Ovulation Predictor Kit | Ovulation Test Kit

Are you getting frustrated that while you dutifully do up your fertility charts, all they can do is to indicate that ovulation has already taken place and you have missed yet another chance at conception?

Won't you prefer something that'll tell you when you'll ovulate so that you can plan ahead instead?

An ovulation predictor kit is actually a urine testing kit. It can predict an impending ovulation by measuring the amount of Luteinising Hormone (LH) present in your urine. It is a fertility test that tells you when you are about to enter your fertile window so that you can plan intercourse at the right time to achieve a pregnancy.

LH is the sex hormone that stimulates ovulation in your body during the middle stage of your menstrual cycle. The LH in your body will surge dramatically just prior to ovulation.

This upsurge in LH happens only briefly. The concentration of LH present in your urine during this surge can be detected by the OPK testing stick through its coating of anti -LH antibodies.

The ovulation predictor kit works very simply. Each kit carries a few plastic testing sticks; about five to seven of them, for urine testing. These sticks come with color codes, with the appropriate color band highlighted as urine sample comes into contact with them, indicating either a positive or negative reading.

To find out whether you are entering your fertile window, simply urinate directly onto one test stick for about ten seconds, and then read the results. Alternatively, you can urinate into a clean container, such as a clean paper cup, before dipping the stick in to test your urine.

You will have to wait for about ten minutes for the chemical on your stick to react with your urine to show results. So remember this numbers - ten and ten. First run the stick under your urine or dip it into your urine sample for about ten seconds, and then wait for another ten minutes for your stick to show results. It's that simple!

If you have a LH surge, a positive result will show up. If you experience no LH surge, then a negative result will register. 'No LH surge' simply means no surge in LH. It does not mean absolutely no LH presence in your body system, because you always do have a small amount of LH present in your system.

Don't worry about interpreting your test results as ovulation predictor kit usually comes with clear instructions on how to read color codes. Each ovulation test stick comes with a control color which you measure your results against. When your test band shows up a color that is equal or darker than the control color, your result is positive. It is negative if your test band shows up a color that is lighter than the control color.

Now, please take note of this next sentence. Repeat after me: "A positive test result means that I will ovulate approximately 24 to 36 hours after my LH surge". Get it?

For the ovulation predictor kit to be accurate, do perform your test at about the same time everyday throughout the duration of your testing period. The best time to test your urine is in the mid afternoon as your body produces LH in the morning.

Please remember that your LH surge is very brief. As such, you will need to begin testing four to five days before your expected date of ovulation so as not to miss it. Don't try to save on the sticks lest you miss your ovulation altogether.

And how would you know when is your expected date of ovulation? Well, you won't know when exactly, or else you wouldn't need an ovulation predictor in the first place would you? But if you have an inkling when it would be, it would save you money because you would know when to begin testing and save on those sticks. If not, you would need to buy many testing sticks to be used throughout your whole menstrual cycle.

Ok, back to the question, how would you know when is your expected date of ovulation?

Refer to your BBT fertility charts. All those work in collecting your daily basal body temperatures ain't gonna be wasted you know? Your charts would give you an estimate of when ovulation would happen.

Then begin your testing four to five days prior to your expected date of ovulation. You'll spend less money by working more efficiently.

Once your test stick indicates your LH surge, be alert, ready for duty within 24 to 36 hours when your ovulation will take place.

If you still have doubts as to when you should start testing yourself, simply follow the chart provided in most OPKs. It'll tell you when to start testing your urine according to the length of your period.

Take note that OPKs have expiry dates so that when you buy in bulk, check the dates.

OPKs are reliable most of the time for ovulation prediction. However, medications that you consume including fertility drugs can affect your system and alter your results. They can produce false positives.

When you purchase an ovulation predictor kit, the first thing to do is to read the instructions provided. Specific instructions are usually given on how and when to test yourself if you're on certain drugs. If you are unsure, find out more from the manufacturer or check with your doctor.

If you're on medications, it is wise to get an idea from your doctor on how your medications would interfere with the OPK test results. Ask him about the chances that his prescribed medicines would disturb your ovulation predicting efforts. He should be sympathetic to listen you out.

Besides the OPKs, other types of fertility testing tools, kits or aids are also available in the market. They are:

The ovulation predictor kit results can be altered by medications such as hMG, Clomiphene and hCG.

Your results may also be unreliable if you just have experienced a miscarriage or are having ovarian cysts.

As usual, the advice is to consult your doctor on what to do next and whether using an OPK is useful under these circumstances.

The Ovulation Predictor Kit (OPK)