By definition, ovulation is the process of an ovary releasing an egg from the follicle - permitting the egg to float down the fallopian tubes. Directly prior to ovulation, a dramatic hormonal change takes place - the LH Surge. LH (or Luteinizing Hormone) is the hormone that actually facilitates ovulation: it causes the egg to separate from the ovarian surface. Ovulation predictor tests function by detecting this LH Surge, thus alerting the woman that ovulation is imminent.

Generally, ovulation will take place 12-48 hours after the LH surge is first detected (using afternoon urine samples), though 36 hours is considered to be the average length of time following the LH surge.

Most people will ovulate 12-48 hours after the LH surge is detected, most common is 36 hours after the actual surge. One should get a bit more notice, 24-48 hours, by testing in the afternoon.

It's best to have intercourse the day of the LH surge and the two days after. Also consider "insurance" sex for one more day in case you ovulate late. Perfect timing would be to have had intercourse the day before the LH surge as well, but that can be hard to predict for those with an irregular cycle. If you don't know when you might ovulate, having sex every other day from cycle day 10 through a positive OPK.

Most doctors will do an intra-uterine insemination (IUI) the day after the LH surge, or about 36 hours after it is detected. With a vaginal insemination, or an intra-cervical insemination (ICI) in someone with good fertile mucus, the day of the surge may be preferable. Many doctors are now doing two inseminations per cycle. Check the IUI FAQ.

It is possible to miss the surge. If you have a test line that is fairly dark one day then very light the next, you may have missed the actual surge. If your thermal shift occurs, you probably ovulated. It may be a good idea to test twice a day when you feel that you are close to ovulating. Another possibility is that you didn't hold your urine long enough (resulting in a diluted sample).

It is recommended to have intercourse the day of the LH surge and the two days following. Most women conceive from intercourse prior to ovulation. There can be special circumstances where you would be advised to not have intercourse all three days. Please consult your doctor if your partner has a low or borderline sperm count.

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Ovulation is the release of an egg by the woman's ovary. In almost every menstrual cycle, the woman's ovary releases an egg. There are thousands of eggs inside the woman's ovaries. The natural chemicals in her body trigger the development of one of these eggs every cycle. When the egg is ready to be fertilized, it comes out of the ovary and travels down the woman's tubes to her uterus. If the man's sperm has fertilized it, the egg can attach itself to the uterus and the woman is pregnant.

The correct cycle starting date may have been miscalculated, or one of the above factors may have influenced test results. Each test cassette has built in quality controls which make a defective test highly unlikely. Recalculate your cycle test start date and repeat the testing in the next menstrual cycle. If the LH surge is still not detected, you may wish to consult a physician. An insufficient amount of urine has been dropped in the sample well on the cassette.

You do not need to continue testing once the LH surge has been identified. You may save any unused tests for future testing, however be certain not to open the sealed pouch of any test prior to immediate use to avoid possible contamination the sensitive testing area membrane.

No. Each test result should be read independently of any other test. When the LH surge occurs, that particular day’s test will show positive results. No. All urine based LH tests are intended to be used with each test independent from any other test. Once a positive test is obtained testing should be stopped. the LH surge has begun. Test results, including the color or intensity of test or control lines, cannot be compared or correlated one test to another.

Do your ovulation detection kits using first morning urine. The morning that you have your positive surge call our office between 8-10 AM to schedule the insemination for the following morning. If this is a weekend, we will have a nurse or physician available during these times to take your call. If you reach the call phone voicemail, please leave a detailed message including phone number where we can return your call and we will call you back.

Guessing isn't good enough. Because your body is unique, you cannot rely on "usual" or "average" predictions. These products offer a scientific clinical approach that will enable you to learn when you are ovulating, and thus enable you to make informed decisions about family planning.

The signs of ovulation can be any of the following, although many women may only notice one or two of these:

There are several causes of ovulation failure. These are explained in full in the causes of ovulation failure section.

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