulation test?

Most experts recommend testing in the early afternoon, typically between 12pm and 6pm, as LH levels tend to rise in the morning and appear in urine a few hours later. Unlike pregnancy tests, first morning urine isn't ideal for ovulation testing. Try to reduce your liquid intake for a couple of hours before testing to avoid diluting the LH in your urine.

How many days after a positive ovulation test should we try to conceive?

Once you get a positive ovulation test, ovulation typically occurs within 24-36 hours, so it's best to have intercourse that day and the following day to maximise your chances. The NHS advises that sperm can survive for up to 5 days in the body, so having regular intercourse every 2-3 days throughout your cycle is also beneficial when trying to conceive.

Can ovulation tests help if I have irregular periods?

Ovulation tests can still be useful for women with irregular cycles, though you may need to test for a longer period and use more test strips each month. If you have irregular periods and have been trying to conceive for 12 months (or 6 months if you're over 36), the NHS recommends speaking to your GP, as around 1 in 7 UK couples experience fertility issues and irregular cycles can sometimes indicate underlying conditions like PCOS.

Should I use ovulation tests before asking my GP for fertility help?

Using ovulation tests to track your cycle can provide helpful information to share with your GP when discussing fertility concerns. According to NICE guidelines, GPs should offer initial advice and investigations to couples who haven't conceived after one year of regular unprotected intercourse, but having records of your ovulation patterns can help speed up the assessment process and inform any referrals to NHS fertility services.

Why am I not getting a positive ovulation test?

There are several reasons you might not see a positive result, including testing at the wrong time in your cycle, having a short LH surge that you've missed, or not ovulating that month. Some women have naturally lower LH levels that certain tests don't detect as easily. If you consistently struggle to get positive results over several months, it's worth discussing this with your GP, who can arrange blood tests to check whether you're ovulating.

Are expensive digital ovulation tests worth it compared to cheap test strips?

Both digital ovulation tests and basic test strips detect the same LH hormone and have similar accuracy levels. Digital tests are easier to read with a clear smiley face or positive symbol, whilst cheaper strip tests require you to compare line darkness. Many women trying to conceive in the UK prefer budget-friendly strips for daily testing and save digital tests for confirming results, making the process more affordable over several months.