Home Fertility Testing Kits
Home fertility testing kits have been available for many years. At first they were mainly used by couples who had been diagnosed with fertility-related problems. But now they have become much more user friendly and very simple to use, and many people use them to help predict when they have the best chances of conceiving.
The home kits used to test for ovulation are generally called ovulation prediction kits (OPK). The ovulation prediction kits work by measuring the amount of LH in your urine, enabling you to time intercourse to achieve pregnancy. They work very simply. You simply urinate directly on the stick and read the results window according to the directions included with the kits.
Do I have to urinate on the stick?
No, there is another way to use the ovulation prediction kit if you find urinating on the stick a bit tricky. Simply urinate into a clean paper cup or sterile container and dip the absorbent end of the test stick into the your urine for ten seconds. (Do not freeze or save your urine as it will affect the results.)
There are many different companies that sell ovulation prediction kits. You do not need a prescription to purchase them. They can usually be found wherever pregnancy tests are sold at your local store.
There are slight differences between brands of test kits. You may wish to talk to others who have used home ovulation prediction kits to see if they can offer any recommendations, but remember there are personal preferences as well as clinical differences in the kits. You can also ask your practitioner which kit he or she recommends.
Ovulation prediction kits do have expiration dates. Check the bottom or side of the package and select a kit that is not near its expiration date. Expired kits may not be accurate for testing.
The costs of the kits can vary greatly. Most kits offer only enough test sticks to get you through one cycle. If you have variations in your cycle length, you may need to use more sticks than you expected. If it takes you multiple cycles to achieve pregnancy, these kits can get quite expensive. Because of this, some women choose reusable testing methods.
When using your ovulation testing kits, you should not be taking any medications that may negatively affect the results. You can get false positives from certain medications like hMG, Clomiphene (otherwise known as Clomid), and hCG. The results may also be unreliable if you have ovarian cysts or if you have recently had a miscarriage. It is best to check with your practitioner prior to using these kits to ensure you know how the specifics of your health could interfere with the testing results.
