Ovulation tests

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It is possible to chart your menstrual cycle to determine your most fertile days for conception, and to keep an eye on your health. ovulation tests are a convenient way to track fertility, because it can be “It’s time consuming.” and difficult.

An ovulation test is a great way to know if you are ovulating or not.

Most often, ovulation tests are used to plan pregnancy. “Ovulation tests are best used when trying to identify the fertile window to conceive,” explains Lucky Sekhon, MD, an OB-GYN, reproductive endocrinologist, and infertility specialist at RMA of New York.

For those who want to get pregnant, research finds that using at-home ovulation tests may increase your chances of getting pregnant.

Sekhon says that some people might use ovulation tests to try to prevent pregnancies.

“However, this method has a high failure rate. So, if you’re interested in preventing unplanned pregnancy, I would choose a more effective and reliable form of contraception,” she says.

Ovulation test strips are a popular option in this product category, but digital ovulation tests and ovulation-tracking smart devices are also available.

The time when an egg is released from one of the ovaries is measured by ovulation tests. The egg can be fertilized by sperm.

The hormones made by the pituitary and the ovary are assessed in most ovulation tests.

Sekhon says that the ovaries are sent a signal to ovulate an egg. The hormone signal goes through the bloodstream, gets passed through the kidneys, and ends up in the urine. It means that ovulation will likely take place in the next 12 to 36 hours.

All ovulation tests use a urine sample to determine if the woman is pregnant.

Types of ovulation tests

  • LH-only ovulation tests: These tests look for the presence of LH in the urine only.
  • LH and estrogen ovulation tests: Some ovulation tests can also detect estrogen metabolites in urine. “When a developing follicle contains a maturing egg [that’s] ready to ovulate, it secretes an elevated level of estrogen, which then signals to the pituitary that LH should be released,” Sekhon explains. So, when estrogen is detected in your urine, it gives you a heads-up that ovulation is impending. This could be useful, because LH is released in pulses, and it’s possible to miss the surge if you’re only testing once per day. “The detection of elevated estrogen may be helpful to signal when you should be paying closer attention and potentially checking twice per day.”
  • Progesterone ovulation tests: Unlike the other types of ovulation tests listed here, this type of test is used after you think you ovulated, as the hormone progesterone is produced by the ovaries post-ovulation. “Some newer test strips can detect progesterone, which can serve as a nice confirmation that you ovulated,” Sekhon says.

We spoke with medical professionals about what to look for in an ovulation test to find the best one. Experts agreed that the top factors to consider are.

  • Reason for use: The tests selected for this list are suitable for planning pregnancy. They may also potentially help prevent pregnancy if used in conjunction with other more reliable forms of contraception and cycle tracking methods.
  • Budget: There’s a wide range in the pricing of ovulation tests. Price usually correlates with ease of use, so there are some more expensive options on this list. Sekhon says that, if you’re using ovulation tests simply to time sex (and not necessarily to know your cycle better), simple LH-detecting strips work really well, tend to be cheaper, and can be bought in bulk.
  • FDA registration: It’s important that any ovulation test you use meets the standards of the Food & Drug Administration. All the ovulation tests on this list are registered with the FDA.
  • Reviews: We also checked out reviews to see which ovulation tests people had positive experiences with.

Pricing guide

  • $ = under $20
  • $$ = $20–$50
  • $$$ = over $50

Best for using with an app

Modern Fertility Ovulation Test

  • Price: $
  • Test type: LH-only test strips
  • Quantity of tests: 20
  • Time it takes: 5 minutes
  • Who it’s best for: people looking for a supportive community

Modern Fertility has an impressive app that they created to help interpret and keep track of test results.

You can get cycle predictions based on multiple data points if you track other fertility indicators in the app. The app has a better user experience than many other apps.

“The interpretation guide is printed on the packaging. If you don’t use the app, this may be useful for judging the strength of the test line.”

Some reviewers think the price is higher than they would like and that the tests are comparable to cheaper options.

Modern Fertility has an online community where users can get support from fertility experts and other customers alike. If you are unsure about what your test results mean, or if you are considering reaching out to a doctor, this can be helpful.

Pros

  • There is an online support community.
  • cycle predictions
  • The app is user-friendly.

Cons

  • strips only detect LH
  • “The tests don’t give detailed fertility information.”
  • comparable products are priced the same
Shop now at Modern Fertility

Best mega pack

Easy@Home Ovulation Test Strips 100-Pack

  • Price: $$
  • Test type: LH-only test strips
  • Quantity of tests: 100
  • Time it takes: 3–5 minutes
  • Who it’s best for: buyers on a budget

If you’re looking for value, this large-sized pack of 100 ovulation test strips should do the trick for a very reasonable price. These dip strips last most people many months of testing for ovulation, so they’re a great pick if you anticipate tracking ovulation over a longer period of time.

The Easy@ Home ovulation test strips show similar surge results to more expensive brands.

Some people say they had a hard time interpreting the darkness of the test line to determine when they were ovulating.

The brand has a simple-to-use app for scanning your test strips daily to keep track of results, and these test strips seem to be a crowd favorite. The app helps with interpretation, which makes it easier to determine when you are having a low, high, and peak fertility day.

Pros

  • Good value for money.
  • comparable results to more expensive options
  • The app is available.

Cons

  • Interpretation of result is subjective.
  • “It’s difficult to take photos with the app.”
  • “It’s time consuming.”
Shop now at Amazon

Best test strip

Natalist Ovulation Test Kit

  • Price: $
  • Test type: LH-only test strips
  • Quantity of tests: 30
  • Time it takes: 5 minutes
  • Who it’s best for: people who want an environment-friendly test

If you want to use ovulation test strips over other types of ovulation tests, you should look at the test strips. They come in packs of 30.

“The reuse of the cup is a great benefit, as it cuts down on waste and you don’t have to buy your own cups separately. Natalist is a plastic-neutral company so it makes sense to offer this bonus.”

The tests come with a tracker that you can use to see the progression of your test.

“The reviewers love that the instructions on how to use the test are printed in the packet, so you won’t have to look for the box if you forget.”

These are a little more expensive than other test strips, but they come in a smaller quantity. The price is worth it for the urine test cup and tracker alone, reviewers say.

Pros

  • Interpretation straightforward.
  • easy collection of urine
  • The company is 100% plastic-neutral.

Cons

  • Some may prefer dipsticks.
  • “It’s more expensive than some alternatives.”
  • Not made in the USA.
Shop now at Target

Best progesterone ovulation test

Proov Predict and Confirm Kit

  • Price: $$
  • Test type: LH and PdG test strips
  • Quantity of tests: 15 LH and 5 PdG
  • Time it takes: 10 minutes
  • Who it’s best for: people who want to know their fertile window and confirm ovulation

“The Proov Predict and Confirmation Kit is a good option if you want to confirm that you have ovulated. The kit comes with 15 test strips to use before and after you think you’re pregnant.”

If your progesterone levels rise, you will be able to detect the urine metabolite of the drug, pregnanediol glucuronide.

Reviewers note that the test strips are more expensive than others, but they can still provide peace of mind that the baby was born.

Reviewers note that using these tests and getting a negative PdG result helped them figure out that they needed more testing.

Some reviewers find the tests difficult to understand. The PdG tests work opposite to the LH tests. Two lines mean a positive result. One bold line means a positive result and two lines are a negative result.

Many users find these tests helpful. Sekhon says the tests can be used to check if you are ovulating.

Pros

  • Includes tests for PdG and LH.
  • It allows you to know when you are going to have an egg.
  • Useful for people with polycystic ovarian syndrome who may get unclear results with LH.

Cons

  • pricier than some options.
  • You may not need to have PdG tests.
  • “It isn’t a substitute for the blood tests.”
Shop now at Proov

Best ovulation-pregnancy test combo

Pregmate 50 Ovulation and 20 Pregnancy Test Strips Predictor Kit

  • Price: $
  • Test type: LH-only test strips
  • Quantity of tests: 50 ovulation and 20 pregnancy
  • Time it takes: 5 minutes
  • Who it’s best for: anyone interested in knowing their ovulation and pregnancy status

It is convenient to have some pregnancy tests on hand if you are trying to get pregnant or prevent it.

The pack contains 50 ovulation tests and 20 pregnancy test strips, which is the best combo choice. You will have a lot of tests to check for fertility and for a pregnant woman.

The tests are the same but come in different colored packaging to make it easier to tell the difference. You can dip a strip into your urine for 3 to 5 seconds, lay it flat and wait for the results to come in.

The reviewers love that the pregnancy tests in this kit are very sensitive, which means they can detect pregnant women before other less sensitive tests.

Some reviewers find the ovulation tests difficult to understand. The test lines are not considered a positive result unless they are darker than the control line.

Pros

  • The days when there is fertile and fertile days when there is a surge of the hormones.
  • It is It is It is easy to use…
  • The box is easy to store.

Cons

  • There are reports of faulty strips.
  • It It may be difficult to understand. results.
  • Basic fertility information is provided.
Shop now at Amazon

Best smart test

Clearblue Fertility Monitor

  • Price: $$$
  • Test type: LH
  • Quantity of tests: test strips sold separately
  • Time it takes: 5 minutes
  • Who it’s best for: people looking for comprehensive fertility information

The Clearblue Fertility Monitor is a top choice if you are looking for a smart, higher-tech option. It has an It is It is easy to use.. touch screen and keeps all your test info in one place.

Wait 5 minutes for your results after you dip the test wand in your urine sample. The monitor tells you when you need to test and when you need to store your cycle information so you can compare how things are going.

This device is not suitable for people trying to prevent pregnancies.

The test wands are sold separately, meaning you need to make two purchases to get started.

“Similar to Clearblue’s other ovulation products, this monitor tells you when you have low, high, and peak fertility based on your hormones.”

“The device requires you to set a 5-hour window for testing, which is not liked by reviewers. You can’t test for the day if you miss the window.”

If you purchase a pregnancy test wand for it, the monitor will allow you to test for pregnant women at the end of your cycle.

Pros

  • Provides a lot of information.
  • It is It is It is easy to use…
  • Stores have cycle information.

Cons

  • The daily testing window is limited.
  • Must be purchased separately.
  • A company is involved in a lawsuit.
Shop now at Amazon

Best for details on your cycle

Clearblue Advanced Digital Ovulation Test

  • Price: $$
  • Test type: LH and estrogen test strips
  • Quantity of tests: 20
  • Time it takes: 5 minutes
  • Who it’s best for: people looking to maximize chances of conception

This is the ideal test for someone who wants to know more about their cycle. It can identify more fertile days than your standard test strip because it measures both your estrogen rise and your LH surge. You have more chances to have a baby.

If you are trying to prevent pregnancy, you will know when to avoid barrier-free sex.

The price of the test kit is a potential downside. It is more expensive than other options and you have to buy test wand refill periodically. Most people find the extra cost worth it for more information about their cycle, according to reviews.

The Clearblue Advanced Digital ovulation Test made it easier to get pregnant.

“The ovulation test has a blinking smiley face when an estrogen rise is detected and a solid smiley face when an LH surge is detected, which may be because it doesn’t have to be seen by the control line.”

The company has no certifications, privacy standards or Better Business Bureau profile. Clearblue was involved in a lawsuit in 2015, which was over the misrepresentation of a pregnancy test product.

Pros

  • Provides detailed cycle information.
  • “It’s easy to understand.”
  • Increased chance of conception.

Cons

  • pricier option
  • Must buy new test wands.
  • A company is involved in a lawsuit.
Shop now at Walmart

Best budget pick

Wondfo LH Ovulation Strips

  • Price: $
  • Test type: LH-only test strips
  • Quantity of tests: 50
  • Time it takes: 3–5 minutes
  • Who it’s best for: experienced ovulation test users

The Wondfo LH ovulation strips are a good choice for those with a small budget. They deliver results in just 3 to 5 minutes, and reviewers say the strips show clearer results than other tests.

Some reviewers were not happy with the packaging and lack of instructions for using the tests.

“Others swear by the quality and price of these tests. They are an excellent option for those who already know how to use ovulation tests and don’t need much in the way of instruction.”

The reviewers point out that the tests are ideal for anyone with irregular cycles who may need to test many days a month in order to identify their surge.

The Wondfo tests are great for anyone who wants to know their cycle better after taking birth control, and not necessarily for people who want to get pregnant, but who want to know their cycle better after taking birth control.

The company has no certifications, privacy standards or a Better Business Bureau profile. The company was involved in a lawsuit.

Pros

  • It is inexpensive.
  • Good for people with irregular cycles.

Cons

  • “If the returns are faulty, don’t accept them.”
  • It may be difficult to understand.
Shop now at Amazon

Best hormone analysis

Mira Plus Starter Kit

  • Price: $$$
  • Test type: E3G and LH test wands
  • Quantity of tests: 10 in starter kit, additional wands sold separately
  • Time it takes: 15–20 minutes
  • Who it’s best for: those looking for an advanced in-home monitor that shows the full fertile window

“The bells and whistles that some ovulation test kits offer aren’t necessary to know whether you’re ovulating, but they can be helpful to get a bigger picture of your fertility and hormones”

The Mira Fertility Tracker uses lab-grade tech and artificial intelligence to analyze your unique hormone levels and is a sound choice for hormone analysis.

It gives a more in-depth look at your levels compared to the simpler estimations.

Mira uses machine learning to learn your cycle. It is easier to identify days of fertility and ovulation with this information.

Mira can detect a surge in the hormones. It also tests for E3G, a metabolite of estrogen.

“Mira’s technology can detect the fertile window up to 5 days before you become pregnant, which is great news for women who are trying to determine their window of ovulation.”

The price is one of the drawbacks of this test kit. The starter kit is expensive and you have to buy test wand refill separately. Mira recommends using 10 to 15 wands per cycle.

The kit has mostly positive reviews from online customers who want to know more about their cycles.

Pros

  • The app is user-friendly.
  • Data interpretation using artificial intelligence.
  • It is It is It is easy to use…

Cons

  • high price point
  • There needs to be separate testing wands for progesterone.
  • Each month, must buy refill supplies.
Shop now at Mira Care

Price Test type Number of tests Time it takes
Modern Fertility Ovulation Test $ LH-only test strips 20 5 minutes
Easy@Home Ovulation Test Strips 100-Pack $$ LH-only test strips 100 3–5 minutes
Natalist Ovulation Test Kit $ LH-only test strips 30 5 minutes
Proov Predict and Confirm Kit $$ LH and PdG test strips 15 LH and 5 PdG 10 minutes
Pregmate 50 Ovulation and 20 Pregnancy Test Strips Predictor Kit $ LH-only test strips 50 ovulation and 20 pregnancy 5 minutes
Clearblue Fertility Monitor $$$ LH test strips sold separately 5 minutes
Clearblue Advanced Digital Ovulation Test $$ LH and estrogen test strips 20 5 minutes
Wondfo LH Ovulation Strips $ LH-only test strips 50 3–5 minutes
Mira Fertility Kit & Ovulation Tracker $$$ E3G and LH test wands 10 in starter kit, and additional wands sold separately 15–20 minutes

Since both at- home tests require you to urinate on a strip or place the strip into urine, using an ovulation test kit is a lot like taking a pregnancy test. Refer to the directions included in your kit for specific instructions.

When an egg is likely to release and when the most likely to occur are predicted by the rise of the LH.

After urinating on the test strip, it will turn a certain color or show a positive sign to indicate that a surge in LH has been detected. You can start ovulating in the next 24 to 36 hours if you are positive.

You may need to take multiple ovulation tests over the course of several days to detect a surge in LH. You may miss the surge if you miss a day of testing.

It might be difficult to know when to start testing. It depends on the length of your menstrual cycle. The average menstrual cycle is 28 days, with a variation between 21 and 35 days.

The next cycle usually begins 12 to 14 days before the first one. It is recommended to start testing 3 to 5 days before the expected date of ovulation. If your cycle lasts for 28 days, you should begin testing around day 11.

When should you start using ovulation tests?

If you have longer or shorter cycles, it can be tricky to figure out when to take an ovulation test.

“I recommend patients start using them daily at around day 10 of their menstrual cycle,” says Zaher Merhi, MD, a reproductive endocrinology and infertility specialist and the founder of Rejuvenating Fertility Center.

What time of day should you take an ovulation test?

Experts agree that taking an ovulation test around the same time each day is more important than taking them later in the day.

That said, it’s best to use ovulation tests after 11:00 a.m., according to Zitao Liu, MD, PhD, a board certified OB-GYN and fertility doctor. This is when LH levels tend to be highest.

How long after a positive test do you ovulate?

Sekhon says that if you get a positive test result, you can expect to have an egg in your uterus within 36 hours.

If you have a positive LH test, you should time sex for the day or day after.

Is there anyone who shouldn’t use ovulation tests?

“Sekhon says that ovulation predictor kits aren’t ideal for those with very irregular, unpredictable cycles. It is not very efficient if you have to check every day. People with polycystic ovary syndrome tend to have high levels of hormones.”

“Merhi says that if you are taking any medications for fertility treatments, you shouldn’t use ovulation tests unless your doctor tells you. Some medications can be harmful.”

Can an ovulation test detect pregnancy?

“If you don’t have a pregnancy test on hand, an ovulation test can also detect a baby if it’s pregnant.”

“The hormones are different, and it is true that they have a similar structure. He doesn’t recommend using an ovulation test to check for pregnant women because of the chance of false positives.”

It can be hard to choose just one test. Some have more bells and whistles, such as apps and monitors, but simple ovulation strips will get the job done.

Most of the available choices are similar in terms of quality and accuracy. The test that is right for you depends on your needs, budget and preferences.

“If you are having trouble determining your ovulation schedule or are trying to conceive but haven’t gotten pregnant yet, you should get additional help from a doctor or healthcare professional.”

Julia Malacoff is a writer and editor who covers health and wellbeing. She is a certified personal trainer. She is walking her two cocker spaniels when she is not writing.