How ovulation tests work
The chance of pregnancy is greatest on the day you ovulate and the day before ovulation. Ovulation tests can tell you exactly when you ovulate, and therefore they can also significantly increase the chance of pregnancy
What is ovulation?
Women of childbearing age ovulate every month. This means that one of the two ovaries releases an egg after it has matured in the ovaries. When the tiny egg, which measures approximately 0.15 cm, is released, it becomes trapped in the woman's fallopian tube and now begins a journey of an average of 5 days before it reaches the uterus. The process is promoted by the ovulatory hormone LH, which rises significantly 24-36 hours before ovulation. There is now a chance of pregnancy if the egg meets a sperm within 24 hours after ovulation which succeeds in penetrating the egg and fertilizing it. Read more about ovulation here: What is ovulation and when is the greatest chance to get pregnant? – Gravidtid
How does the ovulation test work?
The ovulation test measures the concentration of the ovulatory hormone LH. This means that when the test is positive, the woman will ovulate within the next 24 hours. Therefore, it is important to have intercourse during this period, as the chance of pregnancy is greatest in the next 2-3 days. You should also have sex in the days leading up to ovulation, so that you are sure that there are sperm in the uterus and fallopian tubes when ovulation occurs.
When in the cycle should you start with ovulation tests?
Before you can find the right time to test for ovulation, it is important that you know the length of your cycle. Cycle is calculated from the first day of the last period until the first day of the next period. On average, the cycle lasts 28-29 days, but it is quite normal for the cycle to last from 23-35 days Sundhed.dk recommends that you test daily starting on day 11-12 after the first day of your last period.
What time of day is the best time to test for ovulation?
When you start testing, it is recommended that you test at the same time every day, if you only test once a day. LH is produced early in the morning, and therefore it is recommended that you do not measure ovulation early in the morning. Please test between 10:00 and 20:00 and avoid drinking in the last two hours before you test for ovulation. Too much liquid helps to reduce the concentration of LH, and this can help to give a false result. Please also avoid urinating for 4 hours before you test. This is to avoid the urine becoming too thin.
See Gravidtid.dk's large selection of ovulation tests here: Ægløsningstests – Gravidtid