The female body is undoubtedly the most complex and intriguing of all body types we know. Much of this is due to the fact that the woman’s reproductive system is full of tiny details. These details are in place so that a baby can be conceived in the perfect way we know. And that is precisely why many women have various doubts about how their bodies work and what are the best ways to get pregnant.
One of the ways to do this is through an ovulation test, but with it, other questions also arise. What does it mean when there is a positive ovulation test after ovulation? What does that indicate? Are these tests really reliable? Let’s answer this and other questions on the topic in today’s article.
How Does the Ovulation Test Work?
The well-known ovulation test is a means for a woman to accurately know when she is in her fertile window. What they do, basically, is measure the level of luteinizing hormone (LH) to indicate whether a woman is fertile or not.
It is a great ally for those trying to conceive, as it allows women to be much more precise about the right moments to try for fertilization. There are basically three types of ovulation tests, which are:
- Pharmacy Test
- Digital Test
- Homemade Test
We will cover the main questions about each of them so you can see the differences and the advantages each one offers.
Pharmacy Test
These are quite common and used by many women, and are becoming increasingly popular in Brazil. These are small strips similar to pregnancy tests, available at a low cost and can be used for tracking and confirming the fertile period.
The test is done using a small urine sample, which should preferably be collected in the late afternoon and, if possible, always at the same time for better results. If a woman knows her cycle and when ovulation is approaching, it becomes easier to confirm with the pharmacy ovulation test.
Digital Test
More advanced and, consequently, more expensive, digital tests are a new option that is increasingly being used. As their main advantage, we can point out the ease of getting a clearer and more objective result, thanks to the digital display that tells you the two best days of the month for getting pregnant.
For this to work, you should always record the length of your menstrual cycle and, within a few months, the test can be up to 99% effective.
Homemade Test
The homemade test is the easiest to do and also the best known. The woman should perform it on herself and, through it, can determine if she is or is not in her fertile window. What you need to do is insert your finger into the vagina and remove a little vaginal mucus.
From that point, you can separate your fingers to check whether the mucus is more or less elastic. The more elastic it is, the more fertile you are. The downside of this type of test is that you have no concrete result, meaning you can’t be certain which is the best day to conceive.
Additionally, there are many women who find it difficult to tell whether the mucus is more or less elastic, which also makes the process somewhat harder.
Are Ovulation Tests Reliable?
The effectiveness of the tests you buy, whether the standard pharmacy ones or digital, ranges from 97% to 99%, which is a very high number. So we can say yes, ovulation tests are very reliable.
However, the recommendation is always that you talk to your doctor before you start trying to get pregnant. That is because there may be many variables and issues that can arise along the way that only they can address for your situation.
Does a Positive Ovulation Test Indicate Pregnancy?
When you get a positive ovulation test after ovulation, that is not a confirmation of pregnancy, but it is a possibility. In fact, this is one of the common confusions for women who are not very familiar with their own menstrual cycles.
What happens is that the hormone levels detected by these highly sensitive tests can pick up “traces” of the hormone still present, especially if a late ovulation occurred. In other words, a positive ovulation test after ovulation can simply mean that the woman was recently in her fertile window, which does not mean she is not pregnant.
This might seem a bit confusing at first, but it’s important to know these details so you don’t get misled by the test results. But, as mentioned earlier, technology has been generous for women trying to conceive and the tests are becoming more and more reliable.
This means you can and should use an ovulation test if you feel it is necessary, but always keeping in mind that it alone is not responsible for the success or failure of your pregnancy. If you have doubts about the result, take a pregnancy test to confirm, as that is the recommended one for this purpose, since it detects the HCG hormone.
Fertility Problems
Ovulation is totally controlled by hormones that are part of fertility. This means that the test may end up showing some changes if the woman has any hormonal problems.
In this case, what you should do is visit a doctor and clear up all your doubts to know exactly how to proceed. There are many cases in which a treatment can solve the problem so the woman can try to get pregnant again.
It cannot be ruled out, however, that there are cases where there is no solution, in other words, the woman is truly infertile. It is recommended to take exams with your doctor before you start trying to get pregnant and before doing any type of ovulation test.
This way, you will be prepared for any surprises that might come up and start thinking of alternatives for building your family, since nowadays there are many possibilities with different treatments and methods.
When a woman is trying to get pregnant, it is very common for these alternatives to appear as a great option. And they truly are, as long as you know how to use them wisely and don’t become dependent on them.
Use ovulation tests as a guide to help you when trying to have a baby, always in combination with other methods and precautions, to ensure a faster and more satisfying result.
