Many couples have in common the desire to have children, be it immediately after marriage or even after a few years. There are numerous methods that make conceiving easier. These include the process of recording body temperature (BBT), weight control, checking cervical mucus, IVF and finally, the easiest of all, the use of an ovulation test strip.
What is an ovulation test strip?
An ovulation test strip is a home-based test that can be used to determine the exact time of a woman’s ovulation. This is a period of time where the possibility of becoming pregnant is the highest.
The ovulation test strips work by measuring the luteinising hormones (LH) present in the urine. Typically, LH is secreted at low levels throughout one’s menstrual cycle.
However, once a developing egg follicle reaches a certain maturity, LH levels increase, and ovulation occurs shortly after in the following 12-36 hours. Ovulation test strips are thus able to detect ovulation by measuring one’s level of LH.
What does fertile window mean on the period tracker?
When it comes to getting pregnant, knowing when ovulation occurs is crucial since the window of chance to conceive is rather narrow each month.
The “fertile window" in a woman’s cycle lasts six days and corresponds to the lifetime of the sperm and the egg.
If you have intercourse in the three days preceding up to and including ovulation, your chances of getting pregnant skyrocket.
If a woman has intercourse six days or more before ovulating, her chances of becoming pregnant are almost nil. Then, in the three days coming up to and including ovulation, the likelihood of pregnancy climbs progressively to 27-33 percent.
What are the best fertile days to get pregnant?
A woman’s menstrual cycle lasts 28 to 32 days on average. Most women ovulate between days 11 and 21 after the start day of their last menstrual cycle.
Women, for the most part, ovulate around the middle of their cycles. However, even if a woman has regular periods and a normal cycle, there are a number of circumstances that might contribute to a lack of ovulation each month, such as hormone issues.
When should I use ovulation test strips?
There is no right or wrong timing to test for ovulation. Some women like to test their pee first thing in the morning, while others prefer to do it later in the day or evening.
Keep in mind that the quantity of luteinizing hormone (LH) in your urine might be diluted by drinking drinks. If this happens, it may appear that you are not ovulating while you are actually ovulating.
So, around 2 hours before the test, reduce your fluid consumption. It’s also a good idea to avoid urinating for 1 to 2 hours before the test.
How Do We Choose the Best Ovulation Test Strip?
With the endless choices of fertility tests to choose from, we have made the task easier by focussing on these two essential factors:
- Level of sensitivity: The sensitivity of the test indicates the minimum amount of LH in your system that the test is able to detect. A lower number indicates a more sensitive test as it shows that the test can detect lower ranges of Lh that would otherwise be missed out on tests with higher thresholds.
- Ease of use: Ovulation tests can be challenging to use, especially if you are new to them. It is advisable to kit’s instructions to ensure that you are using them correctly.
The Best Fertility Test in Malaysia
#1 Clearblue Digital Ovulation Test
The Clearblue brand is one of the most accurate and reliable brands in the market, well-liked for higher sensitivity than other brands. Test results are generated in 3 minutes and displayed through either a happy or sad emoticon.
The product is also recommended by gynaecologists and boasts an accuracy of over 99%.
Why we like it:
- Fast results with only a 3-minute wait
- Extremely accurate (>99%) in detecting LH surges
- Clear results, depicted with either a happy or sad face
- Identifies your 2 most fertile days
- Recommended by experts
#2 BioTest Ovulation Test Kit
Each box contains 3 kits.
To use the test, you need to hold the test instrument down by the thumb grip with the exposed tip of the absorber facing down. Then, place the tip in a direct stream of urine for 10-15 seconds to allow maximum urine absorption.
Place the test kit on a flat level surface with the results window facing up. Results will form after 5 minutes in the window.
Why we like it:
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- Quick results with only a 5-minute wait
- Easily available at pharmacies
- Identifies your 2 most fertile days
#3 One Step Ovulation Test
Each box contains 5 kits and is readily available in Watson pharmacies.
To use the test, you need to hold the test with the absorber facing down and place it in a direct stream of urine for at least 10 seconds.
Alternatively, you could also urinate in a collection cup and dip half of the tip of the absorbent into the urine for at least 3 seconds. Then, close the device and wait for the coloured strip to appear in the results window.
Results will take about 5 minutes.
Why we like it:
- From a trusted pharmaceutical brand in Singapore/ Malaysia
- Value for money
- Quick results with only a 5 minute wait
- Easy to use
How to read an ovulation test strip?
You’ll get two lines if you’re using basic test strips. The control line is one line long. This is only to inform you that the test is functioning well. The 2nd line is the test line. When this second line is as dark as or darker than the control line, LH is rising.
A design will emerge on the screen if you’re using an ovulation test with a digital display, indicating if you’ve reached your fertile window.
When your test shows a positive result, you’ll know that your LH is spiking and that your fertile window is closing in on you in the following 24 to 48 hours.
Do ovulation test strips really work?
Ovulation tests are very successful in predicting ovulation because they are 97% accurate in detecting an LH surge.
Final remarks
Regardless of whichever kit you end up choosing, be sure to seek advice from your doctor if you need any clarifications or assistance on how to use them.
Additionally, please do consult your doctor if you are experiencing any irregular menstruation as well as to figure out if something may be going on.
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Read more: A Women’s Health Expert Answers Your Questions About Fertility Tracking