how to use ovulation kit?

How to Use Ovulation Test Strips to Predict Your Most Fertile Days

ovulation test strips, hand holding ovulation test strip
Learn more about ovulation test strips, or ovulation predictor kits, to pinpoint when you should try to conceive.
In This Article

What are ovulation test strips and how do they work?
How do you use ovulation strips to predict your most fertile days of the month?
How accurate are ovulation test strips?
How much do ovulation test strips cost and are they covered by insurance?
Are there any downsides or risks of using ovulation strips?

If you | re trying to conceive, you | re probably familiar with the basics of ovulation: Once each month, a mature egg is released from one of the ovaries and is available to be fertilized. This 12- to 24-hour window is when your fertility peaks, making it the best time to have sex when you | re trying for a baby.

Ovulation occurs in the middle of the menstrual cycle. But every woman | s cycle is different, and your own ovulation can vary from month to month. There are several ways to figure out when you | re ovulating, and ovulation test strips are one of the best options out there. Here | s a look at how they work, how to use them and whether they | re right for you.
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What are ovulation test strips and how do they work?

Ovulation test strips or ovulation predictor kits (OPKs) are at-home tests you can use to determine when you | re ovulating. Because you | re most fertile during ovulation, the kits can help increase your chances for success when you | re trying to conceive.

Ovulation test strips work by measuring levels of luteinizing hormone (LH) in your urine. A rise in LH signals the ovary to release an egg — so when your levels reach a certain threshold, it | s safe to assume that ovulation will occur within the next 12 to 36 hours.
How do you use ovulation strips to predict your most fertile days of the month?

It | s easy: All you have to do is pee on a stick or strip (or pee in a cup and dip the stick or strip into the cup) and wait a few minutes for the indicator to appear. If the test line shows up darker than the control line, you | re about to ovulate. (There are always low levels of LH in your body, so if the test line shows up but appears lighter or fainter than the control line, you | re not ovulating yet. Using an ovulation test strip with a digital readout can eliminate this confusion altogether.)