When do i start checking for ovulation

These days are referred to as your fertile window, and they include the few days leading up to and including the day of ovulation. In a study that aimed to compare the estimated day of ovulation with the actual calculated day of ovulation in a group of women, only 13 women correctly estimated their actual ovulation day! Towards the end of the follicular phase the first half of your cycle when the egg is growing and maturing , estrogen rises as your lead follicle grows.

Once your estrogen level reaches a certain level, it sends a signal to your brain that your egg is ready to be released. This causes an LH surge that triggers ovulation. One of the most popular fertility myths is that ovulation always occurs on cycle day This is not always true! If your cycle is 28 days long you may indeed ovulate on cycle day If your cycles are regular you can start testing with ovulation days before your suspected ovulation date.

Our instructions include a handy chart to help you do the math! Studies show that LH in blood starts surging between midnight and 8 a. Ovulation predictor kits work by detecting the levels of LH hormone in your urine. LH stands for luteinizing hormone. As ovulation approaches, LH spikes in order to push the egg into the final stages of maturity. This spike of LH is called the LH surge. About 36 hours after the LH surge, ovulation occurs. To increase your chances of getting pregnant, you should have sex the two days before ovulation occurs.

Since OPKs detect the LH surge that occurs 12 to 36 hours before ovulation , you can be sure to have sex at just the right time for conception. Because estrogen begins to rise before the LH surge, the Clearblue Easy Fertility Monitor can give you more warning that ovulation is coming.

This will allow you to have conception sex for up to a week before you ovulate. Be sure to read the instructions of your particular ovulation predictor kit, since there may be slight variations on how they work. Generally, however, an ovulation predictor kit comes with a set of test strips or sticks. Some OPKs come with five tests, others with as many as You should begin using the tests about two days before you expect to ovulate.

There are also fertility apps that will attempt to guess at when ovulation is likely to occur for you. It helps to have a kit with several test strips if this is your situation. Ovulation predictor kits have two lines. One line is the control line. This just lets you know that the test was used properly and is working.

The second line is the test line. When the test line is as dark or darker than the control line, LH is surging. This is when you should start having baby-making sex. Clearblue Easy Fertility Monitor works differently from regular ovulation predictor kits.

You need to start testing on the first day of your period. Whatever ovulation test kit you use, be sure to read the instructions carefully for the best results. Relatively easy to use. Unlike BBT charting, they tell you when ovulation is approaching , not that it's already passed. Morning urine is best, but taking the test within the same six-hour window every day should give accurate results. If you're not comfortable checking for cervical mucus , you may feel better using the test strips.

Using one month after month can get expensive. This is especially so if your cycles are irregular and you need to use more than five test strips. Some people have trouble reading a positive ovulation test result. Ovulation tests may not work well for women with polycystic ovarian syndrome, who can have several LH surges or high levels of LH throughout their cycles. Since ovulation kits test for LH, they may yield positive results all the time or on several days.

These positive results are false-positives—they don't mean you're ovulating. Updated by: John D. Editorial team. Ovulation home test. How the Test is Performed. How to Prepare for the Test. DO NOT drink large amounts of fluids before using the test.

How the Test will Feel. The test involves normal urination. There is no pain or discomfort. Why the Test is Performed. If you have an irregular menstrual cycle, the kit can help you tell when you are ovulating.

A positive result indicates an "LH surge. Rarely, false positive results can occur. This hormone can take 4 hours to come out in your urine, which is why it might be missed on the first urine of the day. For women with 28 day menstrual cycles, the best time to take an ovulation test is 10 to 18 days after your period. If your cycle is different or irregular we recommend speaking to a fertility specialist about the best time to take an ovulation test.

This helps ensure that your urine and luteinizing hormone levels are concentrated. If the ovulation test was administered correctly and the luteinizing hormone peak has yet to occur, there is little to no chance of getting pregnant. How many days after your period should you take an ovulation test?