The ovulation test has increasingly become a close ally for women trying to conceive. Although it is still not widely known among women in general, it has already become a favorite of many who are looking for a way to detect their ovulation for a future pregnancy. But many questions can trouble women who are just starting to buy ovulation tests. What are the most important criteria? What is a fair price for this product and, most importantly, how should you use them?
What Does an Ovulation Test Do?
Well, ovulation tests are very well known among women trying to conceive, and they are immediately effective. Their purpose is to detect the LH surge, the hormone responsible for ovulation. Before this surge, an entire process is essential. The eggs are stimulated by FSH, and then estrogen takes over and ensures they reach the ideal point for ovulation. When the eggs are mature enough, the LH surge occurs and the release of the eggs happens after this surge. About 12 to 48 hours later, ovulation takes place. One, two, or more eggs may be released. It all depends on how many dominant follicles the ovaries produce.
The function of the ovulation test is to detect the concentration of LH released in the urine. The strip contains a reagent that binds hormone particles along with the dye. It works just like the pregnancy test, where HCG is detected. The sensitivity of the ovulation test is usually 5 units of LH, that is, it is very sensitive and can detect even a minimal amount of hormone in the urine. The problem is precisely this low sensitivity, since it can confuse women. Unlike a pregnancy test, ovulation tests can show faint lines throughout the cycle. It is only considered positive when the test line is similar in intensity or darker than the control line.
How to Buy an Ovulation Test?
Ovulation tests should be carefully chosen. Not all brands are reliable. We can say there’s no bad brand, but some tests can be less sensitive or have lighter dyes. This can lead to a color change in the result line because, if the line is darker than the control, ovulation can occur within 12 to 24 hours. If it matches the control line, the window is 24 to 48 hours. To choose a good ovulation test, simply look up feedback from other people who have used certain brands. In Brazil, national brands are limited, but there are some quite interesting alternatives appearing on the Brazilian market. Only 2 companies are authorized by Anvisa to sell products manufactured in the country, Famivita, Clear Blue, and Confirme.
Imported brands: One Step and Wondfo are highly reliable. Besides being great options and more affordable, they are sold in larger quantities. The Brazilian brands Confirme and Famivita sell boxes of 5 and 10 units, while imported kits come with 10 to 20 units, plus a bonus of 2 free pregnancy tests. Domestic tests are sold on average for R$40 to R$60, while the others cost a bit less, around R$45 for a larger quantity. To choose an ovulation test kit, you should first evaluate your monthly budget and your needs, without sacrificing quality, of course. In some online stores, you can buy these ovulation test kits. Many retailers import them to offer a lower price, but trust is everything! Knowing where these tests—which will help detect your fertile window—come from is very important. The authenticity of the products makes a difference in the results, so finding a trustworthy seller is essential, and of course, tests approved by Anvisa are the safest for consumers.
The reliability of ovulation tests is very high. They really help detect this hormonal increase, but to ensure maximum effectiveness, a few precautions should be taken. For example:
When to Take the Test: For ideal results, the recommended time to start ovulation testing is on the first day of your fertile period. The problem is that not all women know exactly when to start testing. For regular cycles, simply calculate the average fertile days—for example, for 28 to 30-day cycles, you should start testing on the 10th day of the cycle, but for women with irregular cycles, you start when the signs of ovulation appear. It’s recommended to check daily for your body’s signals, whether by using the Billings method, basal temperature, or simply by observing your body, which will show some changes. The test should be used until the result line becomes lighter. That way, the woman will know she is already ovulating. Remember, ovulation can happen at any time during the cycle, so pay close attention! It is also essential to test at the same time each day. The best time of day to take an ovulation test is after 5 p.m., when the body starts producing natural corticosteroids that boost hormones like LH, for example.
How It Works: It is important to take the ovulation test at the same time each day and check the result within a maximum of 10 minutes. Although getting a false result is rare, it’s best to interpret the test within this time frame. The procedure is the same as the pregnancy test. The woman should collect urine in a small container and dip the tip of the strip in the urine for about 20 seconds. If the control line is darker than the test line, the LH surge has not yet occurred. You should repeat the test until the test line turns dark, to be certain that the LH peak has happened.
Who Should Not Take It: All women of childbearing age can use the ovulation test. You just need to be careful interpreting the result in cases of polycystic ovaries (where hormone levels can be unregulated) and for women using ovulation inducers. Most of these medications interfere with the ability to detect LH and may give false negatives or not a fully positive result, which can be confusing. That’s why it’s important for aspiring mothers to know that ovulation tests are not 100% effective in cases of treatments to get pregnant. However, women using inducers should use ovulation tests to optimize their medicated cycles; you generally start testing on the 7th day after finishing the medication. In these cases, the test line may not become as dark as usual, but it can still indicate the most fertile day.
Buying and using ovulation tests can save your cycles! Women with irregular cycles should estimate when their fertile period would be and start testing. If a positive is not detected, keep testing for a few more days until the surge is found. It is important to know not to test too early to avoid frustration with a delayed positive, but be persistent because the best way to optimize your cycle for pregnancy is by using the ovulation test. A good tip is also to monitor cervical mucus and basal temperature to help detect the fertile window and safely use the ovulation test. For women with regular cycles, knowing when to test is easier—just start on the first day of the fertile period.
See also: How to Use an Ovulation Test?
