There are only a few days in each menstrual cycle in which a woman can conceive, so it is very important to have sex on these days if you are trying to get pregnant. The Clearblue digital ovulation detection device with accessories helps you maximize your chances of natural conception by identifying the 2 days in each cycle that are most likely to get pregnant. They can be determined by measuring the level of luteinizing hormone (LH), the key hormone responsible for human fertility. The Clearblue digital ovulation detection device with accessories is more accurate than the calendar and temperature methods* and gives unmistakably clear results on a digital display.
Shows 2 days when the probability of getting pregnant (fertility) is highest
By identifying your 2 most fertile days, where you have the highest chance of getting pregnant, you will feel more confident knowing that you are trying exactly when you need to.
Accuracy over 99 %
More accurate than the calendar and temperature methods in determining the days when the probability of becoming pregnant is highest
Clear digital results
The clear digital display allows you to easily read your results.
Ease of use
The unique flashing test symbol indicates that the digital ovulation test is working.
1. Before the test
– Always read the instructions on the packaging and package insert carefully before use.
– Before taking the test, you will need to know the normal length of your menstrual cycle to ensure that you time the LH surge test correctly.
– The duration of the cycle is calculated from the day the menstruation begins (the first day of full menstruation) – this is the 1st day. The last day of the cycle is the last day before the next menstruation begins. The resulting number of days will be the length of your cycle.
– Once you have determined your cycle length, you can use the table below to determine the day to start testing.
| Length of your cycle in days | 21 or less | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36 | 37 | 38 | 39 | 40 | 41 or more |
| Day of the next cycle from which testing should begin | 5 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 17 days before the start of your next menstruation |
– The test can be performed at any time of the day, but at approximately the same time every day.
– It is advisable not to urinate for four hours before the ovulation test and to avoid excessive fluid intake before the test. You may find it more convenient to use your first morning urine.
– Open the foil pouch and remove the test from it.
– Remove the cap.
– Before contact with urine, the test must be inserted into the housing.
– Align the pink dough arrow with the pink arrow on the dough body and insert until it clicks.
– Wait for the “Test ready” symbol to appear and carry out the test immediately.
3. Conducting the test
- Place the downward-facing absorbent sampler under the stream of urine for 5–7 seconds.
– Collect your urine sample in a clean, dry container and simply dip the absorbent sampler into the urine for just 15 seconds.
– Be careful not to get the housing wet.
– Keep the sampler pointing downwards or place the test on a horizontal surface. When testing, never hold the test with the absorbent strip facing upward.
– After 20 to 40 seconds, the “Test Ready” symbol will flash, indicating that the ovulation test is working.
– Do not remove the test until you get the result.
– Remove the cap from the dough and wait 3 minutes.
5. Read the result
The result will be displayed on the screen after 3 minutes.
Absence splash LH. If you see an “empty circle,” the test did not detect your LH surge. Test the next day at the same time using a new test.
splash LH. The smiley symbol means that an LH surge has been detected. Your 2 most fertile days are today and tomorrow, so having sex within the next 48 hours will increase your chances of getting pregnant.
– Once you have read your final result, remove the test and throw it away.
– The result will be displayed on the screen for 8 minutes.
– Do not reinsert used test.
FAQ
I don't know the normal length of my cycle, or my cycle length varies. How do you know when to take an ovulation test?
If you do not know your normal cycle length, it is recommended that you wait at least one menstrual cycle and note its length, then use the Clearblue Digital Ovulation Device with accessories. Once you have determined your cycle length, you can use the instructions on the package insert to determine when to start testing. If the difference in cycle length is more than 3 days, select the shortest cycle within the last 6 months to determine the day to start testing. You may need a new package with the case and LH surge tests. If you want to start testing before you know your cycle length, it is recommended that you start testing on day 10. However, in this case, there is a possibility that you may miss the LH surge due to starting testing too late, or you may need to start a new pack to continue testing. See question 7.
What time of day should you take an ovulation test?
The test can be performed at any time of the day, but at approximately the same time every day. You should not urinate for at least 4 hours before the test.
Do I need to use all ovulation tests?
No. If a surge in LH is detected, testing can be stopped.
Can the case be used with any other tests?
Clearblue Digital Ovulation Tests can only be used with the Clearblue Digital body. If you have leftover tests from a previous pack of Clearblue Digital Ovulation Tests, you can use them with the body from this pack.
I ran the test, but the results did not appear on the screen. What does this mean?
The result should appear on the screen within 3 minutes of the test. If the result does not appear, an error symbol will appear on the screen within 10 minutes. For information about error messages, see the package insert for detailed instructions.
How accurate is the Clearblue digital ovulation detection device with accessories?
Clearblue Digital Ovulation Tests have been shown to be over 99% accurate in detecting the LH surge before ovulation in extensive laboratory testing. The sensitivity of the Clearblue Digital Ovulation Test is 40 mIU/ml.
I performed all tests as instructed, but no LH surge was detected. What should I do?
The number of tests in the Clearblue Digital ovulation test package is sufficient for most women with regular cycles to detect an LH surge. If the difference in the length of your cycles is more than 3 days, then you may need to start a new pack to detect the LH surge. Some women don't ovulate every cycle, so they won't experience an LH surge during those cycles. If you are concerned about your results, contact your doctor.
Could any medications or medical conditions affect the results?
A. Be sure to read the manufacturer's instructions for any medications you take before taking the test. B. Some medical conditions and medications may adversely affect testing: for example, if you are actually pregnant, have recently been pregnant, have reached menopause, or have polycystic ovary syndrome, you may get an incorrect result. This may also happen if you are taking fertility medications that contain luteinizing hormone or human chorionic gonadotropin. Consult your doctor. B. Clomiphene citrate does not affect the result, but may affect the length of the cycle and thus the testing time. You may need to start a new package and continue testing with a new body and new tests.
I recently stopped taking hormonal contraceptives (eg birth control pills). Will this affect the results?
No, this will not affect the results. However, hormonal contraceptives blur your natural hormonal pattern, and if you have recently stopped using them, your cycles may be irregular and may take some time to normalize. You may want to wait for two natural menstrual cycles to complete and note their duration before using the Clearblue Digital Ovulation Device and accessories.
I used the Clearblue digital ovulation detection device with accessories for several months and did not get pregnant. Can I be sure that I can get pregnant?
It may take several months to get pregnant. There are many reasons why you may not be able to get pregnant, even though you have sex when you are most likely to become pregnant. If after several months your attempts have not been successful, you should consult a doctor.
Ovulation test- is an effective assistant in. Many women who do not have problems conceiving do not even suspect the existence of these tests. But they are actively used by those who cannot get pregnant.
No second line either may indicate that it is overdue or a defective test.
Positive
The test is considered positive if the second line is the same in brightness, as the first one. The egg is released and can be fertilized.
A positive result lasts for 1-2 days.
Types of tests
Now pharmacies offer a large selection of tests - from the simplest and cheapest to expensive digital ones. In addition to price, they differ in the percentage of accuracy.
Test strip (strip test)
This the simplest and cheapest type of test. It does not have high accuracy. It is a paper strip with reagents. Usually there are 3-5 such strips in a package.
The strip is lowered into the container with urine for 30 seconds, then placed on a horizontal surface for several minutes and evaluate the result.
The second line may turn pink a few days before ovulation. It is possible to reliably talk about the release of the egg when the color of both lines is the same.
Test tablet (test cassette)
Tablet considered more accurate, but costs more.
It is a cassette with small windows.
Through the window you need to drop a couple of drops of urine, after a few minutes the result will appear in another window in the form of the same two or one stripes.
Jet test
This is a stripe coated with a reagent substance. What distinguishes it from the strip test is that the jet test is simply placed under a stream of urine. After a few minutes, one or two lines appear on it. This type is considered the most reliable and reliable.
Reusable devices
This portable device with a set of test strips. The strip is placed in the urine and then inserted into the device. The result is assessed in a couple of minutes.
Digital
This device has the greatest accuracy, zero chance of error.
The device is presented in the form of a tube lipsticks with a built-in miniature microscope. It is not the urine that is examined, but the woman’s saliva.
Under a microscope you can see different patterns which appear at the time of ovulation. The instructions describe the meaning of each picture.
Important! The only disadvantage of the device is its high cost, however, in terms of accuracy it has no equal.
When to start conceiving
All tests determine not ovulation itself, but a surge in LH, after which the egg will be released. This will happen in a few hours. Therefore, sexual intercourse should be performed taking this nuance into account.
Sexual contact is optimal after 6-8 hours after a positive result. The highest probability of fertilization remains for another day. It takes several hours for the reproductive cells to cover the distance between each other; when conceiving in the last hours of this day, you may simply not have time and the egg will die.
How to conceive a boy or girl
In men, the last pair of chromosomes has X and Y chromosomes. If XX connect, then a girl will be born, if XY - a boy.
Y and X chromosomes have different mobility and life expectancy. X cells move more slowly, but are more resilient. Y chromosomes are much “faster”, but do not differ in vitality. They die within a couple of days.
Thus, if sexual intercourse occurs a few days before ovulation, sperm with X cells will wait for the egg, and it's going to be a girl. If sperm enters a woman’s body on the day of ovulation, then the nimble Y cells will reach their goal faster, then it will be a boy.
To increase your chances of conceiving a boy you need to:
- Avoid sex 5 days before ovulation.
- Have sexual intercourse 5-8 hours after a positive result.
- Choose positions with “deep” penetration to shorten the path for sperm.
If parents wish to have a daughter, they must adhere to the following recommendations:
- Have sexual intercourse no later than 1-2 days before the release of the egg.
- Do not have sexual intercourse after ovulation to give X sperm a chance to wait their turn.
- Choose positions with “shallow” penetration in order to increase the path for sperm, along which the Y cells will “go away”.
How often can you take the test?
Ovulation tests are absolutely harmless and cannot cause any harm to a woman’s health. Therefore, they can be carried out at least every day for a long time. Another thing is that on some days, conducting research is absolutely useless.
Best tests
Today, leading pharmaceutical companies produce a variety of ovulation tests, varying in accuracy and price.
The following are the most trusted:
- Frautest in the form of test strips. Suitable for those who have a regular cycle. The package contains 5 strips, which are placed in a container with urine and the result is assessed. Price - 350 rub. The same company produces a cassette test for irregular cycles. The package contains 7 cassettes. Part of the cassette is placed under a stream of urine and the readings are assessed after a couple of minutes. Cost 750 rub.
- Eviplan. This strip test brand has won the trust of women. There are 5 strips in the package, use is similar to Frautest.
- Clearblue. This is a digital test. It determines the two best days for conception with a probability of almost 100%. If ovulation is about to occur, a cheerful smiley appears in the test window. Price about 1000 rubles.
- Lady Q. Digital device for reusable use. Examines saliva. The kit includes: microscope, drawings, glass, instructions. Price - 1900 rub.
What does the number of stripes mean?
Tests have a control strip, with which to compare the second line. If the second line is too pale, then the LH level is still too low and ovulation will not occur soon. Two bright lines mean the hormone has increased to its maximum level, therefore the egg will be released within a few hours. The complete absence of the second strip indicates that the test was damaged.
Sometimes tests can give false results. For example, positive - in the absence of ovulation and vice versa.
The fact is that other factors influence LH levels:
- Ovarian exhaustion.
- Postmenopause.
- Renal dysfunction.
- Lack of protein in the body (with a vegetarian diet).
- Recent use of hormonal contraceptives.
In addition, the “redness” of the strip is provoked by other hormones, for example. For this reason, a positive ovulation test occurs during pregnancy or after ovulation is stimulated with hormones.
In some cases ovulation occurs, but the test gives a negative result. This happens when instructions or rules for preparing for testing are not followed.
Ovulation tests - the greatest invention of mankind. They are completely safe and help to “catch” the moment the egg is released with maximum accuracy, even with irregular menstruation. This greatly helps women who have difficulty conceiving.
Women can plan time of sexual intercourse during which the likelihood of fertilization increases many times. With the help of tests, following some recommendations, it is possible to plan the conception of a boy or girl.
Video on the topic
If you decide to try an ovulation test, we advise you to follow the following rules.
- So, you should test every day and, if possible, at exactly the same time.
- The best time to conduct tests is from 10 am to 8 pm.
- Additionally, for a more accurate result, reduce your fluid intake several hours before testing. This will make your urine more concentrated.
- When using ovulation tests, you should not use any medications, as they may cause an incorrect result.
- Follow the test instructions exactly as provided by the manufacturer. Test results must be assessed no later than 15-20 minutes after testing.
Test results
There are three possible results:
- negative result - only one control line is visible on the test or the test line is much lighter than the control line;
- positive result - the test line is as bright as the control line or even darker;
- erroneous result - there is no control line on the test.
Look at the result window and compare the result line on the left near the arrow on the line body with the control line on the right. The line that is closest to the arrow on the body is the main result line that can show the level of LH in the urine.
Further to the right of the arrow based on the stick there will be a control line. It is needed for comparison with the result strip. A control line will appear whenever the test was performed correctly.
False negative result
Now let's look at the reasons why ovulation tests may show false negative results.
- different ovulation tests have different sensitivity;
- Each woman's body can produce different amounts of LH;
- depending on the amount of fluid consumed, different concentrations of urine are observed in the woman’s body;
- different testing times.
Due to such features, test lines may be weaker than control lines throughout the entire cycle. Or vice versa - much brighter than the control line for several days in a row. Experts state that in order to accurately determine fertile days, you need to adapt to ovulation tests.
In some controversial cases, it is also worth taking into account the bodies and the nature of the secretion of cervical fluid.
Disadvantages of Taking Ovulation Tests
The first and main disadvantage of ovulation tests is their cost. After all, testing requires not one, not two, but a fairly large number of tests. And this requires the investment of certain financial resources. Women who have an irregular cycle will especially have to spend money. In addition, you need to get used to the test procedure itself - do them at the same time, strictly following the instructions.
Plan your baby's gender
Unfortunately, there are no exact methods that allow you to plan the sex of a child in advance. But, nevertheless, doctors have developed a theory according to which on the days closest to ovulation, the likelihood of conceiving a son may increase, and on the most distant days, a daughter. Thus, experts say, to increase the likelihood of having a boy, future parents should abstain from sex while ovulation tests show a negative result.
And in order to become parents of a girl, spouses, on the contrary, need to stop having sex as soon as the tests show positive results. However, remember: this method is not 100% reliable.
Recently, various ovulation tests have appeared in pharmacies, offered by several manufacturers. These products have already gained popularity among many women. What are they for, and how can they be useful to the fairer sex?
Ovulation is the most important moment in the functioning of the female reproductive system. Ovulation in gynecology means the moment when the egg leaves the ovary and begins its movement along the fallopian tube, where it should meet the sperm. Since the lifespan of an egg is short - no more than 2 days, the period of ovulation is the most favorable moment for conception.
As a rule, during one cycle (lasting from 21 to 35 days), the egg is released from the ovary only once, but there are cases of double or triple ovulation. However, ovulation is a phenomenon that does not happen every day. And that is why many women strive to find out at what point it will come. Is it possible to do this?
How can you determine the moment of ovulation?
Some women may experience certain physiological signs that indicate ovulation is imminent. This may include slight pain in the lower abdomen, slight vaginal discharge, and increased sexual desire. However, all these signs are purely individual and cannot be used as a reliable criterion.
To determine the moment of ovulation in gynecology, various methods can be used:
- measurement of basal temperature,
- measuring luteinizing hormone levels.
Particular attention should be paid to the last method. It is quite simple and at the same time effective, which made it possible to develop a number of tests based on it that can be used at home.
Luteinizing hormone (LH) is a hormone that is synthesized in a woman’s body immediately before ovulation (one to two days). Thus, its increased concentration may indicate that ovulation will take place in the coming days. The highest concentration of the hormone is found in urine or saliva.
Due to this circumstance, several portable systems have been developed to detect hormone concentrations. The chemicals contained in these systems react with LH and make its presence known through visual signals.
Let's consider the operating principle of such systems using the example of a simple strip test. The ovulation test includes several disposable paper strips with a reagent applied to them. It is enough to moisten one such strip in urine, and in a few minutes it will give the result. The appearance of a strip on a piece of paper will mean a high level of the hormone and, as a result, a high probability of ovulation within a few days.
In order for an ovulation test to show the correct result, a woman should follow a few simple rules. Firstly, you should not use the very first urine after waking up for testing. The optimal time for urine collection is from 10.00 to 20.00. In addition, you should not drink a lot of fluid before urinating, as this can dilute the urine and reduce the concentration of the hormone. In addition, repeat testing is recommended to increase the reliability of the results.
Ways to use ovulation tests
What can an ovulation test be useful for? Firstly, it can be useful for women who passionately want to get pregnant. After all, ovulation and the few days preceding it are the most favorable period for conception.
Some women use tests as a means to plan the gender of their child. There is a theory according to which sperm carrying the male chromosome are less tenacious, but more mobile compared to sperm carrying the female chromosome. Therefore, the closer to the moment of ovulation sexual intercourse was performed, the greater the chance that the egg will be fertilized by a male sperm.
In other cases, an ovulation test can be used by women who, on the contrary, want to avoid pregnancy. After all, after two days after ovulation, sperm will no longer be able to fertilize the egg. However, this method requires more frequent testing, and given that test strips cost some money, it is associated with some material costs. In addition, this method of protection cannot be called very reliable. After all, ovulation tests report only the concentration of LH, and not the moment of ovulation itself. Not to mention the high probability of obtaining false negative results due to non-compliance with the testing methodology or poor-quality (expired) test strips.
Types of testing systems for PH
In total, the pharmaceutical industry produces several testing systems:
- using disposable strips,
- using disposable cartridges,
- jet systems,
- electronic devices with disposable strips,
- optical instruments for determining LH from saliva.
Testing with disposable cartridges is much like testing with strips. The only difference is that a drop of urine must be dropped into one window of the cartridge, and the result will be displayed in the other window.
The device with disposable strips is similar in principle to devices for testing blood sugar levels. A strip soaked in urine is inserted into a special connector, and the test result appears on the indicator. Read on the official Frautest website about what types of ovulation tests exist.
Carrying out an ovulation test, instructions
Let us describe in more detail the method of testing for PH using disposable strips (strip tests). The most popular ovulation tests of this type are produced under the brand names Frautest, Eviplan, Solo.
Typically, an ovulation test includes several strips for testing for LH. Some also come with additional pregnancy test strips.
Test strips are removed from the packaging immediately before testing; they should not be stored unpacked. To start the test, place the urine in a clean and dry container. By the way, many kits are equipped with special containers for urine. Then the strip should be immersed in the urine for about 5 seconds, then pulled out and placed in a dry place.
Normally, the test strip should be white. After a few minutes (it’s better to check the instructions for the exact time, but usually no more than 10 minutes), the strip may change its appearance.
Possible options for changing the strip:
- there are no lines - poor quality or expired test;
- only one (control) line appeared - no LH;
- one line appeared and next to it a pale second line - there is no LH or its concentration is very low;
- a control line appears, as well as a second line, darker than the control line or of the same intensity as it - a high concentration of LH, ovulation should be expected.
Optical testing systems
Special mention should be made about optical systems that determine the concentration of LH not in urine, but in saliva. They are essentially small microscopes designed to examine droplets of saliva. Analysis results in some of these devices can be provided automatically. In other devices, it is necessary to manually compare the pattern visible in the eyepiece with the template. It has been established that in the case of high levels of LH, a certain structure becomes visible in the saliva under a microscope, similar to a tree leaf or a snow crystal. In general, optical instruments are considered more reliable than systems based on chemical urine testing. In addition, they are much more convenient - after all, it is not always convenient for a woman, especially a busy one, to carry out some manipulations with urine. The disadvantage of such devices, however, is their high price. However, given that devices of this type are reusable, they can be cheaper than traditional strip tests.
Can ovulation test strips show a positive result during pregnancy?
Theoretically, this cannot happen, but in practice such a phenomenon still occurs. The reason for this is that human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), released during pregnancy, is similar in structure to LH. Therefore, the LH test may mistake hCG for LH. But this curiosity most likely indicates the low quality of the test for PH.
When should you start testing for ovulation?
You can, of course, carry out the test every day throughout the menstrual cycle, but in most cases this is irrational from a financial point of view (one test strip costs at least 60 rubles, and with an increase in quality, and as a result, accuracy, its price, naturally , increases). Therefore, most women calculate the approximate time of the onset of ovulation. As a rule, ovulation occurs in the middle of the menstrual cycle. That is, if a woman’s cycle is normal and lasts 28 days, then ovulation usually occurs on the 14th day. The first day of the cycle is the day the menstruation begins.
However, the exact time of ovulation is impossible to predict (otherwise there would be no need for any tests). The following factors may influence the timing of ovulation:
- infectious diseases,
- psychological and emotional state of a woman,
- changing weather conditions.
Also, the time of ovulation may be “off” after childbirth, abortion, or when menopause approaches. It is for this reason and because it is best to know about ovulation in advance, it is best to start testing a few days before the expected date of this event. Most experts recommend starting testing on the 11th day of your period. In this case, you can conduct not one test per day, but two, every 12 hours. If the cycle length is more than 28 days, then it is recommended to start testing 17 days before the start of the next period.
If a woman’s cycles have different durations, then it is necessary to focus on the shortest cycle. That is, if a woman has cycles of 26 and 32 days a year, then it is better to assume that the expected day of ovulation is the 13th day. Or you can subtract 17 days from the minimum cycle and start testing from that day.
Is testing always reliable?
In what cases are false positive tests possible? LH levels may increase not only due to upcoming ovulation, but also due to ovarian depletion syndrome, hormonal dysfunction, renal failure, and postmenopause. Also, the level of the hormone is highest in the morning - which is why it is not recommended to take the first morning urine for testing. In addition, tests can also respond to increased levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone, as well as to phytohormones that can enter a woman’s body with food.
All this suggests that relying only on tests is not the wisest decision. Other diagnostic methods, such as ultrasound, are more reliable than rapid tests.
Tests accompany a modern person throughout his life. The first test that a newborn has to face in the first minutes of life is the Apgar test, which assesses the viability of the baby. And then tests rain down on a person, as if from a cornucopia - a test for admission to school, a test for graduation, a test for employment, psychological tests, sports tests, stress resistance tests, medical tests... And here’s another one - an ovulation test .
Women who dream of getting pregnant and becoming mothers consider this test the most important in their lives, because it allows them to determine the most favorable moment for conceiving a baby, who will become the mother’s main love and main concern for the rest of her life. What is an ovulation test that has not yet been heard of until relatively recently?
What is ovulation and how is it related to fertilization and conception?
The word “ovulation” itself comes from the Latin ovum, which means “egg,” and refers to a certain time in the female monthly cycle (menstrual cycle) when a fully mature egg, capable of fertilization, emerges from the ovarian follicle into the abdominal cavity.
It would seem that the test is not needed, because there is an egg ready for fertilization. However, in reality, everything is not so simple, since the life cycle of a mature egg is quite short - only 24 hours, and only these days can be effective for trying to conceive. The unfertilized egg self-destructs and is removed from the female body - menstruation (menstruation) begins.
Attention! Pregnancy can occur only within 24 hours after the release of a mature egg from the ovary into the abdominal cavity.
It does not hurt to remember that during ovulation only one egg is released from the ovary, and extremely rarely during ovulation more eggs are released - then it becomes possible to conceive and give birth to fraternal twins.
In addition, not every menstrual cycle can culminate in ovulation, that is, the release of a mature and ready-to-conceive egg, since the ovulation process reacts very sensitively to changes in any external and internal circumstances: climate change, abnormal weather conditions, physical fatigue, psychological stress, any disease ( especially infectious) - many things can interfere with ovulation. At the same time, menstrual bleeding does not disappear anywhere - obsolete epithelial tissue, unclaimed mucus and other physiological substances are removed from the uterus. Thus, it may well happen that menstruation does not yet indicate that there was ovulation in the female body, which did not end in fertilization and conception.
If everything is normal with the woman’s health and environmental conditions, then ovulation in a sexually mature woman occurs regularly, however, the frequency of ovulation for each woman is different and can range from 21 to 35 days (although these periods sometimes fluctuate).
Attention! Ovulation (the release of a mature egg) is regulated by neurohumoral activity and the activity of the hormonal system. The gonadotropic hormones of the anterior pituitary gland and the follicular hormone of the ovary are of utmost importance for ovulation.
It is known that the established ovulation rhythm can change in some cases:
- Termination of pregnancy (abortion) changes the rhythm of ovulation; in this case, the rhythm of ovulation changes over the next three months after surgery to terminate pregnancy;
- Pregnancy and childbirth change the established ovulation rhythm - after childbirth, the ovulation rhythm changes over the next year;
- In addition, the regularity of menstrual bleeding and, accordingly, the rhythm of ovulation can change during the period of preparation of the body for the decline of sexual function, that is, for the premenopausal period, which most often occurs after 40 years.
As for the complete cessation of ovulation in sexually mature healthy women, this occurs only in two cases:
- The onset of pregnancy stops ovulation, since the functioning of the entire hormonal system radically changes;
- Ovulation is impossible after the end of the childbearing period, when the menstrual function of the female body completely fades away.
The essence of the ovulation test
The essence of the ovulation test is to determine as accurately as possible the time of release of a mature egg and, accordingly, determine the most suitable time for conceiving a child. In addition, the exact time of ovulation is very important when preparing for artificial insemination and when preparing for in vitro fertilization.
Some women may sense the approaching and/or onset of ovulation due to certain signs, for example, short-term specific pain in the lower abdomen or an increase in the amount of mucous discharge from the genitals (from the vagina). But for many women, ovulation occurs without any obvious signs, so the importance of an ovulation test for them if they want to get pregnant increases even more.
What is an ovulation test? These are special test strips that allow you to determine with maximum accuracy the time most suitable for conception. Determining the right time for fertilization using test strips is considered an accurate way to determine ovulation and therefore significantly increases the chances of successful conception.
The test works on the same principle as pregnancy tests. However, the reagent on the strip does not react to the pregnancy hormone, human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), which appears in the blood and urine approximately on the eighth day after fertilization of the egg, and on luteinizing hormone (LH), the appearance of which and its determination on the test strip indicates the body’s readiness to conceive. If the test shows positive results, this indicates that the female body is ready for fertilization and conception.
The time when it makes sense to carry out this test depends on the length of the menstrual cycle, which can vary from 21 days to 35 days for different women. It is completely clear that with such different cycles, ovulation also occurs at different times.
With a standard monthly cycle (and this is considered a 28-day cycle), ovulation tests should begin on the 11th day after the start of the last menstruation. The test must be repeated in the morning for five days, and if the test requires a double test, then twice a day - in the morning and in the evening.
If the menstrual cycle is long enough and lasts more than 29 days, then the test must be carried out, focusing on the expected next menstruation - 17 days before its start.
If the cycle is unsteady and irregular, you should focus on the shortest version of the cycle. If the shortest interval between menstruation was 24 days, then the test must be used from the seventh day from the beginning of the last menstruation.
When does ovulation occur?
It is known what can happen at different times, and this time can differ significantly from the middle of the cycle. We should not forget that ovulation depends on many factors, including climatic and weather conditions, well-being (especially infectious diseases), psychological and physical stress, and many other factors. That is why ovulation tests are the most accurate way to determine the period suitable for conception.
Another method that allows you to accurately determine ovulation is an ultrasound examination, but one cannot but agree that this method is not very practical - a woman cannot do an ultrasound every day, or even twice a day.
Of course, it also happens that there is no choice of ovulation tests - pharmacy chains can only offer one type of test. However, in fact, there are several types of ovulation tests, and they differ in cost, accuracy, and technical characteristics. However, all home tests use urine as the test material.
· The most common ovulation test for consumers is a test strip, or otherwise a strip test (from the English word strip, which means “stripe”). This test consists of a paper strip on which a special reagent is applied - a substance that can react to luteinizing hormone (LH). In addition, control strips are applied to the reagent strip, which will report the test results. To carry out this test, you need to collect a certain amount of urine in a clean container (container) and lower the strip into it (the time may vary, so before using the test you should carefully read the instructions, but it cannot be less than ten seconds.
After the specified time, the test strip should be placed on a horizontal surface and wait for some time, which is also indicated in the instructions. If ovulation has occurred, the level of luteinizing hormone in the urine will be increased and a second line will be clearly visible on the test. If the strip remains alone, this indicates that there is still time before ovulation. But sometimes the second (control) strip is very faintly visible. Is this a bad test? In fact, a faint control line on the test indicates that the egg is almost ready to be released, but this has not happened yet. This means that the test will need to be repeated after 12 hours or 24 hours.
· Another type of ovulation test is the so-called tablet test. This test looks like a plastic case with small special windows that display the result. Window No. 1 is designed to drop a little urine there, and in window No. 2 the result appears quite quickly (no more than two minutes). The appearance of two stripes in the second window indicates that the level of luteinizing hormone (LH) in the urine is so high that we can confidently say that ovulation has occurred.
Attention! The tablet test is considered more reliable than conventional strip tests.
· The third type of ovulation test is the so-called rapid jet test, which is a strip coated with a substance that reacts to luteinizing hormone in the urine. Of course, there is also a control strip here, which allows you to quickly find out the test result. Since the test is a jet test, in this case there is no need to collect urine, but you should simply place the test strip under the stream of urine - after a few minutes (from three to five) the result will be clearly visible, that is, in the case of ovulation, two stripes will clearly appear.
· Portable, reusable test systems are considered very convenient and quite highly accurate. Such systems consist of a control device that operates using high-precision electronics and special strips that must be immersed in urine. There are quite a lot of strips in the set, and this can be considered an additional convenience.
· The most accurate test today is considered to be a digital or electronic test, which has several advantages in addition to high accuracy. First of all, this test is designed for multiple use. Secondly, saliva is used as a material for studying the level of luteinizing hormone. Women will certainly appreciate the appearance of the dough, which resembles a tube of lipstick. A little saliva, which is placed on a special lens, and you can decipher the result (instructions are included).
Ovulation test instructions
· A positive test result does not necessarily indicate that the egg has been released from the ovary.
- A positive test result confirms that there is enough LH (luteinizing hormone) in the body, which is necessary for conception.
- A high level of LH (luteinizing hormone) confirms that the egg has either been released from the ovary or will be released in the coming hours.
- Maximum levels of luteinizing hormone are observed for approximately 24 hours (one day) - during this period fertilization and conception are possible.
- In order for the test to give the most reliable results, it is necessary to consume less liquid several hours before the test to achieve maximum concentration of urine.
- When using a digital (electronic) test using saliva, you must carefully check the results by comparing them with the control images in the test instructions.
- A negative test result may indicate that ovulation has not yet occurred or has already passed (LH levels decrease a day after ovulation).
- Expired, damaged, or poor-quality tests may present false results.
- It is best to start conceiving some time after receiving a positive result - from two to seven hours.
The zygote, from which the embryo then develops, is formed by the fusion of an egg, which always carries an X chromosome, and a sperm, which can be a carrier of an X chromosome or a Y chromosome. A set of two X chromosomes means the conception of a girl, and a set consisting of an X chromosome and a Y chromosome means the conception of a boy.
It is known that an egg is capable of conception for only 24 hours, but sperm retain their fertilizing ability for up to five days. It should not be forgotten that sperm with a Y chromosome, although faster, live shorter - no more than two days. And sperm carrying the X chromosome are slower, but more resilient and live up to five days. Therefore, on the day of ovulation, sexual intercourse with a higher degree of probability suggests the conception of a male child - sperm with a Y chromosome have a greater chance of reaching the egg.
Thus, to increase the chances of conceiving a child of the desired sex, several rules should be followed:
- For the appearance of a boy, it will be useful to practice only protected sex a few days before ovulation;
- Unprotected sexual intercourse if you want to conceive a boy makes sense only after a positive ovulation test result;
- The chances of conceiving a boy increase with deep penetration of the male genital organ during sex, since this shortens the path of the sperm to the egg;
- Any overheating of the male genitals negatively affects the number of sperm with the Y chromosome, which are very sensitive to temperature conditions;
- If you want to conceive a female child, you should not wait for ovulation, but have unprotected sexual intercourse some time before its onset (from 48 to 72 hours);
- After ovulation, to plan the conception of a girl, you should use a condom for at least three days so that only sperm carrying the X chromosome can reach the egg;
- If the penetration of the male genital organ during sex is shallow, then this increases the path of the sperm to the egg, which, in turn, increases the likelihood of conceiving a girl.
Basal temperature
To increase the likelihood of accurately determining the time of ovulation, you can use the method of measuring basal temperature, which also with a high degree of probability allows you to determine the occurrence of ovulation.
Basal temperature is measured in the morning without getting out of bed. The basal temperature in the rectum is measured, that is, the thermometer should be placed in the anus. During ovulation, the basal temperature reaches 37.3-37.6 ° C, although before or after ovulation it does not exceed 37 ° C. Based on the data obtained, you can build a graph so that the day of ovulation is more clearly visible.
We should not forget that the accuracy of the readings during measurement can be affected by a violation of the daily routine, certain foods, alcohol, active physical activity, health status, stress, therefore, in some cases, measuring basal temperature cannot be considered a sufficiently informative and completely reliable way to determine the day of ovulation.
Does an ovulation test indicate pregnancy?
Many women are interested in whether the test shows ovulation and pregnancy. Unfortunately this is not possible. First, an ovulation test can simply indicate that a woman's body is ready to conceive. But whether this conception occurs or not depends, as you understand, not at all on the test.
It also makes no sense to use the test after possible conception, since the sensitive substance applied to the test strips reacts to LH (luteinizing hormone), and the onset of pregnancy is determined by a completely different hormone - human chorionic gonadotropin, or hCG, which appears in the blood and urine not immediately after fertilization of the egg, but approximately on the seventh or eighth day.
Therefore, two bright stripes on the ovulation test, which reacts to a high concentration luteinizing hormone, that is, the readiness of the egg for conception, does not at all correspond to two lines on the test, which determines high concentration human chorionic gonadotropin, which corresponds to conception that has already occurred.
It is also interesting that some women prefer to use an ovulation test as a method of contraception - if only one line is visible, then sex is safe in terms of pregnancy. However, one remark should be made here - sperm, especially those carrying female X chromosomes, can live in the female genital tract and retain their fertilizing abilities for up to five days.
But no test will show that the female body is ready for fertilization! And he's really not ready! But sperm can wait until ovulation and penetrate the egg after three or five days (although this is the limit of their capabilities), that is, fertilize it. That is, this test is not suitable as a means of contraception.
In short, a concentration test(LH) is only a test for ovulation, that is, for the release of an egg into the abdominal cavity, and for the readiness of the egg to give rise to a new life. And nothing more can be expected from this test.
Popular ovulation tests
When buying an ovulation test, you always want to choose something more reliable. It should be noted that any purchased ovulation test, if it is not expired, if it was stored correctly and if it is used correctly, will show more or less reliable results. However, the leaders in customer preferences and, accordingly, the leaders in sales are the brands Eviplan (manufacturer HelmPharmaceuticals, Germany), Clearblue (SPD SwissPrecisionDiagnosticsGmbH, Geneva, Switzerland) and the Frautest test (manufacturer HumanGmbH, Germany).
German manufacturer HumanGmbH in the series Frautest produces several types of tests: Ovulation test, if menstruation always starts on schedule; the Planning test, which includes five test strips and two pregnancy tests; Ovulation test cassettes for women with unsettled and unstable menstrual cycles (set of seven cassettes).
Also popular are the Ledy-Q tests, which are test- microscope Andmade in South Korea. These tests are considered very reliable. Saliva is used to analyze the concentration of luteinizing hormone.
Of course, any test must be stored correctly, monitor its expiration date and use only in accordance with the instructions.
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