Fertilization and subsequent conception are simply impossible without a natural process in the female body called ovulation. Every representative of the fairer sex should know the meaning of this term. If you are planning a pregnancy, you should ask your doctor how to calculate ovulation. This is exactly what will be discussed further. The article will tell you what the symptoms of ovulation are in women. You will get acquainted with their features and learn about the nuances.
Symptoms of ovulation in women - do they always happen?
How often do women experience signs of egg release? Experts say that everything depends on the individual characteristics of the body. Some representatives of the fairer sex experience manifestations of this process every cycle. Others complain of similar symptoms from time to time. There are also women who have never noticed signs of an egg leaving the ovary.
Also, a lot depends on the sensitivity and pain threshold of the fairer sex. A woman’s attentiveness cannot be ignored. Many girls say that they have signs of ovulation. However, these are not observed in every menstrual cycle. Let's try to figure out what the symptoms of ovulation are and find out whether you can always determine them yourself.
Changing the temperature
Basal temperature is one of the most popular ways to track ovulation. If a woman is planning a child, then she is recommended to use this method. Days for conception are calculated using a regular thermometer. However, when taking measurements, many nuances must be taken into account.
Basal temperature is determined daily. In this case, the measurement time should be the same. If there is a discrepancy of about one hour, then the result may already be uninformative. You can use either a mercury or an electronic thermometer. However, it is better to give preference to special devices for rectal use. The measurement is carried out for three or five minutes. Before this, you cannot get up and be physically active.
You need to enter the received data in a notepad. Within a few days, a curved line will appear in front of you. In the first phase of the cycle, the basal temperature remains at 36-36.5 degrees. Within just a few days, the thermometer level drops. Immediately after the release of the egg from the ovary, a sharp rise in temperature occurs. Thus, the graph is divided into two parts. A clear transition between them becomes a sign of ovulation. It is worth noting that the temperature chart is influenced by excessive physical activity, sexual intercourse, alcohol consumption and other factors. All this must be taken into account when taking measurements.
Ovulation test stripes
Another symptom of an egg being released from the ovary is a positive test result. This study is also indicated for those women who are planning to have a baby. The days for conception are determined several times. In most cases, the package of such diagnostic devices contains from five to ten tests. The study must be carried out every day, starting from the day recommended by the manufacturer.
Stripes on an ovulation test appear if a woman has a sufficient level of luteinizing hormone in her body. Moreover, the higher the concentration of this substance in the urine of a representative of the fairer sex, the brighter the test strip will be. The control zone is designed to determine whether the test was performed correctly. The manufacturer of all devices of this type recommends performing diagnostics in the afternoon. So, the most suitable period for this is from 10 to 20 hours. It is at this time that the highest concentration of luteinizing hormone is observed in a woman’s body.
Determining ovulation using testing is a fairly popular and reliable method. However, before testing, you should not drink large amounts of liquid or urinate. Try to refrain from going to the toilet for 2-4 hours. When the stripes are equal in color or the test strip becomes brighter than the control strip, it means that ovulation will occur in the next 6-24 hours.
Discomfort
Many women experience pain during ovulation. However, not all representatives of the fairer sex celebrate them. In most cases, this discomfort lasts from six to eight hours. Some representatives of the fairer sex are very busy during this period and are not able to notice unpleasant sensations.
Pain during ovulation has the following origin. As the dominant follicle grows, the mucous membrane of the ovary stretches and irritation of the nerve endings occurs. When the bubble reaches the desired size, it bursts. This leads to severe damage to the ovarian wall. It is at this moment that a woman may notice discomfort in the lower abdomen.
Blood discharge
Symptoms of ovulation in women may include a small amount of spotting. Often, representatives of the fairer sex mistake the so-called daub for the beginning of a new cycle. However, the origin of such blood is completely different. If during menstruation blood is released along with the endometrium from the uterine cavity, then in the event of ovulation it comes out of the ovarian wall.
The explanation for this process is as follows. The female ovary is penetrated by many small vessels and capillaries. When its wall stretches, blood circulation increases. With the rupture of the bubble cavity, the smallest vessels burst. Droplets of released blood enter the uterus and descend into the vagina. When mixed with cervical mucus, the blood becomes lighter or brownish in color. This is what a woman sees on her underwear.
Mucous cervical fluid
How to calculate ovulation? You can simply observe your vaginal discharge. Most attentive women note a change in the nature of the mucus every month. You can find it on your underwear. Discharge increases after exercise or during bowel movements.
Immediately after the end of menstruation, dryness or slight vaginal discharge is most often observed. They look more like whitish drops of water. As the middle of the cycle approaches, mucus thins. Thus, the consistency of the cervical fluid becomes denser and more viscous. Many women and doctors compare it during this period to egg white. Fertile days begin during this period. The release of the egg will occur within a few days.
Increase libido
Signs of ovulation can be expressed by increased sexual desire. This happens due to hormonal changes. Nature designed it this way so that sexual intercourse occurs precisely during this period.
Determining ovulation based on this sign occurs on an intuitive level. A woman simply notices an increase in libido and an increase in sexual desire. On days like these, most of the fairer sex transform themselves and strive to look better.
Laboratory sign
Symptoms of ovulation in women can be reflected in the results of a blood test. So, if you want to track your fertile time, then simply submit material to determine the amount of luteinizing hormone in it. This study works on the principle of conventional ovulation tests. However, it is considered more accurate due to the fact that the level of a particular substance in the blood is always higher than in the urine.
It is almost impossible to independently determine this symptom. To do this, you need to visit the laboratory and take a blood test from a vein. The result can be obtained within a few hours. For a more accurate result, it is recommended to repeat the study the next day.
Follicle rupture and presence of corpus luteum
Another symptom of ovulation is the rupture of the cavity of the dominant follicle and the formation of a corpus luteum in its place. It is worth noting that such a sign can only be detected during ultrasound diagnostics.
It is worth noting that this study is considered the most accurate. So, if ovulation tests can sometimes be wrong, basal temperature is not always measured correctly, then ultrasound diagnostics shows the most accurate picture. During the examination, the doctor sees the female reproductive organs on the monitor. It is there that the specialist discovers the absence of a dominant follicle, in its place a corpus luteum is formed.
Cervical position
A symptom of ovulation is the special position of the cervix. It is worth noting that it is almost impossible to conduct research on your own. Surely you will not be able to understand exactly how the cervix is located. Doctors say that during self-diagnosis you can damage the vaginal mucosa or cause an infection. Trust the professionals. During the examination, the gynecologist will be able to most accurately assess the condition of the cervix and see its position.
Immediately after menstruation, the cervix goes down and remains like that until the fertile days begin. Before the egg leaves the ovary, it rises higher. Some women say that they simply cannot reach it on their own. This arrangement is necessary so that the man’s sperm can most easily and easily penetrate the cervical canal and reach the egg.
Summarizing
You now know the main symptoms of the release of an egg from the ovary. In most cases, this process has a pattern that is determined by the cycle. Ovulation can occur regularly (every month) or have some periodicity (anovulatory cycles). As you can see, the female body has many secrets and features. The signs of ovulation are not yet fully understood. Professors and experienced doctors continue to work on this issue.
If you are concerned about this issue or you are not sure that the follicle is rupturing, then you should contact a gynecologist. The doctor will prescribe the necessary tests for you and give recommendations on how to track ovulation. Follow the specialist's recommendations and be healthy!
Before ovulation, the highest levels of luteinizing hormone are observed, so the test indicates readiness for pregnancy.
There are two types of ovulation tests:
- Which are based on the results of a woman’s urine analysis.
- Reusable tests that use saliva as the test material.
There are some tests that require a blood test. But they are administered at a medical institution and are not always convenient to carry out. Therefore, homemade ones are more popular.
When can you start conceiving?
If after the test it shows that the ovulation process has already begun, you can start conceiving within 2-3 hours.
Many experts talk about 6-10 hours of waiting, but it is better not to delay the moment when you can get pregnant.
The main thing to remember is that the process of releasing an egg lasts only 24 hours, after which conception may not give a positive result.
Duration of the favorable period
Each woman's menstrual cycle is different, but the moment of ovulation and its duration are the same. This process takes from 12 to 48 hours.
Doctors who have been studying this process for many years claim that an egg can only be ready for fertilization within 24 hours. After which she loses her powers and leaves.
Important! Experts, speaking about favorable days for conception, warn about several days before and after ovulation, since depending on the activity of sperm, the process of conception may increase. During the ovulation period, increase the number of sexual intercourses to increase the chances of conception.
What if it didn't work out that day?
Having sexual intercourse on the days of ovulation does not mean 100% conception. There are some reasons why conception does not occur:
- Poor quality oocyte. This means that the egg is not mature enough or cannot perform its functions. If this happens once, it may be a one-time problem, but if this is a frequent pattern, you need to contact a specialist.
- Immature sperm. A man’s sperm is affected by many factors that significantly worsen their condition. If conception does not occur for more than 6 months, it is better to undergo additional examination.
- Various genetic conditions that affect the function and condition of the egg or sperm. This feature occurs in almost 30% of the population.
Important! Even if the partners are completely healthy, the process of conception can sometimes last for quite a long period. This should not be a cause for concern for the couple.
There are other reasons why pregnancy does not occur:
Sometimes couples who are trying to conceive a child complain that they are not using protection but cannot get pregnant. And this may be influenced by the following reasons: sexual intercourse did not coincide with the day of ovulation and the release of the egg, perhaps the uterus itself blocks the production of substances that the embryo needs.
To speed up the process of conception you need to follow these rules: 
- Proper diet. Eliminate alcohol and bad habits.
- Take tests, ultrasound, tests for hormones and compatibility with a partner.
- The break between sexual intercourse should be 2-3 days, because it is during this time that sperm have time to gain the required concentration.
- Replace heavy physical activity with light exercise or walking.
- Start taking folic acid and various vitamin supplements.
- If there was a long course of antibiotics, you need to increase the level of the immune system and eliminate hormonal imbalance.
Other determination methods
Since tests are not always available due to their high cost, there are methods that allow you to accurately determine the time of its onset. For example, measuring basal.
Every day, after the critical days have passed, you need to measure your temperature by holding a thermometer in your rectum. The temperature should be approximately 37 degrees. In the middle of the cycle it decreases, and during ovulation it rises to 37.4-37.6 degrees.
To make this method more convenient, you need to write down data in a special notepad. This chart will allow you to see the exact period of ovulation. Gynecologists recommend recording the sensations that a woman feels during a given period. This helps in the following months to determine the days of ovulation only by symptoms.
The pharmacy has special devices that show hormone levels and determine ovulation by analyzing saliva. This is very convenient because the device can be used many times, and this method, although expensive, will give an accurate result.
Causes of a false positive result
A false positive result can occur for various reasons. In particular, an incorrect result often occurs due to abortion, or vice versa, after pregnancy, when hormone levels can remain high for several months.
Also, interruptions in the hormonal system and long-term use of strong antibiotics can affect the result.
A false result may occur due to severe stress or emotional trauma experienced. It is in such cases that many women may experience false ovulation, which provokes the release of an egg.
A false result is influenced by , and the test result is positive.
Doctors believe that one of the main reasons is ovarian depletion, kidney failure, and a sharp change in diet (for example, switching to vegetarianism). Disruptions of the menstrual cycle and its prolonged absence have a significant impact.
Ovulation is a rather complex process that requires detailed study and observation. If a couple decides to conceive a child, they must first consult a doctor.
Then regularly monitor your menstrual cycle and use ovulation tests, which will show the most favorable days for conception.
The test can be purchased at any pharmacy or use a thermometer to measure basal temperature. It is worth remembering that pregnancy is not always successful the first time you try to conceive. Many factors, such as stress and the individual characteristics of a woman or man’s body, can influence the results.
In the age of technology, more and more women are using tests to determine the date of ovulation, since this is one of the most accurate methods of determining the amount of hormones that increase before the day the egg is released. Despite the ease of use of test strips, difficulties often arise in deciphering them. But even more questions arise when a positive ovulation test is clearly visible or the color of the second mark is faintly visible. Most don't know what to do next.
In this article, we will try to tell you all the nuances regarding the correct decoding of the result, and suggest further actions in case of a positive or negative answer.
When to take the test: understanding the intricacies
In order not to miss the desired day, you need to know when to start testing. And to do this, you first need to calculate the duration of your cycle. On average, the duration of the cycle for most is 28 days, however, there are also longer cycles or, conversely, shorter.
If you have a stable period, it won’t be difficult to find out your cycle. You just need to count the days from the beginning of the previous menstruation until the last day before the next “red” days. The number of all days will constitute a complete menstrual cycle, on the basis of which the day of ovulation is then calculated.
If the cycle is unstable, the minimum period is taken as a basis.
When choosing the day of the beginning of the ovulatory period, it is necessary to subtract the number 17 from the total number of days of the cycle. The resulting number will be the day from which the study should begin.
The number 17 was taken according to certain calculations. In any cycle, the second phase has a constant period, which is 14 days from the moment of ovulation to the start of menstruation. And the duration of the first phase depends on the individual characteristics of the woman’s body, and can be different, so it is not taken into account. 3 more days are added to 14, this is the period during which ovulation occurs. So we get – 14 plus 3 equals 17 days.
Using the example of a cycle lasting 26 days, it looks like this: subtract 17 from 26, we get 9. This means that already on the 9th day you need to carry out the first test.
For other cycles the picture will be as follows:
- a 24-day cycle is tested on day 7;
- for a 28-day cycle, the study is carried out from day 11;
- for a 32-day period, the test is done from the 15th day.
Testing can be done daily or every other day, but the duration must be at least 5 days or until a positive result. Those wishing to conceive a child can do this twice a day.
In the video you can see what methods exist to determine the ovulatory period.
How to use ovulation test strips: do it right
The method for determining ovulation is similar to pregnancy testing. The difference between the strips is only in the reagents, which in the first case react to increased luteinizing hormone, and in the second - to human chorionic gonadotropin.
To give a reliable result, you must follow a few simple rules when using strips:
- It is better to conduct research between 10:00 am and 8:00 pm;
- the first morning urine is not suitable for research;
- reduce fluid intake before the test;
- choose the same time for research on all days;
- do not urinate for 3–4 hours before urine collection;
- do not take hormonal drugs, as they affect performance;
- carry out hygiene procedures before collection;
- Take a sterile container for urine.
The testing process itself goes like this:
- Dip the strip into a container with freshly collected urine to the indicated mark.
- Hold for 5 seconds.
- Set the test strip aside for 10–15 minutes.
- They look at the result.
In the case of the jet test, only the first point changes - the strip is placed under the stream during urination. The remaining points remain unchanged.
When using a tablet test, you will need to draw urine from a container into a pipette and drop it into the corresponding hole on the device. Then he will show the result himself.
More details on how to use the test can be seen in the video below:
Each test strip is impregnated with a special substance, which changes color when it comes into contact with luteinizing hormone. This hormone is constantly present in small quantities. However, 1-2 days before the release of the egg, its level increases sharply, due to which the test will show a positive result - two stripes will be equally brightly colored.
When one of the marks is less intensely colored, this means that the amount of the hormone is insufficient. This result is considered negative. The absence of the second mark indicates that the test is unsuitable.
If the ovulation test shows a positive response, it is recommended to repeat the test after 4-5 hours to confirm the result. If the second mark, upon repeated examination, becomes just as bright or its color becomes even more intense, it means that the amount of the hormone has reached its peak, and ovulation can be expected within a few hours or the next day.
If testing was carried out for the purpose of conception, then 2 clearly visible stripes are exactly the desired result when you need to start taking action. But you can repeat the study to be sure of the veracity of the event.
Although ovulation is a one-day process, the test shows a positive response 12–48 hours before its onset. Then the luteinizing hormone will decrease and the reagent will not react to it as much.
If the test is positive, conception is possible within the next 48 hours. But do not forget that after release the cell lives only 24 hours, which means the best time for conception is before or at the time of ovulation, and not after it. After all, sperm also need several hours to get to the meeting place. In addition, they live much longer than the egg, and will certainly be able to wait for its release.
It turns out that after receiving the desired two clear stripes, sexual intercourse should be carried out for 2-3 days in a row in order to be sure to conceive a girl or boy. By the way, the sex of the child, according to some sources, also depends on the chosen time of conception: if sex took place before ovulation, a girl will be born, and after or on that day a boy will be born. But it is impossible to guarantee the result, since many factors influence the process of formation of the child’s gender.
It often happens that the second mark is lighter than the first (control). This result is especially alarming if this happens throughout the entire cycle or for several months in a row.
If an ovulation test shows a weak second line for several days in a row, this may mean three options:
- The cell has not yet left the follicle.
- Anovulatory cycle.
- Physiologically, a woman does not have enough hormone, so the strip reacts poorly, and this result is considered positive.
When the ovulation test is weakly positive throughout the cycle, the reasons for this are as follows:
- taking hormonal or contraceptive medications;
- hormonal disbalance;
- violation of testing rules;
- sudden change in weight;
- there was a stressful situation or depression;
- defective test strips;
- drink a lot of fluid before the test;
- lack of ovulation in this cycle.
When one strip is bright, while the second is barely noticeable for 2-3 cycles in a row, you should visit a doctor. In this case, the woman will be prescribed folliculometry, blood and urine tests for hormones and, if necessary, an ultrasound scan.
Don't panic if your ovulation test shows a negative result. The reasons may be hidden not only in anovulatory cycles. There are often cases when the color of the 2nd stripe was weakly expressed, and after a while pregnancy is discovered. Why does this happen?
The first reason may be insufficient concentration of the hormone, even in the presence of ovulation. In this case, testing will not give a positive answer, but it is possible to get pregnant.
It happens that it is 37.2 degrees, but the test is negative. Most likely, the moment of ovulation was missed, and the temperature had already risen or pregnancy had occurred. In this case, on the 12th day after ovulation, you can try a pregnancy test.
If on the 16th day of a 28-day cycle the test is negative, then there is a high probability of an anovulatory period, which normally can occur 1-2 times a year in any woman. In this case, it is impossible to get pregnant.
Sometimes a negative ovulation test can hide other reasons, which only a specialist can identify with correct diagnosis.
Conclusion
An ovulation detection test helps not only to find out the day of maturation and release of the egg, but can also be a signal of health problems. If, with a positive result, there is no pregnancy or several cycles in a row the test shows a weakly positive response, this is a serious reason to consult a doctor. Any delay may threaten infertility or the onset of an inflammatory process.
Using pharmacy ovulation tests is much more convenient than measuring basal temperature, and more reliable than calculating the approximate time of its onset. But how accurate are these tests really? Is it really possible to calculate the favorable time for conception using them? And is it common to have a false positive ovulation test?
The urine hormone test works in the same way as the already well-known pregnancy test. The scheme for using it is also very similar; for additional details you should refer to the instructions. Here we will look at when an ovulation test gives a positive result, and how to interpret the appearance of stripes in different cases.
The principle of the test is based on the fact that luteinizing hormone, which is responsible for the maturation of the egg and its release from the follicle, reaches its peak level in the body approximately one day before ovulation. Usually, but not always, its concentration is very low throughout the rest of the cycle. Under normal conditions, ovulation after a positive test occurs within 24 hours. This means that sexual intercourse to conceive a child should be performed as soon as a positive test result is obtained.
However, when it is time to use a test is not as obvious as with a pregnancy test. Only theoretically, ovulation occurs exactly in the middle of the monthly cycle. That's why the package contains as many as five test sticks, not just one.
With a constant cycle length, the test begins to be used 17 days before the onset of menstruation. Because 17 days is the maximum fixed length of the postovulatory phase, and the preovulatory phase can be of different lengths. If the duration of the monthly cycle is irregular, it is proposed to take the shortest cycle over the last six months and subtract 17 from its duration.
But problems with conception mainly occur in women with irregular cycles, and the test should help determine the moment of ovulation. Therefore, in the first month of using the test, you should not completely rely on its results and expect that you will immediately see the coveted two stripes. With its help, you will have to study your body and find out at what time it is most likely to expect the maturation of the egg.
It is also not uncommon for a false-positive or false-negative ovulation test to occur, since the result is influenced by several factors. In general, the test is most accurate when combined with basal temperature measurement and is good as a simpler alternative to this method on some days.
False positive and false negative
Luteinizing hormone is rapidly destroyed, and its content in the urine may be more or less than the actual content in the blood. The concentration of the hormone may increase if a woman has not gone to the toilet for a long time, and decrease if the kidneys have had to remove too much fluid in the last few hours. An overestimated concentration relative to the real one usually only introduces an error in determining the date of ovulation, but an underestimated concentration will give a false negative result.
- do not use the first morning urine for the test,
- do not drink a lot of fluids on testing days,
- carry out the test between 10.00 and 20.00.
The test result is influenced by the general state of the hormonal system. If the ovulation test is always positive, it is worth checking the condition of the ovaries, as this may be the result of a cyst. The test is not useful if you are taking hCG injections. Also, a false-positive ovulation test appears in many diseases of the hormonal system, in kidney disease, immediately after stopping taking contraceptive medications and with a sudden change in diet to a dietary one.
When fertilization has occurred, but the pregnancy test has not yet worked, the ovulation test will also show a positive result.
In general, these tests are not yet as advanced as pharmacy pregnancy tests, so you will have to find out for yourself whether the results are reliable in your case. After all, difficulties with conception are very often a consequence of improper functioning of the body’s endocrine system, loss of strength and poor diet, as well as other conditions in which the ovulation test gives an erroneous result.
How to improve the accuracy of an ovulation test?
As mentioned above, the test becomes much more reliable if you combine it with other methods of determining the time of ovulation. If you regularly used the method of measuring basal temperature before using the test, you will know approximately how your cycle progresses and when to expect a positive and correct ovulation test.
There is an option when the growth of the follicle is monitored in the clinic, through ultrasound, and after that they switch to home tests. This is smarter than using an ovulation test during the period of expected ovulation for several days in a row. The fact is that the test is quite expensive, and if you have irregular menstruation, you may need up to two packs per month.
The test should be done twice a day so as not to miss the time of peak concentration of luteinizing hormone. Even with an irregular cycle, ovulation or the appearance of the first spotting occurs each time at approximately the same time of day. You yourself know from experience that menstruation usually begins in the morning, afternoon or evening.
The concentration of the hormone in the blood decreases very quickly, so using the test twice during the day will help you find out when your peak usually occurs. After this, you can use tests more sparingly, only once a day and at a time close to the onset of the peak.
To minimize other factors, we recommend that you always use tests from the same manufacturer and strictly follow the instructions on the packaging. It is worth paying attention to sensitivity: too high a sensitivity can give incorrect results just like too low. Therefore, you should start with tests with an average sensitivity of 25 MIU.
Interpretation of the result and your further actions
In the manufacturer's instructions, you will find that if the second line on the test is paler than the control line, the hormone has not yet been released. If the second stripe is darker, there has been a surge, and ovulation will soon occur. The first line always appears if the test is used correctly.
Some women note that they were able to get a positive ovulation test and determine when ovulation occurred, but the strip was always paler or darker. The fact that the strip is always darker can be explained by the interference of other hormones, to which the test also reacts. A fainter line occurs if you cannot “catch” the peak of the hormone release or if the test is not sensitive enough. In general, the same factors that give a false positive or negative result interfere here, but they are not as strong.
With the help of an ovulation test, they sometimes try to plan the sex of the child. It is known that it is more likely to conceive a boy when sexual intercourse occurs a day before ovulation, and a girl – a few days before.
An ovulation test is a modern, effective method for determining the favorable period to conceive a child. This method is very simple, and any woman can put it into practice.
Not only can this test work for its intended purpose in helping you plan a pregnancy, but it can also be used as a method of natural contraception, helping you determine the days when it is best to avoid intimacy.
The principle of the test is based on determining as accurately as possible the moment when ovulation occurs. Ovulation refers to the phase of a woman's menstrual cycle when the egg matures, becomes ready for fertilization, and is released from the dominant follicle into the fallopian tube, where it can meet the sperm.
The test is based on the fact that before ovulation, a sharp jump in the level of luteinizing hormone (LH) occurs in the female body, which is easiest to detect for testing in urine. And this jump in hormonal levels occurs 24-36 hours before the onset of ovulation. The point of the test is to accurately determine the moment when the level of luteinizing hormone in the urine is at its highest.
Types of tests
The following types are most often encountered and used in practice:
- The test strip is very similar in appearance to a regular pregnancy test. It needs to be lowered for 5-8 seconds into a clean container with urine, and then placed on a flat and dry surface. You can view the test result in 3-5 minutes.
- The midstream test must, after first freeing it from the protective cap, be placed under a stream of urine for 5 seconds, while the urine should fall on a special surface, which is indicated by arrows or otherwise. After completing this procedure, the test must be placed on a dry, flat surface, before closing the cap back. The result can be seen in 10 minutes.
There are more advanced versions of the ovulation test, including electronic ones. But they are quite expensive, although they differ in the most accurate results. It is best to carry out testing with their help several days in a row at the same time (preferably not in the morning, but before lunch, and you should refrain from going to the toilet for 3-4 hours). 
How to use an ovulation test is described in detail in the instructions for use, and the method of use directly depends on the type of test.
General instructions for using the ovulation test
Step 1. When is the best time to take the test??
If a woman has regular periods and the cycle length is the same every month, then the approximate day of ovulation can be easily determined. It occurs 14 days before menstruation, but you need to start testing to determine the LH surge in the urine a little in advance - 2-3 days before expected ovulation or even earlier. Thus, from the first day of the next menstruation, you need to count back 16-18 days on the calendar - this date will be the day when you need to start doing ovulation tests.
If the monthly cycle has a different length each time, then to calculate the start day of testing you need to use the shortest cycle in duration.
It is advisable to carry out testing in the first half of the day, but do not use the first morning urine for the test.
Step-2. Which test to choose?
You can choose any test available at your pharmacy. The most common are Frautest, both in the form of test strips and cassettes. Most often there are several pieces in a set, and this is very convenient, since they can be used for testing over several days.
Step-3. How do an ovulation test correctly?
To do this, carefully study the instructions and do everything exactly as it is written. There may be two options depending on the selected test:
- or lower the test strip into the container with urine to the mark,
- or place the marked area of the test cassette under a stream of urine.
In both cases, the procedure takes about 5 seconds, after which you need to place the test on a dry, flat surface. You can see the result in about 5 minutes.
Step-4. How to decipher the test result?
To determine the result, you need to compare the resulting strip with the control one. If they are the same in brightness, then the test gave a positive result, and ovulation will occur very soon (in about 24-36 hours). This means that in a day or two you can successfully become pregnant. If the strip is paler than the control line, then ovulation is still far away, and it is worth repeating the test in 12-24 hours. 
When can pregnancy be determined after ovulation?
Many women are interested in when to take a pregnancy test after ovulation, that is, how quickly you can get reliable results of tests and analyses. The thing is that the level of the hormone, the content of which indicates the presence of pregnancy - human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) - does not increase as quickly as LH before ovulation, and the fastest reliable results can be achieved only by taking a blood test. With the help of such an analysis, it is possible to determine the onset of pregnancy 6-10 days after ovulation, that is, even before possible menstruation.
The level of hCG in urine is two times lower than in the blood, and the maximum level of this hormone will be reached only 8-10 weeks after pregnancy. Therefore, it is recommended to use pregnancy tests only after a delay in menstruation, that is, 15-16 days after ovulation and later.
Ovulation tests - How to determine at home?
