Ovulation Predictor Kit
for
Signs of Ovulation

The benefit of an ovulation predictor kit is that it can detect when the luteinizing hormone (LH) surges. This surge, if high enough, will almost certainly indicate ovulation is about to take place. The way the test works is by analyzing and picking up the LH surge, which happens just before ovulation.

This important event may then be celebrated by getting busy and uniting egg and sperm. Intercourse should happen as soon as the surge is indicated, making conception possible.

Using a predictor kit will give an indication of the LH levels, but it cannot tell exactly when ovulation takes place, and therefore cannot "predict" that pregnancy will follow.

Benefits of an ovulation predictor kit

This is another technology benefit for infertility. There are certain benefits that can be gained by using a kit rather than using ovulation charting and signs of ovulation.

• Used correctly, there is a 97% chance of accurately detecting the LH surge.

• If the LH surge is high enough and ovulation takes place, your chances of conceiving at that time is increased.

The test is available in drug stores and pharmacies and comes in different forms - strips, cassettes or midstream.

Testing and usage

The LH levels are more concentrated in urine, in the late afternoon, from about 2pm. Any fluid intake should be limited to an hour or two before taking the test. Additionally urine should be held in for an hour or two before the test is taken. Try and take the test more or less the same time each day.

Certain medications, like Clomid, may cause a false positive on the test, therefore it is best to take the test a day or two after taking your last pill.

Testing can vary from between 4 to 7 days, depending on how long the monthly cycles are. Testing should continue until a positive surge is detected. It may be a few days longer than expected, depending on the cycles.A faint test line will indicate the presence of LH, but this does not show a surge. The test is positive only once the test line is as dark as the control line.

Positive testing

Once a positive test result indicates a surge has taken place, ovulation can take place immediately or within a 12 to 36 hours. Intercourse should take place the day of the positive, as well as the next day. There is of course nothing wrong with every day for 3 days, when trying to conceive, to ensure a better chance of pregnancy taking place.

For a male who has low sperm count, having intercourse every day is not recommended. Therefore under these circumstances, intercourse should be limited to every alternate day which will encourage new sperm to be produced in between.

Taking into consideration that a positive LH surge does not indicate ovulation has taken place, but only that it may happen shortly.

Infertility testing - factors to consider

An ovulation kit is in fact very useful during an infertility phase, and many women use them. There are however some factors that should be considered when using them:

• The kit tests for levels of LH and does not test that ovulation has taken place.

• When an LH surge is indicated, it may be due to an unusual condition experienced by some, called Luteinized Unruptured Follicle Syndrome. No ovulation takes place, and medical treatment may be required.

• A women who has PCOS, will continually produce surges of LH. This condition could also reflect a positive test.

• If the kit is used incorrectly, intercourse may be timed at the incorrect time before or after ovulation.

• Medications, such as Clomid, Pergonal, Danol, or HCG injections, which may affect the LH levels, could produce a false positive.

Recommendations

The availability and convenience of using an ovulation predictor kit is a real benefit for an infertile woman. Before making use of these kits, through testing of your particular situation should be undertaken by your primary doctor, during your infertility investigation. Discuss your intention of using a testing kit with him or her, and then this can be included as part of the plan for your infertility treatment.

Additionally, monitoring of your bodies ovulation signs is another recommendation. Ovulation cycle will help you get started in tracking these important signs. Temperature changes, cervical fluid, any pain on ovulation, as well as the LH surge testing, can then all be used together to ensure egg and sperm meet at the right time, for conception to take place.

Use an ovulation predictor kit to assist you with causes of infertility which is ovulation based.

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