What is ovulation and how to use an ovulation test

What is LH?

Ovulation is when an egg is released from the ovary into the fallopian tube. When your estrogen levels are high enough, your brain releases LH (luteinizing hormone), which triggers your ovary to release an egg. Ovulation tests allow you to test LH levels and find out when you’re ovulating. LH peaks 24-36 hours before ovulation. As you get closer to ovulating, the test line on LH test will darken because of higher amounts of LH in your urine. 

 

How to use an ovulation strip?

An ovulation test has two lines. One is the control line, and one is the test line. Place 20 millilitres (ml) of urine into a cup and dip the strip into the urine cup to the indicated line until the dye rises.

Let the strip sit for 5 minutes, then compare the control line to the test line.

If the test line is much lighter than the control, you have low LH levels in your urine and aren’t ovulating yet.

If the line is almost as dark as the control, your LH levels are high.

If your test line is the same color as the control line or darker, your LH levels are at their peak, and you'll be ovulating within the next 24-36 hours.

Your LH will stay elevated for a couple of days this is why it is important to catch it on the way up and not on the way down.

Follow the chart in the instruction manual for the best day to start testing LH for your cycle length. 

If getting pregnant is your goal, it’s essential to start having sex when you see your LH levels rising. You want sperm to be present when the egg is released into the fallopian tubes.