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You can determine when you’re ovulating by doing your own Basal Body Temperature (BBT) charting… but if you want to be extra sure, then go ahead and enlist the help of home ovulation prediction kits. These kits will pinpoint your most fertile days, and you can then time your intercourse to maximize your chances of getting pregnant. Read on to find out more!
Urine-based ovulation prediction kits vs Saliva-based ovulation kits
Ovulation prediction kits come in two forms: urine-based kits, and saliva-based kits. The former detect an increase in luteinising hormone (LH), and the latter identify the salt content of your saliva, which tend to increase as your oestrogen levels rise.
Where do you purchase ovulation prediction kits?
You can purchase your kits from pharmacies such as Watsons and Guardian. There are also kits available on iHerb.com.
When’s the best time to use your ovulation prediction kit?
As you’re doing your BBT charting, you should be able to gauge the period in which you’re fertile. You may start using your ovulation prediction kit two to three days before this time period, or when you start noticing a build-up of sticky cervical mucus (which indicates that you’re ovulating).
If you’re using a urine-based test, it’s recommended to test in the morning, because that’s when your LH levels are at the highest. To increase the accuracy of your results, take your test at the same time every day, and try not to urinate four hours prior to testing.
How accurate are ovulation prediction kits?
While most kits claim to be highly accurate in detecting ovulation, no one kit can confirm that ovulation has taken place.
This is due to the fact that all women ovulate differently – women who have Luteinized Unruptured Follicle Syndrome (LUFS), for example, may experience a surge in LH, but not go on to release an egg. Women who have Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) are also known to have false peaks in their LH preceding a full peak, which might be misleading as well.
If you’re taking prescription drugs or are undergoing hormone therapy, this may also affect the results of your ovulation prediction kits. The same goes for women who have recently come off their hormonal contraceptives. For these ladies, it’s recommended to wait until your cycle stabilizes before you start using an ovulation prediction kit.
What if I never get a positive result in your ovulation prediction kits?
If you have never gotten a positive result with your ovulation prediction kit, this might mean several things. First and foremost, it’s possible that you have a short LH surge, and you’re missing it with your tests. To remedy this, try testing twice per day during your cycle.
On the other end of the spectrum, women with long cycles may also not get positive results in their prediction kits. Assuming you have a long cycle, there’s a chance that you might have started testing too early. If you suspect that this is the case, wait till you see signs that you’re ovulating before starting to test.
Last but not least, you may not be getting any positive results because you’re simply not ovulating. If you’re underweight, you have an intense workout routine, or you’ve been sick or under a lot of stress, this might be the case.
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